High Temperature Inertial Navigation Sensors, Electronics and Packaging for reliable 300°C Operation

Abstract

Conventional oil and gas drilling measurement while drilling (MWD) systems are typically designed to operate at temperatures <200°C. To increase the efficiency of drilling unconventional geothermal wells, downhole MWD tools are needed that can operate in the unique thermal challenges encountered in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). GE demonstrated a 300°C downhole navigation system. The system utilizes GE’s internally developed state-of-the-art MEMS multiple ring Gyroscope (MRG), and a high temperature gyroscope control and readout application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The MRG, ASIC and associated high temperature, high reliability packaging were integrated to demonstrate the performance and functionality of the gyroscope across the temperature range from room temperature to 300°C. Specialized long-term capable high temperature test platforms were developed to enable the characterization and testing of the gyroscope system and utilized to validate application-relevant lifetime capability.