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Chapter 1: RivCross Software Overview Chapter 16: Creating a New Survey When
Sidetracking
Chapter 2: Starting a New Job
Chapter 17: Edit Surveys
Chapter 3: The Tool Data Input Form
Chapter 18: Pressure Readings and Logging
Chapter 4: The Paratrack 1 Input Form
Chapter 19: The Program Options Form
Chapter 5: The Paratrack 2 Input Form
Chapter 20: Wires
Chapter 6: The AC Solenoid Input Form
Chapter 21: The Wire Current/Distance
Chapter 7: The AC Signal Analysis Form Relationship
Chapter 8: Shot Data Summary Table Chapter 22: Guide Wire and Survey Probe
Power Supplies
Chapter 9: Survey Summary Table
Chapter 23: Making Up the Pressure Module
Chapter 10: The View/Edit Shots Form
Chapter 24: Rods Table
Chapter 11: The Plan View
Chapter 25: Plot Series
Chapter 12: The Vertical Section View
Chapter 26: Tool Face Display, Log, and
Chapter 13: The End View Job Info
RivCross is a steering and guidance (or tracking) package that is used for drilling
horizontal bores for HDD applications. RivCross integrates tracking and survey data from Vector
Magnetics steering tools (Paratrack tools) and various guidance sources as well as third party
steering tools. It provides a unified software environment that tracks surveys and guidance
measurements and provides the driller with a graphical view of the drilling job.
RivCross supports the following tracking systems provided by Vector Magnetics:
Coordinate System
RivCross uses the conventional HDD coordinate system of Away, Elevation, Right. The
Away axis is horizontal and points in the direction of drilling. The Elevation axis is up (i.e. opposite
of gravity). The Right axis is also horizontal and points to the right of the Away axis. The Away,
Elevation, and Right axes are all perpendicular to one another, and form a right handed orthogonal
coordinate system.
Baseline Azimuth
The Baseline Azimuth is the angle from Magnetic North to the Away axis. This is the
magnetic azimuth the tool would read if laid down on the Away axis in an environment free of any
magnetic interference.
Surveys
RivCross uses the surveyed (i.e. calculated from borehole direction readings) coordinate
as a first guess for all tracking calculations. For this reason, it is imperative that RivCross be
operated in such a way that the survey is always up to date and adjusted so it is reasonably close
to the actual steering tool location.
Job Files
RivCross organizes all data for a particular crossing or job in a .job file. This allows the
job to be reloaded if the RivCross program is shut down. A .job file keeps track of all information
relating to that job. See Starting a New Job for details.
Click on the New Job button to start. The program will prompt you to create a job
filename. Note the folder that this new file will be created in, and select another folder if necessary.
Enter a meaningful name for this job and click on Save. The program will append a .job file
suffix automatically to the name you enter. Clicking Save will bring you to the main RivCross
window. Two forms are visible inside the main RivCross form. The first is the New Job Wizard and
the other is the Tool Data Form.
After filling out the New Job Wizard form it is necessary to fill out the Tool Data form.
This form is broken up into several different frames.
Tool Position
The measured distance is entered here. The measured distance is selected by picking a
rod number. The rods table will supply the total measured distance at the end of the selected rod.
If it is necessary to take a shot from a position other than at the exact end of a rod, that amount
may be entered in the Additional distance beyond rod end box below. The measured distance is
the rod distance plus the additional distance. The current setting of the Baseline Azimuth is also
shown here. To change the Baseline Azimuth, go to File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth.
Magnetic Data
The DC Magnetic sensor readings are shown here. Individual sensor values can be seen
by placing the mouse over the BTotal box. Smoothing (filtering) can be altered by going to the File
Program Settings menu and clicking on the Averaging tab.
Create New Survey Shot button: Click on this button to record the current steering tool readings
and create a new steering tool shot. Steering tool shots are added to the current survey (when
their Mark as Final flag is set). New shots by default have this flag set if the Mark New Shots
Final check box is checked on the Averaging tab in File Program Settings.
The Paratrack 1 Input Form is accessed via the Windows Paratrack 1 menu selection.
There are several things that must be filled out prior to taking a Paratrack 1 shot.
Tool Position
The measured distance is entered here. The measured distance is selected by picking a
rod number. The rods table will supply the total measured distance at the end of the selected rod.
If it is necessary to take a shot from a position other than at the exact end of a rod, that amount
may be entered in the Additional distance beyond rod end box below. The measured distance is
the rod distance plus the additional distance. The current setting of the Baseline Azimuth is also
shown here. To change the Baseline Azimuth, go to File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth.
A subset of the Steering Tool Orientation frame is the Tool Face Offset sub-frame. This
parameter sets the angle from the actual tool face to the X sensor. This normally gets set once at
the beginning of the job, or whenever the bit is changed. This parameter may either be set
manually or automatically set to the current roll angle. Normally, one would set the drill bit tool face
high (up) and then click on this button to store the Tool Face Offset in the program. It is good
practice to note this value in your logbook in case it needs to get reset manually.
Magnetic Data
+Amps: Enter the positive wire current into this box.
-Amps: Enter the negative wire current into this box.
Positive Frame: Displays the DC magnetic sensor readings for the positive shot.
Negative Frame: Displays the DC magnetic sensor readings for the negative shot.
Capture Zero Data Button: Click this to capture the DC magnetic readings when no current is
applied to the wire.
