Sensors and Instrumentation for Downhole Environments - Challenges and Opportunities

This paper focuses on sensors and instrumentation utilized in the oil/gas industry for logging and well navigation and methods of downhole communication. To address the tradeoff between cost/reliability vs opportunity, currently available logging tools, such as wireline and logging-while-/measurement-while drilling (LWD/MWD) tools, and emerging technologies, such as mobile Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices, are reviewed from different aspects such as principles of operation, electronics, power generation, size, packaging and cost.