Drilling and Evaluation

TruTrak
Automated directional drilling system
Answering the need for improved
drilling precision and efficiency
Simple wells are not so simple anymore
While 2D J- and S-shaped profiles remain the well
design of choice in many fields, rising spread costs are
pushing operators to drill these wells with maximum
efficiency and minimal non-productive time (NPT). And,
as the easy targets disappear, precise well placement
within a relatively small reservoir target has become
more critical than ever.
Baker Hughes’ TruTrak™ automated directional drilling
service offers a precise, highly efficient answer for drilling
low inclination well profiles. Optimizing gross penetration
rates to drill them faster than previously possible.
Significantly enhancing wellbore quality to simplify
casing and completion runs. Dramatically improving
placement precision to speed up recovery and maximize
hydrocarbon production over the life of the well.
Baker Hughes
offers drillers
greater operational
efficiency and a
higher level of
confidence in their
well placement.
Answer with confidence.
The integrated TruTrak system represents another major leap
forward in Baker Hughes’ directional drilling capabilities by
offering drillers greater operational efficiency and a higher
level of confidence in their well placement.
This confidence is based on our TruTrak service which
incorporates field-proven, automated steering control
(as used in our established AutoTrak™ and VertiTrak™
services), and integrated directional measurement while
drilling (MWD) and the industry’s premier X-treme™ motor
technology. Together, these best-in-class technologies
provide operators the answers they need for optimal well
path control and unmatched drilling efficiency.
And, thanks to the system’s modular design, even more
real-time answers can be obtained with the addition of
further dynamics and formation evaluation sensors if
required by the application.
Precise, J-shaped profile drilled by TruTrak Service
With the TruTrak service, operators can adjust their well designs to
minimize measured depth to target, reduce torque/drag and lower
bending fatigue of the drillstring.
Engineered for power and precision
Baker Hughes’ engineers and applications experts designed the
TruTrak automated directional drilling system to provide multiple,
efficient answers for today’s demanding drilling environments.
Our TruTrak service facilitates rapid penetration rates and
precise well placement by automating downhole steering—now
drilling 2D well profiles is faster and more accurate than with
A precise, high-quality hole
Using near-bit inclination measurements, our TruTrak service
can automatically maintain a high-quality well path. The
system’s integrated downhole motor provides the power
needed to:
„„ Smoothly kick off from vertical and build or drop angle

conventional drilling tools and techniques. with variable steering force

„„ Efficiently drill tangents in automatic inclination hold mode

Because we designed the TruTrak system to drill vertical and „„ Precisely adjust steering forces for smooth azimuthal control

low-angle holes, it can deliver superior penetration rates while
operating in a sliding mode with bit rotation provided by our
powerful X-treme motor. We can even switch out the system’s
power section based on application specific requirements
(e.g., a high-speed power section for impregnated bits in very
hard and abrasive formations).
in the tangent section
And, although the system is designed for highly efficient slide
drilling in vertical and low-angle holes, the steering ribs can be
retracted quickly if rotation is required (e.g., exiting a casing shoe).

The TruTrak system’s near-bit sensors measure hole

inclination and azimuth, and constantly transmit the data
to the surface. Whenever its sensors detect a deviation from
the desired inclination, the TruTrak system automatically
and precisely steers the well back on track—regardless of
formation dips or other downhole conditions.

During build and drop sections or azimuthal corrections,

the TruTrak system’s steering pads can turn the well up to
5°/100 ft. (Corresponds to a maximum BUR of 43/4-in. TruTrak.)
The system’s closed-loop control provides continuous course
corrections without surface intervention to minimize well
tortuosity—providing drillers the answers they need for lower
torque and drag, reduced twist-off risks and fewer stick/slip
problems. As a result, the TruTrak service reduces both bottom
hole assembly (BHA) and casing
­­­­­ wear throughout the well’s
life cycle.

One answer for multiple drilling challenges
Drilling low inclination wells using conventional directional
motor technology has often proved challenging. Due to the low
friction between the BHA and the borehole, it’s often challenging
and time-consuming to maintain the stable tool face orientation
necessary for consistent directional control. Because of this,
operators often plan the kick-off point of J- or S-shaped wells
deeper in the profile than is really necessary to deliberately
increase the tangent section’s inclination and simplify tool face
orientation. While this approach does have some benefits, it
can complicate directional corrections in faulted and dipped
formations and lead to high local doglegs.
A better, more cost-effective answer
With the TruTrak service, steering from vertical is not an
issue. The system’s closed-loop pad steering is continuous,
Operators using the service
can count on simplified casing
runs and plan their lean casing
profiles with confidence.
automatically controlling and correcting well inclination without
sacrificing the desired drilling parameters since it is totally
independant from hydraulics. TruTrak delivers well path control
more efficiently than conventional directional drilling tools. Baker
Hughes can help operators adjust well designs with confidence
to minimize measured depth to target, reduce torque and drag
and lower bending fatigue of the drillstring.
Superior hole quality delivered at superior ROP
Baker Hughes is committed to drilling superior, in-gauge holes
for our customers. Thanks to the TruTrak system, that job has just
become much easier. The TruTrak system’s improved hole quality
has eliminated many previously required reaming runs, and
operators using the service can count on simplified casing runs
and plan their lean casing profiles with confidence.
In addition to improved steering control and
hole quality, the Baker Hughes’ TruTrak service
delivers the performance drilling answers many
operators seek by reducing connection times
and improving gross rate of penetration (ROP).
The service can also extend a rig’s capabilities
and minimize BHA and drillstring wear by
reducing torque and drag in the hole.
Another answer while drilling
The TruTrak automated directional drilling
service represents another breakthrough for
Baker Hughes’ directional drilling technologies,
products and services. Each application of the
TruTrak service is backed by superior Baker
Hughes quality that operators have come
to depend on—from unmatched system
designs and best-in-class manufacturing
processes to thorough pre-well planning and
experienced wellsite personnel. And, while the
TruTrak system incorporates hole inclination
and azimuthal measurements, the system is
compatible with Baker Hughes’ more advanced
MWD and logging-while-drilling (LWD)
measurements for more comprehensive real-
time answers.
When you need practical solutions to your
daily drilling challenges, you can count on
the Answers While Drilling provided by
Baker Hughes’ TruTrak automated directional
drilling service.
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