RivCross Operating Manual 1.02

TM
RivCross Operating Manual

Version 1.01
March, 2004
Table of Contents
RivCross Operating Manual Last Updated On:
Authors: Herb Susmann, Ben Smith, Jed Sheckler March 17, 2004
Chapter 1: RivCross Software Overview Chapter 16: Creating a New Survey When
Sidetracking
Chapter 2: Starting a New Job
Chapter 17: Edit Surveys
Chapter 3: The Tool Data Input Form
Chapter 18: Pressure Readings and Logging
Chapter 4: The Paratrack 1 Input Form
Chapter 19: The Program Options Form
Chapter 5: The Paratrack 2 Input Form
Chapter 20: Wires
Chapter 6: The AC Solenoid Input Form
Chapter 21: The Wire Current/Distance
Chapter 7: The AC Signal Analysis Form Relationship
Chapter 8: Shot Data Summary Table Chapter 22: Guide Wire and Survey Probe
Power Supplies
Chapter 9: Survey Summary Table
Chapter 23: Making Up the Pressure Module
Chapter 10: The View/Edit Shots Form
Chapter 24: Rods Table
Chapter 11: The Plan View
Chapter 25: Plot Series
Chapter 12: The Vertical Section View
Chapter 26: Tool Face Display, Log, and
Chapter 13: The End View Job Info
Chapter 14: BTotal/Dip Plot Chapter 27: The Hardware Key
Chapter 15: The Export Data Form Chapter 28: Appendix
Copyright Vector Magnetics LLC Contents Go Back W1 X

RivCross Software Overview
RivCross is a steering and guidance (or tracking) package that is used for drilling
horizontal bores for HDD applications. RivCross integrates tracking and survey data from Vector
Magnetics steering tools (Paratrack tools) and various guidance sources as well as third party
steering tools. It provides a unified software environment that tracks surveys and guidance
measurements and provides the driller with a graphical view of the drilling job.
RivCross supports the following tracking systems provided by Vector Magnetics:
Paratrack I, DC wire guidance system

Paratrack II, AC wire guidance system
AC Solenoid, Magnetic beacon guidance system
These tracking systems determine location of the steering tool underground by

measurement of magnetic fields from a wire grid or magnetic beacon. RivCross also handles
steering tool survey data directly and provides the capability to calculate tool position based on
inclination and azimuth measurements. Calculations based on a series of borehole direction
readings alone are referred to here as surveys. A survey report shows the calculated steering
tool coordinates given a series of measured distance, inclination, and azimuth measurements.
Coordinate System
RivCross uses the conventional HDD coordinate system of Away, Elevation, Right. The
Away axis is horizontal and points in the direction of drilling. The Elevation axis is up (i.e. opposite
of gravity). The Right axis is also horizontal and points to the right of the Away axis. The Away,
Elevation, and Right axes are all perpendicular to one another, and form a right handed orthogonal
coordinate system.
Baseline Azimuth
The Baseline Azimuth is the angle from Magnetic North to the Away axis. This is the
magnetic azimuth the tool would read if laid down on the Away axis in an environment free of any
magnetic interference.
Tracking Measured Distance

RivCross keeps track of the total amount of pipe in the hole. This length is called
Measured Distance, and is the length along the drill pipe from the surface to the steering tools
magnetic sensors. A table of pipe, or rod lengths is maintained by RivCross to aid the driller in
calculating where the steering tool sensors are at any time. This is called the Rods Table, and
simply shows the length of each piece of drill pipe and the total length of all drill pipe in the bore at
each connection. A sample Rod Table is shown below.

RivCross Software Overview
Figure 1: Sample Rod Table
Surveys
RivCross uses the surveyed (i.e. calculated from borehole direction readings) coordinate
as a first guess for all tracking calculations. For this reason, it is imperative that RivCross be
operated in such a way that the survey is always up to date and adjusted so it is reasonably close
to the actual steering tool location.
Job Files
RivCross organizes all data for a particular crossing or job in a .job file. This allows the
job to be reloaded if the RivCross program is shut down. A .job file keeps track of all information
relating to that job. See Starting a New Job for details.

