Novel triaxial multidepth azimuthal resistivity platform unlocks and improves look-ahead and lookaround mapping accuracy while drilling
Published: 07/10/2026
Novel triaxial multidepth azimuthal resistivity platform unlocks and improves look-ahead and lookaround mapping accuracy while drilling
Published: 07/10/2026
In the discipline of geosteering and reservoir mapping, exceptional development and improvement of inversions to interpret deep azimuthal resistivity (DAR) and ultradeep azimuthal resistivity (UDAR) data sets has been the privileged area of research and development in our industry for more than a decade. For the continued evolution of UDAR services, another full cycle of improvements is needed, including a new hardware design for the acquisition system. The next-generation acquisition system will have to support more accurate measurements characterized by a higher signal-to-noise ratio, better control of the directionality, increased depth of investigation, and improved resolution of the inverted interpretation. The novel triaxial collocated multi depth azimuthal resistivity (MDAR) platform presented could support the ambitions to make new step changes in planning and geosteering of development wells in complex reservoirs (injectite sands, faulted reservoirs), mapping oil-water contact/moving oil-water contact (OWC) in mature reservoirs and improve geological model updates. The novel logging-while-drilling (LWD) integrated drilling and reservoir mapping platform introduces a triaxial MDAR modular design, generating triaxial calibrated measurements at shallow, medium deep, and ultradeep spacings. The deep transmitter placed only 7 ft behind the bit, and the shallow resistivity array are fully integrated with a rotary steerable system. The new LWD triaxial antennas are designed to improve the precision of remote boundary mapping, generate an accurate inverted resistivity profile for qualitative reservoir model updates, and extend the depth of detection (DOD) in every direction. Triaxial collocated antennas paired with MDAR architecture are not only improving the mapping of near and far boundaries but also provide the necessary type of measurement sensitivity and frequency range to unlock look-ahead capabilities in any wellbore deviation for an effective, predictive geosteering and reservoir mapping workflow, especially when coupled with real-time seismic-based multi physics solutions. The impact of the novel MDAR platform on geosteering, reservoir mapping, and geostopping capabilities will be shown with real well examples from both the field test facility and two separate siliciclastic fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The positive effects on the reaction time of geosteering and reservoir mapping operations when using this new integrated MDAR design with a robust rotary steerable technology are evaluated, with comparison to previous DAR and UDAR technologies. The improved signal-to-noise ratio related to the new triaxial collocated antenna vs. previous UDAR not colocated and pseudo-triaxial technologies significantly helped to reduce the uncertainty of remote boundary detection. The combination of MDAR hardware and seismic-based digital solutions is also the key to unlocking predictive look-ahead solutions. This predictive workflow allows for optimizing geosteering operations while reducing drilling risks, predicting structural changes up to 300 ft (100 m) ahead of the bit. Through the presentation of real-time examples from the field test facility and NCS siliciclastic fields, this paper introduces the impact of a novel LWD triaxial and collocated antenna design, enabling the MDAR concept within an integrated drilling and reservoir mapping platform. The integration of a deep transmitter at 7 ft (~2 m) behind the bit, coupled with an MDAR architecture, allows this new platform to reduce the geosteering reaction time, thus reducing drilling risk and providing a smoother trajectory in complex geological scenarios. This innovative platform architecture unlocks lookahead capabilities in all wellbore angles, from vertical to horizontal wells, while increasing the depth of detection and improving the mapping accuracy of remote reservoir boundaries.