Capture Positive Data Button: Click this to capture the magnetic readings when positive wire
current is applied.
Capture Negative Data Button: Click this to capture the magnetic readings when negative wire
current is applied.
Note that after you click on one of these three buttons it will change color to white to
indicate that you have recorded this data. Once all three buttons have been clicked the Create
New Paratrack I Shot button will become active. The user can always click on one of the three
capture buttons again to re-record data before creating a new shot.
Under certain circumstances, this can be used as diagnostic tool. See the When to Use the Z
Sensor for more information on when to use the Calculate Az. Check box.
Active Readings Frame: Displays the current tool magnetic readings. (Bxyz, Dip, Btotal).
Active Plot Series: This frame shows the currently active plot series. New steering tool shots will
be assigned this plot series. The active plot series can be changed from the Edit Plot Series
menu selection.
Create New Paratrack I Shot button: This button records the Paratrack I data and makes a new
shot entry in the database. This button is disabled until all three of the Capture buttons have been
pressed.
1. Stop drilling. Let tool data settle by watching the two graphs of Bx and By.
2. Select the current measured distance by selecting a rod end from the Tool is at end of
rod combo box. If the rod table needs to be updated to include the last rod drilled,
then go to the Edit Rods menu and add the rod length first.
3. If the tool is not at an even rod position, enter an additional measured distance in the
Additional distance beyond rod end box. This value can be positive or negative and
is added to the measured distance from the rod table.
4. Enter an azimuth correction if needed or alternatively, plug an azimuth directly into the
Corrected Azimuth box.
5. With zero wire current click on the Capture Zero Data button to record the tool
readings. This data is used in the survey.
6. Enter the positive wire current into the +Amps box and apply positive wire current.
7. Wait for the Bx and By plots to stabilize.
8. Click on the Capture Positive Data button.
9. Enter the negative wire current into the Amps box and apply negative wire current.
10. Wait for Bx and By to stabilize.
11. Click on the Capture Negative Data button.
12. If all data was taken correctly, click on the Create New Paratrack I Shot button. If
some of the data needs to be re-taken, do that first.
13. The shot results will appear in the Shot Summary Table accessible from View Shot
Data Summary Table.
14. Additional shots can be taken by repeating the procedure from step 5 through step 12.
15. See the Appendix for information on how to change which shot is the Final Shot for a
given measured distance or if your shot does not converge.
The Paratrack 2 Input Form is accessed via the Windows Paratrack 2 menu selection.
There are several things that must be filled out prior to taking a Paratrack 2 shot.
Tool Position
The measured distance is entered here. The measured distance is selected by picking a
rod number. The rods table will supply the total measured distance at the end of the selected rod.
If it is necessary to take a shot from a position other than at the exact end of a rod, that amount
may be entered in the Additional distance beyond rod end box below. The measured distance is
the rod distance plus the additional distance. The current setting of the Baseline Azimuth is also
shown here. To change the Baseline Azimuth, go to File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth.
there is an Inclination Bias parameter that can be set in the File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth page.
A subset of the Steering Tool Orientation frame is the Tool Face Offset sub-frame. This
parameter sets the angle from the actual tool face to the X sensor. This normally gets set once at
the beginning of the job, or whenever the bit is changed. This parameter may either be set
manually or automatically set to the current roll angle. Normally, one would set the drill bit tool face
high (up) and then click on this button to store the Tool Face Offset in the program. It is good
practice to note this value in your logbook in case it needs to get reset manually.
Magnetic Data
BTotal: The total DC magnetic field reading in nanoTesla.
HTotal: The total AC magnetic field reading in microamps per meter.
Dip: The measured magnetic dip angle (horizontal to magnetic field direction).
Wire Current: Enter the AC wire current in this box in Amps peak-peak. This value is read off the
Guide Wire Power Supply LED readout.
Toggle Gain: Press this button to toggle between High Gain Mode (default) and Low Gain Mode.
Low gain should only be used in extreme situations where the steering tool is very close to the wire
and the AC sensors are being saturated by the very high AC field present. This should not
normally be used with Paratrack II, but is provided nonetheless as an emergency option. If the AC
sensors are saturating the first recourse should be to reduce the wire current so that the sensors
do not saturate.
Hz Check Box
Checking this option uses the Hz sensor as well as the Hx and Hy sensors for the distance
calculation. When this box is not checked only the Hx and Hy sensors are used. Checking this
box enables the Calculate Azimuth box. When drilling nominally parallel to the wire then the Use
Hz box should NOT be checked. See When To Use The Z Sensor for more information.
The AC Solenoid Input Form is accessed via the Windows AC Solenoid menu
selection. There are several things that must be filled out prior to taking an AC Solenoid shot.
Tool Position
The measured distance is entered here. The measured distance is selected by picking a
rod number. The rods table will supply the total measured distance at the end of the selected rod.
If it is necessary to take a shot from a position other than at the exact end of a rod, that amount
may be entered in the Additional distance beyond rod end box below. The measured distance is
the rod distance plus the additional distance. The current setting of the Baseline Azimuth is also
shown here. To change the Baseline Azimuth, go to File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth.
shown. The corrected azimuth will be the one that is used for all calculations and surveys. If no
correction is needed, leave this box at 0. Tool inclination is also reported in this frame. Note that
there is an Inclination Bias parameter that can be set in the File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth page.
