/PRODUCT REVIEW

DeviGyro miniature
survey tool
by Rune Lindhjem, Product Manager at Devico AS

DeviGyro’s 125 cm overshot design

Borehole surveying Still, instruments are often limited by barrels and running gears, depending on
functionality – performing accurately the application. Running gears adapt to the
technology has developed and efficiently in certain conditions, yet following modes: standard survey, overshot,
and improved rapidly in demonstrating severe limitation in other blast hole survey and core barrel head, and all
situations – in high latitudes, at near within one small DeviGyro sensor package.
recent years – driven by horizontal or vertical angles; or by being Before its release, the DeviGyro was subject
an increased focus on fragile or cumbersome in use. The DeviGyro to a thorough trial program, in cooperation
is Devico’s recently released product, with Downhole Surveys Australia, where
accuracy, efficiency and representing nearly 20 years of on-site it was compared with other leading survey
safety, combined with the feedback focused into one tool, from a tools – magnetic multi-shots, reference gyros,
specialized manufacturer of borehole north-seeking gyros, and breakout holes.
always increasing need of survey instruments. DeviGyro’s compact size and user-friendly
knowing the borehole’s true The DeviGyro instrument is a miniature, software proved popular, seeming easier to
non-magnetic survey tool delivering robust, handle and operate than its competition,
trajectory. This applies to efficient and accurate performance at any while delivering accuracy and quality control.
location and in any hole direction. Latest
all drilling industries and
technology, solid-state gyro sensors, fitted
boreholes – core- or RC- with back-up systems, quality control
Continuous operation
features and advanced navigational DeviGyro provides continuous operation for
drilled exploration holes, algorithms achieve reliable results in any efficient surveying with minimal impact on
blast or injection holes, condition or situation. the drilling operation itself. The surveying
The instrument itself is a 14 x 2.5 cm occurs while the tool assembly is lowered and
and even water wells and (5.51 x 0.98 in) probe (battery included), retrieved from the drill string at speeds of up
geothermal holes. that can be installed within various pressure to 100 meters per minute (330 ft per minute),

20 Coring Magazine #12

 meaning that a 1000-meter hole can
be surveyed twice – in and out in less
than 30 minutes. ‘Multi-shot mode’ is
also supported for situations where
continuous surveying is not possible, like
conventional drilling.
Depth is controlled during survey by the
DeviCounter – transmitting the depth data
wirelessly to a handheld Android device
for logging and display. The operator has
full control of the tool’s speed and current
depth, securing safe operation and accurate
trajectory calculations.
Continuous survey instruments are often
affected or limited by hole inclination,
and especially when the angle is close
to vertical. DeviGyro uses filtering and
navigational algorithms to avoid such
problems, maintaining accuracy while
surveying continuously – even in absolute
vertical holes.

Rotation while surveying

Internal bias and improper centralization are
common issues with surveying technology,
causing multiple errors if the survey tool
remains at a steady roll angle throughout
survey. The solution is to rotate the tool at
a constant rate to cancel bias and eliminate
centralization issues. DeviGyro uses patent
pending helix centralizers to automatically
rotate the tool as it moves inside the
drill string.
DeviGyro - Devico’s miniature downhole survey tool
Overshot mode
DeviGyro offers an ‘overshot mode’ where
it is assembled within a compact overshot
system. The patented, long-range wireless
antenna system allows communication
between the DeviGyro and a handheld
device without opening a single thread.
Rotating centralizers combat sensor drift
and misalignment.
DeviGyro’s overshot system can be
applied to most core drilling applications.
Its short length and ability to survey all
hole angles deem it ideal for smaller rigs
and underground drilling where alternate
overshot survey systems struggle due
to the short drill rig masts and confined
work spaces.

Reference options
DeviGyro measures changes in direction over
the length of the hole to secure accuracy and
stability at any location and in any direction.
Users can then reference the survey data with
Azimuth plot confirms DeviGyro’s data integrity, aligning with north-seeking surveys the most suitable angle alignment system for

Faster. Deeper. Safer. 21

/PRODUCT REVIEW

DeviGyro ready for surveying

their specific drill site. Dedicated, specialized the hole to target. DDH1 are renowned for hole was surveyed – in and out, and in less
north-seeking alignment solutions typically accuracy in deep hole directional drilling, than 75 minutes, with over 45 000 survey
provide greater accuracy than a downhole, employing two separate survey methods stations logged.
north-seeking survey tool. The DeviGyro can With the instrument back on surface,
on critical holes to ensure survey precision.
be packaged with such alignment options, the data was downloaded, processed and
DeviGyro was selected due to its unique
including the DeviAligner north-seeker and directly approved by the automatic quality
design and reputation for accuracy, while a assurance test. Results showed minimal
the DeviSight GPS alignment system.
single shot, north-seeking gyro measured difference between the two survey runs and
azimuth and dip every six meters drilled. a mere 0.16° azimuth difference, compared
2400-meter survey to the north-seeking gyro. These surveys
The DeviGyro was set up with standard
Since its launch, the DeviGyro has been running gear and auto-rotating centralizers, served as solid evidence that DeviGyro
used to survey a variety of drill holes, delivers accuracy and quality under
while the DeviCounter measured
including RC-, production- and core- extreme conditions. C
depth and velocity. The surveys were
drilled holes. Downhole Surveys Australia
completed notable surveys at a DDH1 performed as continuous surveys and
drill site in Western Australia. Namely, a completed with speeds averaging up to For more information
Website: devico.com
2410-meter deep, near-vertical hole, with 80 meters per minute (262 ft per minute).
Email: [email protected]
seven significant directional cuts to aim During final survey, the complete 2410-meter

22 Coring Magazine #12