1. Feature Overview
Use Cases for Rotation Telemetry Mode
• Fluid loss situations where maintaining pressure is difficult.
• Pump instability causing unreliable or fluctuating pressure.
• No or intermittent flow, making standard flow-based telemetry ineffective.
• Non-ideal downhole conditions that interrupt regular survey and telemetry acquisition.
• Rig/well-specific operations requiring alternative telemetry control methods.
How the Feature Works
• Bypasses flow: Uses rotation instead of flow to control telemetry and survey acquisition.
Rotation State Triggers
• Low → High Rotation:
o Triggers telemetry transmission.
o Sends configured Survey Sequence, followed by Rotating Sequence.
• High → Low Rotation:
o Tool resyncs.
o Sends Non-Rotating Sequence.
o Collects continuous background surveys.
o Stores the least noisy/highest quality survey in RAM for future transmission.
• When rotation resumes (Low → High again):
o The stored high-quality survey is telemetered to the surface.
Continuous Telemetry
• Once telemetry begins, the tool will continue pulsing until power is lost when Rotation Te-lemetry Mode is active.
Benefits
• Enables telemetry and surveys during fluid loss or low-pressure conditions.
• Avoids downtime caused by pressure/pump issues.
• Provides continuous survey coverage, even when rotation stops.
• Ensures only the best-quality survey is sent to surface.
• Flow is no longer required — greater flexibility in harsh or dynamic drilling conditions.
• Enhances operational efficiency, data quality, and drilling control.
Important Configuration & Limitations
• Flow Downlinking is disabled in Rotation Telemetry Mode.
• Rotation Downlinking remains available and can be used if desired.
• When Rotation Telemetry Mode is enabled:
o Eclipse Touch automatically enables Dynamic Sequences.
o Users must configure the Mode Matrix and Sequences accordingly.
o Ensure that Rotation Warning (RotW) is included in both Rotating and Non-Rotating Sequences.
2. Feature Description
The MicroPulse 3 Directional Controller has a Rotation Telemetry Mode feature included in its standard feature set starting with firmware version 2.4.x, that would allow end-users to use Rotation instead of Flow to control Telemetry and Survey Acquisition. This feature would ideally be used in cases when customers are losing fluid - resulting in difficulty maintaining pressure and incurring time delays to take surveys etc.
There are two stages to the Rotation Telemetry Mode feature:
- 1. Rotation state going from Low to High
- This trigger allows the tool to begin telemeter-ing data starting with the configured Survey Sequence followed by the Rotating Sequence.
- 2. Rotation state going from High to Low
- This trigger makes the tool resync and send non-rotating sequence while taking continuous surveys in the background. The MicroPulse saves the least noisy survey in RAM and uses the same for telemetry / transmission with the next Low to High transition of its rotation state.
- Since this feature would primarily be used in non-ideal circumstances, it is important to note the following :
- • Once the MicroPulse 3 tool begins telemeter-ing data it will continue to Pulse / Telemeter until it loses power when Rotation Telemetry Mode is enabled.
- • Flow Downlinking is disabled when the tool is in Rotation Telemetry Mode. Rotation Downlinking option is still available to customers, if desired.
- • Dynamic Sequences will be automatically enabled by Eclipse Touch when Rotation Telemetry Mode gets enabled.
- So it is important to make sure the user configures the Mode Matrix and Sequences accordingly with Rotation Warning (RotW) included in the rotating and non-rotating sequences.
2. SET UP INSTRUCTION
Rotation Telemetry Mode can be enabled from the GENERAL page of Eclipse Touch MWD editor as shown in Figure 2. It is also important to set up the Rotation Threshold and Rotation Evaluation Time properly to prevent undesired switching between Rotating and Non-Rotating states. These variables can also be found in the GENERAL page of Eclipse Touch MWD editor as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 2
Figure 3
- Rotation Threshold: This threshold is designed for the MicroPulse to know when rotation is high or low. Setting the threshold at 35 will ensure rotations per minute above 35 the MicroPulse will recognize a high state and below 35 the MicroPulse will recognize a low state.
- Note: Drilling plans very, be sure to check your BHA and well designs to properly configure the Rotation Threshold to your project demands.
- Rotation Evaluation Time: This is the amount of time rotation must be sustained to initiate a change in the rotation state of the MicroPulse from high / low.
Author:
Saravanan Pandiyan - Firmware Developer