A subset of the Steering Tool Orientation frame is the Tool Face Offset sub-frame. This
parameter sets the angle from the actual tool face to the X sensor. This normally gets set once at
the beginning of the job, or whenever the bit is changed. This parameter may either be set
manually or automatically set to the current roll angle. Normally, one would set the drill bit tool face
high (up) and then click on this button to store the Tool Face Offset in the program. It is good
practice to note this value in your logbook in case it needs to get reset manually.
Magnetic Data
Btotal: The total DC magnetic field reading in nanoTesla.
Htotal: The total AC magnetic field reading in microamps per meter.
Dip: The measured magnetic dip angle (horizontal to magnetic field direction).
Start Button
This will start the data acquisition process and the software will begin accumulating the
number of samples selected. After all the samples have been accumulated, a signal quality plot
appears. Click OK to accept the data and perform a position calculation.
8. Select the measured distance by selecting the correct rod end in the Tool is at end of
rod combo box. If needed, edit the rods table first in the Edit Rods menu.
9. Add any additional distance onto the rod distance in the Additional distance beyond
rod end box. This value can be either positive or negative and will be added to the
distance from the selected rod to form the final Measured Distance for the shot.
10. Enter any necessary azimuth correction in the Azimuth Correction box. Alternatively,
plug a tool azimuth in the Corrected Azimuth box.
11. Set the data averaging in the # of samples box.
12. When the data plot is stable, click on the Start button to begin acquiring data.
13. Click OK on the AC Signal Analysis Window that pops up.
14. Results of the shot show up in the Shot Data Summary Table accessible from the View
Shot Data Summary Table menu option.
15. Additional shots can be taken by clicking on the Start button again.
16. See the Appendix for information on how to change which shot is the Final Shot for a
given measured distance or if your shot does not converge.
The AC Signal Analysis form is accessed via the Windows Signal Analysis menu
selection. This window is used to analyze the AC data coming from the tool. This can be used any
time there is a question as to whether there is interference to either the Paratrack 2 or AC Solenoid
signal. Options are present for plotting a block of AC data either in the Time domain (Raw Data
option) or in the Frequency domain (Frequency-Linear or Frequency-Decibels).
Frequency-Linear option
Plots the Fourier Transform of the data with a linear amplitude scale. Frequency is plotted
on the horizontal axis and the relative amplitude is plotted on the vertical axis. Paratrack 2 uses an
AC signal at 3.00 Hz and the AC Solenoid uses both 2.00 Hz and 2.2857 Hz. By looking at the
frequency plot you can see if there are any interfering signals close to those frequencies.
The Shot Data Summary Table summarizes all shots taken in a job. It is accessible via the
View Shot Data Summary Table menu selection. The following information in stored in the
table:
Calc Az: This is the calculated tool azimuth based on Paratrack 1, Paratrack 2, or AC
Solenoid data only. For Paratrack 1 and 2, this value is only computed if both the Use Bz
or Use Hz check boxes were set and the Calc Az check box was set.
Borehole: This shows which Plot Series the shot is assigned to. The user can change
the plot series for a shot or series of shots by right clicking over this text and selecting
another plot series. To change multiple shots at once, left click and drag over the chosen
shots and then right click to choose the new Plot Series. Note that more than one Plot
Series must first be defined using Edit Plot Series before the Borehole can be changed.
Date/Time: The Time and Date stamp for the shot. This stamp cannot be changed by the
user.
Extract ST Button:
This button provides a way to create a Steering Tool shot consisting of Inclination and
Azimuth readings from another shot. For Example if a Paratrack 2 shot does not converge and is
marked bad, you can still use the heading information from it in your survey. Click on Display
Options and Display Bad Shots; select the bad shot you want to extract from, and click Extract ST.
A new ST Shot is added to the table, which can be used as a Final Shot.
Display Options
Provides controls to customize the display in this window. Columns can be turned on and
off and Bad Shots can be shown.
Create Average
Select a range of shots at the same Measured Depth and click this button. A new AVG
(average) shot is created, consisting of the average of the selected shots, and is added to the
table. All the values, including Az, Incl, and Measured Coordinates of the selected shots are
averaged together and the result is stored in a new shot that can be used as Final.
The Survey Summary Table is accessible via the View Survey Data Summary Table.
All survey shots that have been designated as Final will appear in the survey table. The survey
shown is the current active survey as set in the Edit Surveys menu selection. The title bar of
this window shows the name of the active survey. The following information is included in the
Survey Summary:
MD: Measured Distance
Joint: Rod number (plus any additional distance) for this shot
Incl: Inclination
Az: Final azimuth for that shot (measured azimuth plus any correction)
Away, Elev, Right: Coordinates calculated based on the survey distances and
angles (Md, Incl, Az).
Dls: Dog Leg Severity. The total angle change in degrees per standard distance
unit. Measured in degrees per 100 feet or degrees per 30 meters. Dog leg
severity is a measure of the total bend in the hole over the standard distance unit
and includes both inclination and azimuth angles.
Baseline Az. Box: Displays current settings for this parameter. After changing
the Baseline Az. click Refresh to update the table.
Refresh button: This button updates the survey table from the master database.
It is not normally used as the program automatically updates this table whenever
needed.
Method: Choose the method that will be used to calculate the survey. The
colored box indicates the color that will be used to plot the survey. The Refresh
button is used to recalculate the survey after choosing a calculation method.
