El-Sheimy, Naser JrChao, Daihong Jr2016-07-062016-07-0620162016Chao, D. J. (2016). A Low-cost SINS-based MWD Method for Directional Drilling Applications (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24775http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3106In oil and gas drilling applications, the need to continually survey the trajectory between stationary survey stations is crucial, especially during a directional drilling process. A potential solution for the uninterrupted survey of boreholes does exist. It involves a low-cost SINS-based measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system integrating external rig drilling parameters with MEMS’ inertial sensor measurements based on non-linear Unscented Kalman filter (UKF). The main objective of this thesis is to design and test algorithms for this type of system to overcome typical challenges associated with drilling and survey interruptions, such as long-term drift error, and large, harsh-drilling-environment-induced MEMS errors. A simulation platform was developed to monitor how this proposed system operated in soft and hard formations, with Type 2 trajectories, at different speeds to represent the soft and hard formations, respectively. The ensuing results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed algorithms.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Engineering--PetroleumGeotechnologyOil and GasDirectional drillingMeasurement-while-drillingStrapdown navigation systemMicro-Electro-Mechanical Systemsmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/24775