Starting a New Job
After starting RivCross the following screen will come up.
Click on the New Job button to start. The program will prompt you to create a job
filename. Note the folder that this new file will be created in, and select another folder if necessary.
Enter a meaningful name for this job and click on Save. The program will append a .job file
suffix automatically to the name you enter. Clicking Save will bring you to the main RivCross
window. Two forms are visible inside the main RivCross form. The first is the New Job Wizard and
the other is the Tool Data Form.
New Job Wizard

The New Job Wizard is a simple checklist of things that must be set up before starting a
job. Proceed down the list by clicking on each button in sequence. After each setup item, close
each form to return to the wizard and then do the next item in the wizard list. Click on the links
below for more information. Items that need to be set up are as follows:
Units Choose Feet or Meters
Entry Point The coordinates and direction of the start of the bore.
Baseline Azimuth The Azimuth of the away axis with respect to magnetic north.
COM Port Settings Selects which RS232 port is used for the Steering Tool and
which is used for the Hardware Key
Rods Table of drill rod lengths used to automatically calculate the Measured
Distance. This information can be imported from another file.
Wires Coordinates of wire vertices if Paratrack I or Paratrack II is being used.
AC Solenoids Coordinates and other parameters relating to the AC Solenoid
locations. Only used if AC Solenoid is being used.
Load an Existing Job
It is possible to load an existing job file after shutting down the program. Either choose an
existing recent job, or Browse to the folder that contains the job file you would like to open.

Tool Data Input Form
Authors: Herb Sussman, Ben Smith, Jed Sheckler March 17, 2004
After filling out the New Job Wizard form it is necessary to fill out the Tool Data form.
This form is broken up into several different frames.
Tool Position
The measured distance is entered here. The measured distance is selected by picking a
rod number. The rods table will supply the total measured distance at the end of the selected rod.
If it is necessary to take a shot from a position other than at the exact end of a rod, that amount
may be entered in the Additional distance beyond rod end box below. The measured distance is
the rod distance plus the additional distance. The current setting of the Baseline Azimuth is also
shown here. To change the Baseline Azimuth, go to File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth.
Tool Data Form
Magnetic Data
The DC Magnetic sensor readings are shown here. Individual sensor values can be seen
by placing the mouse over the BTotal box. Smoothing (filtering) can be altered by going to the File
Program Settings menu and clicking on the Averaging tab.
Active Plot Series

In RivCross beta, the graphical display of survey data is controlled and customized with
Plot Series. The user may create as many Plot Series as necessary. For example, one Plot
Series holds all the shots for the main borehole, and another Plot Series can be created to hold all
the shots for a side bore. Each Series is then displayed as a separate color. The Active Plot
Series frame shows the series that new steering tool shots will be assigned to, and the color they
will be plotted with. The active plot series can be changed from the Edit Plot Series menu
selection. See the Plot Series chapter for more information.

Tool Data Input Form
Sensor Tool Orientation

Current tool azimuth, inclination, and roll angle (Angle High Side to Tool Face and Angle
High side to X) values are displayed here. Individual gravity sensor readings can be shown by
placing the mouse over the GTotal box. AHsX can be seen by placing the mouse over the Angle
High Side to Tool Face box. (See the Appendix for a definition of AHsX and information on sensor
locations and orientations). The azimuth reported by the tool (with respect to magnetic north) is
reported in this frame as well. If there is a need to correct for a know azimuth error, input that
difference into the Azimuth Correction box. Both the tool azimuth and the corrected azimuth will be
shown. The corrected azimuth will be the one that is used for all calculations and surveys. If no
correction is needed, leave this box at 0. Tool inclination is also reported in this frame. Note that
there is an Inclination Bias parameter that can be set in the File Program Settings Baseline
Azimuth page.
A subset of the Steering Tool Orientation frame is the Tool Face Offset sub-frame. This
parameter sets the angle from the actual bent housing or bit tool face to the probe tool face, the X
sensor axis. This normally gets set once at the beginning of the job, or whenever the bit is
changed. This parameter may either be set manually or set automatically to the current roll angle.
Normally, one would set the drill bit tool face high (up) and then click on this button to store the
Tool Face Offset in the program. It is good practice to note this value in your logbook in case it
needs to be reset manually.
Other Tool Data