Surveys
Surveys are a series of Measured Distance, Inclination, and Azimuth readings that are
used to estimate the current steering tool position. In RivCross there must always be at least one
survey defined. More than one survey can be defined, but only one is considered the Active
Survey for taking new Paratrack or AC Solenoid shots. Multiple surveys are useful for keeping
track of sidetracks.
Surveys are built up from any combination of Steering Tool, Paratrack, or AC Solenoid
shots (only MD, Incl. and Az are used from any of these shots in the survey). The shots marked as
Final Shots are the ones included in the survey. There can only be one Final Shot at any
particular measured distance for a given Active Survey. See the Shot Data Summary Table
chapter for an explanation of how to select Final Shots.
Typically the survey is built up from Paratrack or AC Solenoid shots on the entry side of a
crossing job, and then once drilling is under a river or other inaccessible location the survey comes
from steering tool shots only. In all cases, the survey is always taken from the steering tool
inclination and azimuth readings (with possible user input corrections), not from any guidance
methods.
The active survey must be maintained as accurately as possible at all times as the survey
tool is used as a first coordinate estimate for all the guidance service algorithms. If the survey
coordinates are vastly different from the actual tool position, then the Paratrack or AC Solenoid
calculation algorithms may not be able to converge on a solution.
The View/Edit shots window is accessible from the View Shot Data menu. This window
shows detailed information about each shot. All shots can be viewed with this window. The slider
bar at the bottom is used to select the shot. Click on the arrows to advance one shot.
Certain fields within the shot can be edited by clicking the Edit button. Fields that can be
edited are highlighted. Click on one or more of these fields and type in a new value. When done
click on the Save button to keep any changes, or Cancel to make no changes.
Note that each shot type has a slightly different display that is specific to that shot type.
Shown here is a Paratrack 2 shot.
The Plan View form is accessible via the View Plan View menu selection. This window
shows a plan or overhead view of wires, solenoid locations, shot coordinates, and survey paths. It
is normally shown as a square grid (with the Square Grid box checked). This keeps the scales the
same for both horizontal and vertical plot axes. There are various things the user can change by
using the mouse:
To Zoom in on an area: Click the left mouse button at the upper left corner of the
area you wish to zoom in to. Without releasing the left mouse button, drag the
mouse down and to the right. When the mouse is at the lower right extreme of the
area of interest, release the left mouse button and the graph will zoom in to that
area. Note: This operation must always be from upper left to lower right!
To Zoom out: Left click anywhere on a free area of the graph (but not on a shot
or survey point) and drag up and to the left. When you let go of the left mouse
button the graph will zoom out. Note: This operation must always be from lower
right to upper left!
Right Click on any plotted object: A short summary of that object will appear.
Clicking on any free area of the graph will hide the summary. For shots, a Mark
Bad option will appear. Left click on Mark Bad to mark that shot bad. Bad shots
are never shown in the graphs.
Check Boxes: The Cursor option brings up line cursors that follow the mouse.
Use these to visually read off coordinates from the axes. The Survey option will
display the currently active survey along with shot data. The default for this option
is checked (on). The Show All Shots option will show all the good shots at each
measured distance. When unchecked only the shots marked as Final are
shown.
The Vertical Section View is accessible from the View Section View menu selection.
This graph shows a section or side view of wires, solenoid locations, shot coordinates, and survey
paths. All coordinates are projected onto a vertical plane that runs along the Baseline Azimuth
direction. It is normally shown as a square grid (with the Square Grid box checked). This keeps
the scales the same for both horizontal and vertical plot axes. There are various things the user
can change by using the mouse:
To Zoom in on an area: Click the left mouse button at the upper left corner of the
area you wish to zoom in to. Without releasing the left mouse button, drag the
mouse down and to the right. When the mouse is at the lower right extreme of the
area of interest, release the left mouse button and the graph will zoom in to that
area. Note: This operation must always be from upper left to lower right!
To Zoom out: Left click anywhere on a free area of the graph (but not on a shot
or survey point) and drag up and to the left. When you let go of the left mouse
button the graph will zoom out. Note: This operation must always be from lower
right to upper left!
Right Click on any plotted object: A short summary of that object will appear.
Clicking on any free area of the graph will hide the summary. For shots, a Mark
Bad option will appear. Left click on Mark Bad to mark that shot bad. Bad shots
are never shown in the graphs.
Check Boxes: The Cursor option brings up line cursors that follow the mouse.
Use these to visually read off coordinates from the axes. The Survey option will
display the currently active survey along with shot data. The default for this option
is checked (on). The Show All Shots option will show all the good shots at each
measured distance. When unchecked only the shots marked as Final are
shown.
Line Options: Clicking on this button allows you to choose the type of line
created by clicking and dragging to assist the driller in checking their progress or
projecting their position.
Choose from Straight
Line, Freehand Arc, or
Constrained Arc. The
Freehand Arc allows you
to specify the Radius of
that arc, but not the initial
inclination. The Constrained Arc option allows the user to define the Radius and
initial inclination of the arc. It is also possible to Invert the direction of the arc
drawn. After choosing which type of line to draw, and specifying any parameters
about that arc, it is possible to left click from a point and see the specific position of
the mouse cursor as it is moved around the grid.
