Before starting any drilling operation, it is essential to locate all underground obstacles, obstructions, and hazards. On US projects, we use the “One Call” system extensively—it accurately locates utilities along the bore path from entry to exit.

We precisely locate the rig and drilling assembly, together with the location of all existing underground utilities/obstacles. Then we factor in the nature of the obstructions as they may influence the guidance data transmitted from the downhole probe located near the bit.

Drilling In 3D.

Our 3D geometric software provides data to plot the bore path along with surface and sub-surface features, such as roadways, plants, utilities, easements, or airports.

The entire instrument system includes a downhole probe, surface readout system and a 3D geometric software data processing system which computes the drill bit location from probe data and input from the surveyor of drilling data.

In conditions where magnetic interference exists, a coil is laid out on the ground surface to generate a magnetic field, which is measured by the downhole probe. This greatly increases the accuracy and integrity of the data. Typically measurement precision is better than 2% of borehole depth.

The data collected includes, inclination tool face and azimuth at the downhole probe location. The processed data provides the reference inputs to the driller, which enables the bore path to be precisely drilled to the target trajectory.