CGG Multi-Physics Releases MagCube Models for Directional Drilling over Seven Onshore US Basins and Shale Plays

Paris, France | May 20, 2019

CGG Multi-Physics announced at the AAPG 2019 Annual Convention & Exhibition (ACE) in San Antonio, Texas, USA the immediate availability of pre-calculated MagCube™ in-field referencing (IFR) models for measurement while drilling (MWD) surveys over seven US onshore basins and plays: Bakken, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Marcellus, Niobrara, Permian and Woodford. These data sets are available now for licensing or extraction on a well-by-well basis with one-day turnaround.

CGG’s MagCube magnetic referencing system combines a global geomagnetic reference model with local magnetic survey data to deliver declination (dip), inclination, and total field values at depth. These cubes of subsurface vector magnetic field information form a reference frame for MWD surveys in directional drilling. Accurately knowing a well’s trajectory while the well is still being drilled could save costly sidetracks, and even prevent collisions with other wells in tightly drilled shale plays. All of CGG’s MagCube models include an estimation of the positional uncertainties, allowing the design of more closely spaced drilling programs to more effectively drain unconventional reservoirs.

As laterals get longer and the exploitation of stacked reservoirs become the norm onshore, well path tolerances are getting smaller. The smaller the target the more important it is to know where the wellbore is in real-time. Real-time azimuth control also eliminates costly rig time to run separate post-drilling gyroscopic surveys. This is also true for offshore wells, where rig costs are much higher.

Greg Paleolog, SVP, Multi-Physics, CGG, said: “Our MagCube IFR tool is an excellent example of CGG working closely with drilling companies and oil and gas producers to deliver the best geomagnetic models over the most prolific onshore US unconventional basins in a cost-effective and timely manner to help them significantly reduce drilling uncertainties and costs. With the adoption and application of geomagnetic technology to downstream oil and gas drilling, CGG is taking the lead once again to meet client business needs in a very important and expanding market segment.”