Elevation and Away Coordinate Boxes: Click on a specific shot or point to see
the relative Elevation and Away coordinates of that point. When drawing a line or
an arc, these boxes change to show the distance from the start point and the
relative angle to the wire.
Arc Length Box: Shows the length in feet or meters of the arc drawn by the user.
This box is live updating while moving the cursor and holds the final position.
Init Dir Box: Shows the initial inclination of the arc (curve) drawn by the user.
This box is live updating while moving the cursor and holds the final position.
Final Dir Box: Shows the final inclination of the arc (curve) drawn by the user.
This box is live updating while moving the cursor and holds the final position.
Change Scale Buttons: Use these to manually set the scale of each axis.
Edit Baseline Az. Button: This is a shortcut button that brings you to the
Program Settings menu where you can choose the tab that lets you change the
Baseline Azimuth. Often the Baseline Azimuth is changed by looking at the Plan
View and Adjusting the Baseline Azimuth until the survey line matches the shot
data.
Reset Button: Resets the plot to the original scale.
The End View plot is accessible from the View End View menu selection. This plot
shows a view as if looking down the axis of the steering tool. Tool high side is up, tool right side to
the right. The steering tool is always at the center of the graph and the closest point to the wire (for
Paratrack 1 or 2 systems) is plotted. The graph is most useful for parallel jobs where a new
borehole is to be drilled parallel to an existing borehole and the guide wire is in the existing
borehole. There are various parameters that can be changed by the user:
Radius Combo box: Sets the radius of the polar plot. Use this to zoom in or out
on the plot.
Show Shot Range Check box: When checked, a range of shots will be shown.
Shots are shown in grey, except the shot that is currently selected in the Shot #
box. Enter in the first and last shots to be shown in the Shots to display frame.
MD, Away, Elev, Right: Shows the parameters of the shot chosen in the Shot #
box.
Distance to Wire: Shows the distance to wire of the shot chosen in the Shot #
box. Useful when drilling parallel bores.
Apparent Angle from High Side to Wire: Determined by the shot chosen in the
Shot # box. Useful when drilling parallel bores.
Show Final Shots: When checked, only shots marked as final are shown.
Otherwise all shots not marked bad are shown.
Show X-Y Sensors: When checked will show the orientation of the X and Y
magnetic sensors for the current shot.
The BTotal/Dip Plot is accessible from the View BTotal/Dip menu selection. This series
of three plots shows the BTotal, Tool Azimuth and Dip vs. Measured Distance. Use these plots to
look for magnetic interference. When the Show All Good Shots is unchecked only shots marked
Final are shown on these plots. Right clicking on a data point will bring up more information
about that point.
The Export Data option is available through the Edit Survey Form, accessible from the File
Export Survey menu selection. From this form, click on the Export button. The following form
will open:
The Export Shot Data option is available through the Export Data Form, accessible from
the File Shot Data Export menu selection.
All Plot Series may be exported, or the user may select specific ones using the radio
buttons on the left side of the window. All Shots are selected by default, or a range of shots (based
on MD) may be exported. Check Only Final Shots to export just the shots used in the survey and
Include Bad Shots to export bad shots as well. Include All P1 data should be checked if the user
wants to export the positive, negative, and calculated magnetic data, otherwise only the calculated
data will be exported.
When drilling a sidetrack a new survey should be created so that the old borehole can be
saved in RivCross. Use the Edit Survey Wizard menu selection to do this. The Wizard will walk
you through the process of creating a new survey and saving the old survey. The Survey Wizard
will walk you through the following steps:
At this time the Wizard has helped the user complete the following:
Created a new survey to hold new shots in the new sidetrack. It makes this new survey
active automatically.
Moved shots from the old borehole beyond the sidetrack point to a new plot series so that
data can be easily shown or hidden in RivCross.
At this point any new Steering Tool or tracking shots are added to the newly created survey.
The Edit Surveys form is accessible from the Edit Surveys menu selection. This form
allows the user access to all the surveys defined for the job. The Edit button brings up the Create
Survey window, which allows changing the color of a survey, the survey name, etc Clicking the
Edit button brings up the Create Survey form:
RivCross supports pressure measurements for the Vector Magnetics Paratrack Steering
Tool when outfitted with the optional pressure module. Pressure readings are shown on all tool
data input windows (Steering Tool, Paratrack, and AC Solenoid). Provision is also made for
logging pressure data to a separate database file. Plots of both real time and logged pressure data
are included.
The database filename for pressure is set in the top frame. Normally this can be left to the
default name. Pressure averaging can be set to None, 2, 4, or 7 seconds. When averaging is
turned on a moving average filter is applied to the pressure sensor readings before data is
displayed or stored. Pressure units can be set to either PSI or Bar with the controls in the Units
frame.
reading then a new sample is taken. Set these to a value that is high enough to avoid storing
meaningless small fluctuations, but small enough so as not to miss an important pressure event.
The current pressure values from the steering tool appear in the boxes at the upper left.
To reset the zero point, either manually type in numbers in one or both Zero Correction boxes, or
click on either of the Use Current Sensor Reading buttons to use the current pressure reading.
The corrected readings appear in boxes at the upper right of this window. Once the zero offsets
are set, they will be saved with the job information and will be subtracted from the tool pressure
data before that data is displayed.
Pressure Alarms
Alarms can be set to notify the user if either pressure reading is out of bounds. There are
independent high and low limits for each
channel that can be enabled
independently. If a pressure is out of range
(either too high or too low) then an alarm
will go off and the following small window
will appear.
