Baker Hughes 2009 Annual Report Download - page 77

2009 Form 10-K 3
Measurement-While-Drilling. Directional drilling systems
need real-time measurements of the location and orientation of
the bottom-hole assembly to operate effectively. MWD systems
are downhole tools that provide this directional information,
which is necessary to adjust the drilling process and guide the
wellbore to a specific target. The AutoTrak® rotary steerable
system has these MWD systems built in, allowing the tool to
automatically alter its course based on a planned trajectory.
Logging-While-Drilling. LWD is a variation of MWD in
which the LWD tool gathers information on the petrophysical
properties of the formation through which the wellbore is being
drilled. Many LWD measurements are the same as those taken
via wireline; however, taking measurements in real-time before
any damage has been sustained by the reservoir as a result of
the drilling process often allows for greater accuracy. Real-time
measurements also enable “geo-steering” where geological
markers identified by LWD tools are used to guide the bit and
assure placement of the wellbore in the optimal location.
Mud Logging Services. We are also a provider of mud
logging services, through which our engineers monitor the
interaction between the drilling fluid and the formation and
perform laboratory analysis of drilling fluids and examinations
of the drill cuttings to detect the presence of hydrocarbons and
identify the different geological layers penetrated by the drill bit.
Wireline Formation Evaluation and Completion
and Production Services
We are a leading provider of wireline formation evaluation
and completion and production services for oil and natural
gas wells.
Formation Evaluation. Formation evaluation involves
measuring and analyzing specific physical properties of the
rock (petrophysical properties) in the immediate vicinity of a
wellbore to determine an oil or natural gas reservoir’s bound-
aries, volume of hydrocarbons and ability to produce fluids to
the surface. Electronic sensor instrumentation is run through
the wellbore to measure porosity and density (how much open
space there is in the rock), permeability (how well connected
the spaces in the rock are) and resistivity (whether there is oil,
natural gas or water in the spaces). Imaging tools are run
through the wellbore to record a picture of the formation
along the well’s length. Acoustic logs measure rock properties
and help correlate wireline data with previous seismic surveys.
Magnetic resonance measurements characterize the volume
and type of fluids in the formation as well as provide a direct
measure of permeability. At the surface, measurements are
recorded digitally and can be displayed on a continuous graph,
or “well log”, which shows how each parameter varies along
the length of the wellbore. Wireline formation evaluation tools
can also be used to record formation pressures and take sam-
ples of formation fluids to be further evaluated on the surface.
Formation evaluation instrumentation can be run in the
well in several ways and at different times over the life of the
well. The two most common methods of data collection are
wireline logging and LWD. Wireline logging is conducted by
pulling or pushing instruments through the wellbore after it
is drilled, while LWD instruments are attached to the drill
string and take measurements while the well is being drilled.
Wireline logging measurements can be made before the well’s
protective steel casing is set (open hole logging) or after casing
has been set (cased hole logging).
We also offer geophysical data interpretation services
which help the operator interpret the petrophysical properties
measured by the logging instruments and make inferences
about the formation, presence and quantity of hydrocarbons.
This information is used to determine the next steps in drilling
and completing the well.
Wireline Completion and Production Services. Wireline
completion and production services include using wireline
instruments to evaluate well integrity, perform mechanical
intervention and perform cement evaluations. Wireline instru-
ments can also be run in producing wells to perform produc-
tion logging. We also provide perforating services, which
involve puncturing a well’s steel casing and cement sheath
with explosive charges. This creates a fracture in the formation
and provides a path for hydrocarbons in the formation to
enter the wellbore and be produced.
Reservoir Technology and Consulting
Our reservoir technology and consulting group provides a
broad range of services that assist our customers in the evalua-
tion, drilling, completion and production of oil and gas reser-
voirs. Services include well planning, drilling optimization,
formation evaluation and imaging, well placement, sand
control completions and stimulation and fracturing operations.
We also provide consulting services to assist customers with
operations management, exploration and field development
and reservoir management.
Completion and Production Segment
Our Completion and Production segment provides products
and services used in the completion and production phase of
oil and natural gas wells. This includes a wide variety of prod-
uct lines which support wellbore construction and completion.
This segment also provides specialty chemicals for the oilfield
and refining markets, pipeline inspection and treatment services
and the design, manufacture and repair of artificial lift systems;
permanent monitoring and chemical injection systems; and
integrated operations and project management services.
The primary drivers of our customer’s buying decisions
for completion and production products and services include
reducing operating expenditures through improving produc-
tion rates and ultimate production; minimizing down time or
lost production or the risk of lost production; the quality and
reliability of the equipment; and reducing costs per barrel pro-
duced as well as lower capital expenditures.
Wellbore Construction and Completion
Baker Hughes is a world leader in wellbore construction,
cased-hole completions, sand control and wellbore intervention
solutions. The economic success of a well largely depends on
how the well is completed. A successful completion ensures
and optimizes the efficient and safe production of oil and nat-
ural gas to the surface. Our completion systems are matched
to the formation and reservoir for optimum production and
can employ a variety of products and services.