Since its arrival in 1989, logging while drilling (LWD) technology has become an integral part of the industry. The possibility of real-time measurements, saving rig time, with the significant advantage of logging in better-shaped and less invaded boreholes, is the major advantage of LWD technology. Although LWD tools are developed with the aim to deliver results like those from wireline tools, the need to withstand harsh drilling conditions manifests as starkly different tool designs, thus precluding the acquisition of certain types of measurements or lowering the precision or accuracy of others.
Despite the significant advances that have been made in LWD technology, there is significant room to fully use its potential for advanced workflows. Because a significant amount of evaluation done in the industry today still uses conventional logs, it can be reasonably assumed that the capability and versatility of LWD tools is not always realized. The paper seeks to explain the value of LWD tools by systematically enlisting all relevant technology and discussing its current scope, limitations, and untapped potential.