The computer bell will also ring and this red warning form will continue to appear as long as the
pressure alarm is triggered.
The Real Time Pressures plot is accessible from the Windows Real Time Pressure
Menu Selection. This plot shows the last several minutes of pressure data. The chart can be
zoomed in or out on using the standard mouse zoom techniques. See the Plan or Section view
chapters for more information on mouse zoom techniques.
The Pressure vs. Time plot is accessible from the Windows Pressure menu selection.
Pressure data that has been logged to the pressure database file can be plotted from within
RivCross.
The Program Options frame is accessible from the File Program Settings menu
selection. This frame has multiple tabs allowing the user to set various parameters.
Entry Point
This is the first line of the survey and is
the point at which the pipe enters the
ground. The expected exit point may
also be entered here and it will be
plotted on the graphical views.
Distance units are set on the Units tab.
Baseline Azimuth
Enter the Baseline Azimuth and
Inclination Bias here. Inclination Bias
is an overall value that is subtracted
from all inclinations before performing
a survey calculation. This can be used
to correct for known steering tool
biases in situations where the
surveying technique leads to a build up
of errors. The survey must always be
kept reasonably close to the correct
steering tool location when using
Paratrack or the AC Solenoid so their
algorithms will converge on a
solution.
Averaging
Select the degree of data averaging
here. Magnetic Sensor Averaging
applies to the DC magnetometer
outputs from the steering tool. Gravity
Sensor Averaging applies moving
average filters to each gravity sensor
output. Longer gravity sensor
averaging times can give more
accurate answers in high vibration
situations. It is generally
recommended to operate with the
default settings of 2 seconds on the
magnetic sensors and none on the
gravity sensors. The # of AC Samples
to fit (Paratrack 2 only) selects the
length of AC data to collect before computing a sine fit. Larger numbers = more averaging. The
typical value is 100.
Misc.
Set the Units that you will be working
in. When checked, the Mark New
Shots Final box will mark all new
ranging or steering tool shots final for
that measured distance. Any shot at
that measured distance on the current
survey that was previously the final
shot has its final shot flag cleared.
Pressure
See the Pressure chapter for
information on these settings.
Tool Type
Select the type of steering tool being
used. APS tools that have a Tensor
compatible mode can run under the
Tensor setting.
Both Paratrack 1 and 2 use wires on or in the ground as their magnetic signal source.
RivCross can have any number of wire layouts defined within the program. Only one wire layout
can be active at a time, however, and all new Paratrack shots use the currently active wire layout
for its calculations. The wires are managed via the Edit Wires menu selection.
New: This button creates a new wire object within RivCross. Each separate wire loop or grounded
segment used for Paratrack must have its own wire object. Wire objects store vertex coordinates
as well as plot settings for that wire.
Edit: Allows the user to edit an existing wire object. See Wire Edit Window description below for
details.
Copy: Makes a copy of an existing wire object and adds it to the list of wires. The new name is
Copy of the wire that was copied. First click on a wire name in the list of wires to highlight that
wire, and then click on the copy button.
Delete: Removes the selected wire from the list. Note that only wires that have never been used
to take a guidance shot can be deleted. Wires that have ever been active when a new Paratrack
shot was taken, even if that shot is marked bad, cannot be deleted.
Import: Read a text file containing wire vertex coordinates and create a new wire object
containing that vertex data. See Wire Import Data Format for details on the expected format of the
text file.
Export: Write a text file containing wire vertex coordinates. See Wire Export Data Format for
details on the format of this file.
Make Active: This makes the currently highlighted wire object the active wire. Only one wire may
be active at a time. New Paratrack shots use the active wire for all calculations. The current active
wire name is shown in the Active Wire text box at the bottom of this window.
Paratrack 1 Loop
The Vector Magnetics Paratrack guidance package offers two different methods of
powering the Paratrack Guide Wire. Paratrack 1 uses DC current delivered by an off the shelf DC
power supply (generally a welder). This system is compatible with both Vector Magnetics own
surveying tools, as well as the Tensor surveying tool. Paratrack 2 is an AC current based guidance
system that requires the Vector Magnetics Guide Power Supply. When using the Vector Magnetics
survey probe a Paratrack 2 Interface is also required.
Paratrack 2 Variable Output Guide Wire Supply Rheostat Controlled Resistor Pack (Fixed Supply Only)
Fault Light
The Guide Supply incorporates an over-current protection switch that illuminates the Fault
LED when tripped. If this switch trips, it will be necessary to add more resistance between the
Supply and the wire (with a Fixed Output Supply), or to turn down the current on a Variable Output
Supply.
Connections
Connections to the Interface Supply are made on the right side. There are banana jack
and wing nut connections for the sensor probe (use one or the other), and RS-232 Serial
connections for the computer, Hardware Key, and the Drillers Display. See below for technical
specifications of the Paratrack 2 Interface.
Paratrack 2 Interface Side View
Revision A/B
Input: Universal 110/220v 50-60Hz AC
Output: Either 6 amps/24 volts or 3 amps/48 volts (labeled on front of supply)
Revision C
Input: Universal 110/220v 50-60Hz AC
Output: 7 amps(dial adjustable)/48 volts
The Vector Magnetics Paratrack sensor probe is available with an optional Pressure
Sensor setup that can be used to monitor pipe and annular pressure. The Pressure setup consists
of a Pressure module that connects directly to the Paratrack sensor tool, and a Pressure orienting
sub that connects to the pressure module on the up-hole end, and has standard API threads to
connect to the non-mag drill collar.
