On the Need for Accurate Monitoring of the Geomagnetic Field during Directional Drilling in the Russian Arctic

Abstract—The readings of well magnetometers used in directional drilling may be distorted by geomagnetic storms and substorms. These distortions occur most often in auroral latitudes. The goal of this research is to study how sporadic fluctuations of the magnetic field during geomagnetic storms impact the key parameters of the drilling path during the Earth’s magnetic field navigation. This research covers the mechanisms of deviations of well profile parameters during geomagnetic disturbances of various intensity in the range from middle to high latitudes, including for virtual deposits inside and outside the auroral oval. In geographical latitudes the impact on geometrical parameters of the borehole becomes critical and results in unacceptable deviations. Consequently, rapid magnetic field variations are measured in real time by high accuracy magnetometric equipment as part of the high technology process of hydrocarbon production in the Arctic. Thus, it makes as relevant as never before to deploy and maintain stationary geomagnetic observatories in high-latitude areas and to develop intellectual methods of processing of geomagnetic measurements.