Depth Control

Training Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
1) Explain the importance of depth control
2) Explain how wireline determines the Measured depth
3) Where can you check depth control in the log
4) How to define Total Depth Logger and First Readings

3 Initials
10/18/22
Wireline QHSE Standard 5
Depth Control
 Depth is the fundamental measurement made by
Schlumberger Wireline
 It is critical to our clients’ business
 It is critical that depth be measured in a systematic way, with
an auditable record of traceability
 Ultimately the goal of this standard is to ensure that the
Schlumberger Wireline depth measurement is recognized as
the best in the industry.

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10/18/22
Depth Control - Importance

 Correlation between wells

 Geological markers
 Casing points
 Reservoir Delineation
 Monitoring of OWC & GOC

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10/18/22
Driller’s Depth

Driller’s depth is the first depth information the client receives

It is the total length of the drillpipe, drill collars, casing joints
and production tubing lowered from the drill floor

6 Initials
10/18/22
 Measured Depth
• It is the distance between a part of the tool (tool depth) and a surface
reference (zero reference)

Acquisition system
IDW
cable travel sensor
DF
Logging Unit Derrick Floor
Cable

GL
Tool ZERO reference Ground level
(client)
MEASURED DEPTH MSL
Mean Sea Level
7
Tool DEPTH
Commonly used elevations and permanent datum for log depth reference

8
Schlumberger depth accuracy

• Accuracy: +/- 5ft in 10,000 ft (0.05%)

• Repeatability: +/- 2ft in 10,000 ft (0.02%)

9
Essentials of Depth Control Procedure
 Calibrated IDW is the primary depth measurement
 Wheel Slippage is detected and compensated by surface
acquisition system
 No need for magnetic marks (non-mandatory)
 Other effects

 Cable stretch due to friction  Height of travelling block

 Temperature effects  Lower sheave chain tensioning
 Length of cable between rig and  Yoyo effect
unit

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IDW Calibrator
As per policy, the WC is determined by
Calibrating the IDW for the specific type
of cable.

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10/18/22
IDW Calibration

 Use the IDWC-A system

 Every time a wheel, encoder or component is replaced
 Every 6 months, 50 well site trips, or 500 kFOW
 IDW Calibration Data are recorded

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10/18/22
Slippage -> Encoder Slip Correction

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10/18/22
Other – Depth Control Procedure

First Run in Hole

1. Zero the tools
2. Record RULS
3. Record RULB
4. Calculate stretch corrections
5. Re - Zero tools

14 Initials
Zeroing the Tool

 Tool’s Zero Reference is usually the bottom of the toolstring

 Client’s Depth Reference Point is usually
– Drill Floor (DF)
– Rotary Table (Kelly Bushing) (KB)
 Adjust the tool’s zero reference point at the Client’s Depth Reference
 All Elevations are normally referenced to a Permanent Datum:
– Mean Sea Level
– Ground Level

**Tide correction should be applied, if relevant.

15 Initials
Zero

16 Initials
RULS: Rig Up Length at Surface

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10/18/22
RULB: Rig Up Length at Bottom
RUL
B

RULS

 The difference is due to slack, unit movement or traveling

block movement.
 If the difference is > 1 ft, Investigate.
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Stretch

Log Down vs Log Up  Policy

 (use down log as reference log)

Empirical method  Estimate

 DL = 1/2 x L x E x (Tup - Tdown)

19 Initials
Stretch: Log UP vs Log DOWN

Should you add or subtract the 4 ft?

Add !!
20
Depth Control Procedures

Logging Up Procedures
 Log up without making any further corrections
 Re-check Tool zero at surface
– (Within +/-2ft over 10,000 ft of total travel)

21 Initials
• How do we enter all this information in the system?

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WFDD

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10/18/22
WFDD Depth Setup

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WFDD Alarms

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• What happens if its is NOT the 1st log of the well?

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10/18/22
Depth Control Procedures

Subsequent Logs (First Trip)

 Zero
 RIH & check depth Systems
 Correlate to the first run within 1 ft and log
 Depth should agree to +/-2 ft
 Re-zero

27 Initials
Depth Control Procedures

Subsequent Trips
 Agree on Reference Log with Customer
 Repeat all procedures for first run
 Correlate at the previous run’s TD
– If Difference is less than 5 ft/ 10,000 ft - Adjust Depth to match reference log
– If Difference is greater than 5 ft / 10,000 ft - Investigate
 Proceed to TD and adjust for stretch
 Logging pass should overlap with reference log by ~ 200 ft.

28 Initials
• Where I can find all this information in the log?

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Traceability
Depth Summary Listing
 Predefined format for capture of depth specific data
 Depth parameters are written to DLIS file
 DSL record is included in the log print (header)
 *.wdl file is generated by WFDD, excellent troubleshooting device,
especially in pull-offs.
Depth and Tension Measuring Devices
 Use of IDW Calibrator is mandatory
 Tension device calibration coefficients recorded

30 Initials
Depth Summary Listing

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• What happens if I loose both encoders?

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10/18/22
Depth Control Aids
The ‘Z’ Chart
Well Sketch Well :
Dog-legs : Date :
Restrictions: Run Number:

Magnetic
Marks Note the position of first wrap

Write cable wrap depths on

the way down

Check cable wrap

depths on the way up

Spool the cable correctly

33
Total Depth Logger

 Observe tension pickup. This

is Total Depth at tool zero.
 Add length of tools below tool
zero, if there are any. This is
Total Depth Logger
Tension Pick-up = Total Depth

Sensor 1 Sensor 2
Tension

34 Initials
First Readings

 Subtract measure point of First

Reading
each sensor from Total Depth. Sensor2

This is First Reading

 The FR of the lowest sensor is First
Reading
15ft
the actual bottom of the log Sensor1

( the lowest useable reading). 8.5ft

Tension Pick-up = Total Depth
This is called Bottom Log
Interval (BLI)

Sensor 1 Sensor 2
Tension
Sensor Measure Point To Tool Zero

SEN1 8.5ft SEN2 15ft

35 Initials
How much rat hole do you need?
TD driller = 10000 ft

Tools string = 87 ft

First readings (FT):

SP =1
AIT PEX =8
LSS =28
TLD PEX =43
PEF PEX =43
MCFL PEX =43 pies
CAL PEX (Caliper): 43
CNL PEX = 55
GR PEX (Gamma Ray): 61

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10/18/22
Training Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
1) Explain the importance of depth control
2) Explain how wireline determines the Measured depth
3) Where can you check depth control in the log
4) How to define Total Depth Logger and First Readings

37 Initials
10/18/22