WARNING! The Pressure Module or the Blind Foot in place when the Pressure Module is not in
use has an internal connection to the electronics board of the Sensor Probe. If it is necessary to
remove the Sensor Probe head to gain access to the internal electronics, the Pressure Module or
blind foot must be removed FIRST, and the circular bayonet lock connector disconnected before
removing the electronics from the head end. Serious damage to the Magnetometers will occur if
this procedure is not followed! WARNING!
The Pressure Module connects to the bottom of the Sensor Probe. The internal
connection is made using a mil-spec circular bayonet lock connector attached to a coiled cord.
Straighten the cord back to its original shape as much as possible; then, without adding or
subtracting twists to the coil, connect the two ends together, making sure to engage the connector
fully. An audible snap indicates it is properly connected. Next, pick a reference point on the
Pressure Module, and put 6 counterclockwise turns into it, making sure that the Sensor Probe side
is stationary. Tuck the additional wires inside the sonde, and press the two ends together until the
threads engage. It should take 9 full clockwise turns to engage the threads fully. Torque this
connection to 250 ft/lbs. It is extremely important to not add extra twists to this coil-cord. If it takes
more than 9 turns to engage the threads fully, it is necessary to back the two units apart,
disconnect the bayonet connector, and start over.
Pressure/Orienting Sub
The Pressure/Orienting sub connects to the Pressure module on the up-hole end and to a
non-magnetic drill collar on the down-hole end. There are two annular pressure ports, one on each
side of the sub. A bolt with a small hole allows pressure from the annulus to reach the sensor
housed in the pressure module sonde. It is important to keep this pathway (indicated by the red
area in the diagram below) filled with a light grease. Pump grease as indicated in the figure below
until the grease expelled from the two pressure ports is clean. It is important that the grease used
is very lightweight to prevent a pressure drop from occurring between the annulus and the sensor.
The Drill Pipe Pressure Port should also be filled with grease. This port cant be filled with using a
gun, but it can be packed full of grease by hand.
Import/Export Options:
Overwrite Existing Rod will replace any existing
rod table with the contents of the imported file.
Append Data to Existing Rods will place the
imported rod table at the end of any currently
present rod table.
File Format:
Rod #, Rod Length, MD: Each line of the file
(imported or exported) will contain three numbers
separated by commas in the same order as the
rod table.
Rod Lengths Only: Each line of the file (imported
or exported) will only contain the rod lengths. The other columns are automatically calculated.
When the Export Rods button is pressed, a form will appear requesting a filename. The file is then
written.
Importing Rods
Clicking the Import button on the above form will bring up the following form after the user
selects the file to be imported:
Plot Series keep track of shot data in groups. One Plot Series may hold all the shots for
the main borehole and another Plot Series may hold all the shots for a sidetrack. By organizing
shots in Plot Series, groups of data can be handled together without having to individually edit each
shot. Plot Series also keep track of plotting colors on the Plan View and Section View graphs as
well as if that series is to be plotted at all in the graphs. Below is the main Plot Series editing form.
The Tool Face Display is accessed via the Windows High Side Indicator
menu selection. This display can be used to graphically monitor the tool face
orientation while drilling. This form can be left open and will float on top of
other forms.
Log
RivCross includes a provision for keeping a log of events. The Log is accessible via the
Log menu selection.
Job Info
The Job Info form is accessed via the Edit Job Info menu selection. The Job Number
will appear at the top of the Plan View and Section View plots. Other information is for the users
notes only.
The Hardware Key must be connected to the computer or Interface in order to run any of
the licensed guidance services (Paratrack 1, 2, or AC Solenoid). The Hardware Key normally
connects to the tool power supply (Interface) and is internally routed to the COM port that the
Interface is using. Alternatively, the Hardware Key can be connected to any other free COM port
on the computer. Use the File Program Settings COM (Serial) Ports tab to set the Hardware
Key COM port in RivCross.
Product Licenses
Each guidance service is individually enabled or disabled in each hardware key. To see
which services are enabled for a particular key, use the View Hardware Key Key Info menu
selection. The following form will appear.
Update Key from e-mail Message: This button opens a form that leads the user through a 3 step
process to update the key expiration date, product enables, and minimum program version fields.
See below for details:
To update a Hardware Key in the field, follow the three-step procedure outlined in this
window.
Step 1: Offload existing job data to a disk file. Click the Read Key button to start this process.
Depending on the amount of data on the key, this process may take anywhere between a few
seconds and several minutes to complete. This data is used by Vector Magnetics for license
billing, so it must be e-mailed back to Vector Magnetics before update codes will be sent back. Job
data is coded such that all job data must be present in order to receive a new update code.
Step 2: Load the file containing the key update codes into RivCross. Either cut and paste the
update codes into this text box, or use the Browse for File button to locate the file that contains the
update codes. If there is extra text included in this file the program will ignore it. The only
requirement is that all the product update strings be present. Note that the update codes are
coded with the key serial number. A code for one key will not work with another.
