Halliburton begins Radian geosteering service
Oilfield service provider Halliburton’s subsidiary, Sperry Drilling, has launched a Radian geosteering service that uses gamma ray detection to provide real-time azimuthal borehole images and continuous inclination measurements. The service will allow operators to place wellbores more accurately for reservoir contact and to reduce costs per BOE. The Radian tool, which uses four gamma ray detectors, is compatible with all drilling systems, and can be used alone or positioned in bottom holes alongside other Sperry Drilling services.
Sperry Drilling, a Halliburton business, has released its RadianTM azimuthal gamma ray and inclination service – a geosteering solution that provides real time, high quality borehole images and continuous inclination measurements. This information helps operators accurately place the wellbore in the sweet spot for increased production and lower costs per BOE in unconventional plays.

The Radian service uses four highly sensitive gamma ray detectors that are arranged evenly around the circumference of the tool to generate real time azimuthal images, whether rotating or not, for greater reservoir insight. This provides operators with enhanced data to assist in real time geosteering decision making for optimal well placement and better reservoir contact, even when drilling with a mud motor. The optional inclinometer package continuously monitors the orientation of the well and helps minimise wellbore tortuosity.

The Radian tool design is compatible with all drilling systems, including high torque motors and rotary steerable systems. For maximum flexibility, the tool can run standalone or positioned anywhere in the bottom hole assembly in combination with any Sperry Drilling M/LWD service. Applications include high pressure, high temperature environments up to 20 000 psi (138 MPa) and 347°F (175°C).

In the Bakken shale play, where there is little gamma ray contrast between formation layers, an operator recently deployed the Radian service and gained greater insight into the stratigraphic movement of the wellbore. Unlike conventional gamma ray tools, the superior borehole images from the Radian service revealed previously unseen features, giving the operator a clearer understanding of the geological structure and position of the well. This resulted in cost savings by avoiding more expensive LWD options.

“We developed the Radian service to provide operators with greater reservoir insight compared to traditional gamma ray tools,” said Lamar Duhon, vice president of Sperry Drilling. “In collaboration with our customers, we engineered this solution to deliver real time, high quality gamma ray images to help our customers make better geosteering decisions for optimal wellbore placement and maximum reservoir contact. It is aimed at helping operators achieve greater production and lower costs especially in unconventional reservoirs.”