NOV and Well ID Deliver Breakthrough in Borehole Imaging While Drilling

The breakthrough combines the wired drill pipe network from NOV's Downhole Broadband Solutions (DBS) with Well ID's proven 4D Caliper Borehole Imaging Tool, creating a new level of real-time wellbore intelligence for drilling operations.

Well ID's logging-while-drilling technology delivers highly accurate measurements of borehole shape and size in both open- and cased-hole wellbores. These measurements provide insights into overburden and reservoir mechanical properties, support fluid and cement volume calculations, and monitor casing wear, all important to ensuring well integrity.

Prior to the integration with NOV's downhole broadband network, data from the 4D Caliper tool was recorded downhole and analyzed only after the tool was retrieved to surface-a process that delayed the identification and resolution of potential downhole issues by several days.

But by integrating the tool into the broadband network, users from the drilling rig to remote operating centers gain immediate access to dynamic wellbore conditions through real-time, high-definition imaging and caliper data. Such access affords faster and more informed decision-making to mitigate drilling challenges early, before they escalate to larger issues requiring more expensive solutions.

The collaboration emerged during offshore drilling projects in the North Sea, where the two companies recognized an opportunity to combine their technologies.

"We were already passing wire through Well ID's caliper tool to reach tools further down the drillstring," said Torstein Thingnaes, Manager, Downhole Broadband Solutions Products at NOV. "It didn't take long for customers to see the benefits of integrating the 4D Caliper tool directly into our network, eliminating the need to pull the tool to perform the analysis."

In another industry first, the 4D Caliper tool can be installed in the middle of the wired drillstring-not just on the bottomhole assembly (BHA). This capability is unique within the industry, where most logging tools are placed near or integrated into the BHA.

Some applications deliver real-time downhole insight, while others fundamentally change how operations are executed through instant bi-directional communication and control. Together, they help operators improve performance, reduce risk, and maximize hydrocarbon recovery.

This first-of-its-kind deployment is already delivering benefits for operators in the North Sea, representing a significant advancement in wellbore visualization and management. Real-time access to high-resolution borehole imaging and caliper data supports earlier detection of wellbore instability, more informed drilling and tripping decisions, reduced nonproductive time, and improved overall wellbore quality.

This successful integration demonstrates the value that a high-bandwidth platform brings to enabling safer, smarter, and more efficient drilling operations. And as operators keep looking to improve drilling efficiencies with real-time data, NOV will continue to explore new opportunities for integrating third-party tools into its downhole broadband ecosystem.