Monitoring While Drilling (MWD) utilizes data acquisition systems that play an increasingly crucial role in the geotechnical drilling industry. These systems log various physical drilling parameters to optimize the performance of a drilling machine and improve the efficiency of drilling operations by providing the drilling operator with relevant rig performance and subsurface profile information. The information gathered from MWD in terms of advance rate, crowd force, torque, rotation rate, drilling fluid flow, and pressure can be used individually or compounded to help describe subsurface stratigraphic layers and features as well as empirically predict soil and rock properties. While MWD systems are designed to measure parameters related to the drilling process, analysis of these measurements can be used to identify geological materials and help estimate physical, mechanical, and hydraulic soil and rock properties. These parameters are monitored automatically, continuously, and in real-time, providing valuable information about the subsurface and thus allowing the driller to optimize drilling operations on all geological materials while collecting data which ultimately can lead to improved site characterization.

The conference MWD’2 has two priority themes:

• Theme 1 – MWD to optimize the drilling process
  •    Improvements and innovations in sensor technology
  •    Proper selection and installation of monitoring equipment
  •    Optimal drilling techniques for various geological conditions
  •    Effects of drilling techniques on monitored parameters
  •    Support and training for seasoned and new drillers
   
• Theme 2 – Analysis of MWD  
  •    Data processing and filtering
  •    Real-time assessment of drilling parameters for stratigraphic profiling
  •    Correlations of MWD data to geotechnical properties
  •    Development or improvement of empirical methods for assessing soil and rock properties
  •    Innovative use of MWD data