You can connect Mezintel Gamma to EDR depth tracking systems or MWD decoding systems via two modes:
- Serial Port (i.e. COM Port Number & Baud Rate)
- Ethernet (i.e. IP Address and Telnet Port Number)
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Deriving Conductivity from Resistivity In Mezintel Gamma
The “Conductivity Deep” plot is derived from the “Res Deep” using (1/Resistivity Deep) * 1000
The screenshot below shows how to setup this feature in Mezintel Gamma (as of version 22.87.128). Continue reading
UPDATE: IFR Surveys Correction for MWD
Recommended: First read a brief background and the benefits of handling IFR surveys in Mezintel Gamma.
Exporting surveys for IFR correction is now even simpler in Mezintel Gamma.
As of version 22.20.129, an IFR Express Export feature combines 3 steps of the export process into one:
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Finding ‘Check Survey’ Spots
MWD operators often need to match surveys to particular points in a run. A common example of this is during ‘check survey’, which is recommended to be done near the last MWD survey on the previous run. For check survey, finding the last survey on the previous run is fairly straightforward since that survey is probably the very last survey done.
But how about when you need to identify survey locations beyond that, on preceding runs?
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Getting E-Signature File Into BreakTest
About E-Signatures
An E-Signature stands for: Electronic Signature, and it is an image file of one’s signature that shows up on BreakTest reports after clicking the ‘Reviewed By’ check box. A user must have signatory rights for the ‘Reviewed by’ check box to appear.
An example of an electronic signature is the one shown below
E-Signature showing on a BreakTest Report.
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How to Annotate Charts in Mezintel Gamma
There are two ways to annotate charts in Mezintel Gamma.
1. You can enter comments in EDIT PLOT window
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Building Mezintel Gamma Log With Default Minor And Major Increments
With Mezintel Gamma version 22.33.128, users have access to a utility for auto printing reports that enables the input of default minor and major increments. Please note that minor and major increments must be inputted and saved with each new job. The below figure demonstrates utilization of this utility to input default minor and major increments for a job.
Alternatively, this can also be achieved utilizing manual printing.
WITS Simulator for Drilling Depth Data
Often MWD operators and tool engineers need to simulate WITS data for depth. Depth simulation may be needed for training or shop testing where a depth tracking system (DTS) is not available, or for troubleshooting communication with a present DTS or EDR.
Mezintel Gamma software offers in-app simulation for both MWD and depth data, and this feature may suffice for training and testing purposes. However, how about in certain testing or troubleshooting scenarios when there’s need to simulate data as well as its transmission via a communications port — as would be with a depth tracking system or EDR?
In such cases, a dedicated WITS simulator application is very useful.
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Printing a Select Set of Test Rows
Once the reviewer approves test results in BreakTest, signing the test reports automatically archives them as PDF files. These PDF reports are snapshots of the e-form as it was when it was signed, and are ready to be emailed to the client.
For field density tests however, there may be times when you are required to provide your client with only a select set of the test rows on the report. You can do this by selecting the rows you want, and printing only those.
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Working on a Select Set of Test Rows
In BreakTest, concrete and soils test results are recorded on a long running table list on their e-forms (the list is broken up to fit letter-size pages for reporting). This continuous list simplifies managing the test results.
However, the list can get quite long for field density tests, and there are times when you need to work on certain field density test rows, and skip others. For example, you may need to assign proctors to only a set of applicable rows. Or if you’re approving the test results, you may need to skip certain rows due to inaccurate information. More purposes for this capability follows later in this article.
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WITS Format as used by Mezintel MWD Products
Download as DocumentMezintel Depth Tracker streams out ASCII data every 4 seconds via a 9-pin RS-232 male serial port. This data is in WITS format.
WITS (Wellsite Information Transfer Specification) is a 20 year old worldwide oil and gas industry standard that specifies how to format text-based (ASCII) drilling data for transmission between two devices connected by serial ports (RS-232) or by an Ethernet link.