Step 3: Update the Key. Click on the Update Key button. This will download the update codes to
the key and perform the actual update. Go back to the previous screen (Main Hardware Key
screen) and click Read Key to verify that the Key was in fact updated.
I.I Definitions
Entry Point: The Entry Point is a set of 6 numbers that describe the entry point for the job. The
Entry Point is the point of first penetration by the drill bit. The Entry Point consists of the following:
Measured Distance: The length of pipe in the hole at the Entry Point. Normally
set to zero.
Inclination: The inclination of the pipe at the Entry Point.
Azimuth: Azimuth of the pipe at the Entry Point.
Away, Elev, Right: Coordinates of the Entry Point.
Baseline Azimuth: The Baseline Azimuth is the angle from Magnetic North to the Away axis. This
is the magnetic azimuth the tool would read if laid down on the Away axis in an environment free of
any magnetic interference.
Dip: The angle of declination of the Earths magnetic field. Magnetic dip is 0 at the magnetic
equator and 90 at each of the magnetic poles. Also called magnetic inclination.
Plot Series: In RivCross beta, the graphical display of survey data is controlled and customized
with Plot Series. The user may create as many Plot Series as necessary. For example, one Plot
Series holds all the shots for the main borehole, and another Plot Series can be created to hold all
the shots for a side bore. Each Series is then displayed as a separate color. See The Plot Series
chapter for more information.
Final Shot: The Final Shot designation is used to mark one shot at a particular Measured
Distance as the shot that will be used when calculating the survey. The Final Shot is automatically
applied to the last shot at a given Measured Distance, however this designation can be changed at
a later time in the Shot Data Summary Table.
AHsX: Angle High side to X is the angle between current tool High Side and what the Gx sensor is
reading. This angle changes continuously as the tool rolls, and would be 0 when Gx is pointing up
with High Side.
Installation of RivCross is contained within an installer package that generally allows for a
simple installation procedure. If an old version of RivCross is installed, it must be removed through
the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs option before installing the current version. The most
current version of RivCross is always available for download at www.vectormagnetics.com.
Download the file, and follow the instructions to install it. The PC it is installed on must be running
Windows XP Pro and must have the Dot Net Framework from Microsoft (a link to download it can
be found on our website). A Hardware Key is also required to take guidance data shots.
Installation issues:
If RivCross Beta fails to install or you get unusual errors when you try to take a shot here
are some things to try:
Open a Windows Explorer window and navigate to C:\Program Files\Vector
Magnetics\RivCross Beta. On the Start Menu open Run Type in regsvr32 and drag the
following files (from C:\Program Files\RivCross Beta) into the Run window one at a time:
acsolcalc_x_x.dll
matlabutils_x_x.dll
mSurveyLib_x_x.dll
p2lib_x_x.dll
(x stands for a single digit, i.e. p2lib_1_2.dll)
Now navigate to C:\VMLib\bin\win32. Find mwcomutil.dll and drag it into the Run
window. Now click OK. Five windows should pop up in sequence notifying you that the files were
registered.
It is important that you drag each file individually into the Run window. If you drag multiple
files only the one that is first alphabetically will be entered. You may also click OK after each file is
dragged in, and then reopen the Run window after it registers that file.
I.III Troubleshooting
Invalid Checksum
An Invalid Checksum error while taking or monitoring data with either Paratrack 1 or 2
usually indicates a problem with the data connection between the Interface (Power Supply) Unit
and the computer. Check for connection or wiring problems between these devices. (This may
also occur when RivCross is writing to the key.)
In some cases, usually after a new installation of RivCross, a flashing Invalid Checksum
in the Paratrack 1 or 2 windows may be caused by a COM port conflict. This sometimes occurs
when additional COM ports have been added to the machine, and RivCross is using the wrong
COM driver. Removing all COM ports via Start Control Panel System Hardware
Device Manager and restarting the computer to allow Windows to auto-detect the COM ports
should fix this problem.
I.IV Paratrack I and II; When to Use the Z Sensor and Calculate Azimuth Check Box
When the tool is parallel to a straight section of wire, the majority of the signal is on the X
and Y magnetic sensors of the steering tool, with very little signal on the axial (Z) sensor. In this
situation the Z sensor is not used for positional calculation. Very low Bz (Hz in Paratrack II) signal
indicates that the steering tool is parallel to the wire. The signal on Bz (or Hz) increases in
proportion to the angle between the steering tool and the wire. Using the signal from B or Hz allows
for an independent calculation of the tool azimuth based on the wire signal. This can be useful as
an alternate way to confirm the tool azimuth without relying on the Earths field. Note that RivCross
defaults to using the steering tool azimuth to calculate the survey, so in order to override the
steering tool azimuth and use the calculated azimuth, the user must manually enter the azimuth
reported by B/Hz. It is recommended to not check use Hz for guidance calculations when nearly
parallel to a straight wire leg unless a tool azimuth based on the wire magnetic field is desired.
Survey Accuracy:
Inclination: 0.1
Azimuth: 0.4
Toolface: 0.5
Maximum wireline length: 5000 meters
Interface Unit
Input: 85-265 VAC 50-60 HZ
Output: 48VDC, 50mA
Guidance System:
A single signal wire earthed at each end or with a return wire to close the loop.
Guidance Unit Input: 85-265 VAC 50-60 HZ
Guidance Unit Output: 34 VRMS, 6 Amps p-p max.
Position Accuracy: 2% of separation from signal wire