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Right-click Menus for Quicker Operation
The chart section and survey table in Mezintel Gamma (version 22.00.085 [1]) now feature right-click menus.
Just right-click anywhere on the chart or on the surveys for a pop-up menu which contains the same items in the Choose Command drop-down menus for these sections.
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Are Your COM Ports Communicating Accurately?
Mezintel Gamma has a debug window which is commonly used for diagnosing serial port communication issues. One of our customers suggested that this feature would be even more useful if it can be accessed before actually loading a gamma job — instead of only from within a job.
Good idea! So we implemented his suggestion…[1]
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3 Ways to Specify Gamma Scale Factor
You can specify a gamma scale factor for each bit run in Mezintel Gamma (version 22.00.061 [1]) using a new built-in tool that helps you derive scale factors.
You can enter a scaling factor if you know it, otherwise, if you are unsure then you can calculate or find it from the Bit Runs window:
- In the Scale section under the bit run you want, double-click the value box for Gamma Scale Factor
→ The Get Scale Factor window opens
You may also click the … button to open up Get Scale Factor window.
Saving Multiple Log Plot Headers
Have you ever edited a log plot header to meet a requirement only to find yourself (or your colleagues) re-editing it several times to meet different requirements?
To make your work easier, you can now save multiple plot headers for the same job in Mezintel Gamma!
3 New Methods of Editing Gamma, ROP & Other Samples
In Mezintel Gamma, samples points logged when the drill bit is ‘off-bottom’ are not shown on the plot. This is useful because it allows you to safely remove points from the plot by manually setting them to be off-bottom. This hides the points rather than delete them. The hidden points can be revealed again by reverting them back to be ‘on-bottom’.
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Formatting the Timestamps in LAS Files
Mezintel Gamma allows you to customize the timestamp format in you LAS export. You may need to do this in order to meet a requirement for another software or the LAS file format preferred by a client.
As of version 22.00.038 [1], when exporting an LAS file you can choose how date & time is displayed in the LAS.
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How to Organize WITS Data to Send to EDR Provider
Mezintel Gamma continuously sends out data to depth tracking EDR providers such as Pason and RigSense (NOV).
On a regular basis, about every 5 seconds, WITS data packets are sent out as several lines of plain text (ASCII) that are usually comprised of Toolface, Surveys, and Gamma data.
As of version 22.00.031 [1], you have more control over the structure of the data packet.
An example of a packet of lines of WITS data as seen on the Captured Data view in Mezintel Gamma
Notice that a packet of WITS data starts with the symbols && and ends with the symbol !!
Handling Data Gaps in your Gamma Log Plots
As you know, sometimes MWD sample data may go missing for an extended interval of time while drilling continues. In such cases, there is a gap in the sample plot for the depth interval where data went missing.
Up until now Mezintel Gamma used to fill-in (or close) the gap with a straight line. However, some users wanted to control whether or not to show such gaps, so we have provided you with a new option to do just that.
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Renew Database to Regain Performance
Slow Performance Due to Accumulation of Jobs (more than 5 jobs)
Depending on your computer’s specs, Mezintel Gamma can start to run slow if you have accumulated about 5 or more jobs in addition to the default job templates. Some processes may even fail to complete when you have too many jobs. For example:
- Adding a new job may fail to complete
- Saving tie-in for the Survey Table may return an error
- Adding a new bit run may fail to complete
Run Program as Administrator
In order to successfully run a Mezintel program, you must run it as administrator. Mezintel software that is not running as administrator will encounter errors as some point of being used.
If the UAC dialog does not pop up when you try to run a Mezintel program, then it is not set to run as administrator.
When you try to run a Mezintel program as administrator, the User Account Control (UAC) dialog will pop-up by default.[1]
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New website & online support channels from Mezintel
We launched our new website a week ago on October 1st!
While it looks great, it also tells you more about our company and products, and comes with an online support system for our customers. In order to improve our customer service, we introduced the following three channels for delivering support online:
Company Blog
Photo: Sarah Mercer
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