Temperature: Displays tool temperature in degrees Celsius.
Tool Voltage: This is the voltage at the input of the tool. Normally this should be between 40 and
45 volts. Low tool voltage often indicates a wireline problem.
Pipe Pressure: This is the current reading of the drill pipe pressure sensor (at the pressure sub).
This feature is only available when running with the Vector Magnetics Pressure Module and
Pressure Orienting Sub.
Annular Pressure: This is the current reading of the annulus pressure at the pressure sub. This
feature is only available when running with the Vector Magnetics Pressure Module and Pressure
Orienting Sub.
Create New Survey Shot button: Click on this button to record the current steering tool readings
and create a new steering tool shot. Steering tool shots are added to the current survey (when
their Mark as Final flag is set). New shots by default have this flag set if the Mark New Shots
Final check box is checked on the Averaging tab in File Program Settings.

Paratrack 1 Input Form
The Paratrack 1 Input Form is accessed via the Windows Paratrack 1 menu selection.
There are several things that must be filled out prior to taking a Paratrack 1 shot.
Tool Position
Azimuth.
Steering Tool Orientation

Current tool azimuth, inclination and roll angle (Angle High Side to Tool Face, AHsX)
values are displayed here. Individual gravity sensor readings can be shown by placing the mouse
over the GTotal box. The AHsX sensor angle can be seen by placing the mouse over the Angle
High Side to Tool Face box. The azimuth reported by the tool (with respect to magnetic north) is
reported in this frame as well. If there is a need to correct for a know azimuth error input that
Azimuth page.

parameter sets the angle from the actual tool face to the X sensor. This normally gets set once at
the beginning of the job, or whenever the bit is changed. This parameter may either be set
manually or automatically set to the current roll angle. Normally, one would set the drill bit tool face
high (up) and then click on this button to store the Tool Face Offset in the program. It is good
practice to note this value in your logbook in case it needs to get reset manually.
Magnetic Data
+Amps: Enter the positive wire current into this box.
-Amps: Enter the negative wire current into this box.
Positive Frame: Displays the DC magnetic sensor readings for the positive shot.
Negative Frame: Displays the DC magnetic sensor readings for the negative shot.
Capture Zero Data Button: Click this to capture the DC magnetic readings when no current is
applied to the wire.
Capture Positive Data Button: Click this to capture the magnetic readings when positive wire
current is applied.
Capture Negative Data Button: Click this to capture the magnetic readings when negative wire
current is applied.
Note that after you click on one of these three buttons it will change color to white to
indicate that you have recorded this data. Once all three buttons have been clicked the Create
New Paratrack I Shot button will become active. The user can always click on one of the three
capture buttons again to re-record data before creating a new shot.
Other Tool Data

45 volts. Low tool voltage indicates a wireline problem.
Pipe Pressure: This is the current reading of the drill pipe pressure sensor (at the pressure
module). This feature is only available when running with the Vector Magnetics Pressure Module
and Pressure Orienting Sub.
feature is only available when running with the Vector Magnetics Pressure Module and Pressure
Orienting Sub.
Use Bz Check Box

When this is checked all three magnetic sensor readings are used to compute a position.
When this is not checked only the x and y sensor values are used in the calculation. When drilling
under or beside a nominally straight part of the wire you should leave this box unchecked, as
there is no significant Bz signal in this case. See When to Use the Z Sensor for more information
regarding when to use Bz.
Calculate Az. Check Box

This is only enabled when the Use Bz box is checked. Checking this box will cause the
software to compute the steering tool azimuth based on the magnetic field from the guide wire.

Under certain circumstances, this can be used as diagnostic tool. See the When to Use the Z
Sensor for more information on when to use the Calculate Az. Check box.
Active Readings Frame: Displays the current tool magnetic readings. (Bxyz, Dip, Btotal).
Active Plot Series: This frame shows the currently active plot series. New steering tool shots will
be assigned this plot series. The active plot series can be changed from the Edit Plot Series
menu selection.
Reset Button on the Bx Plot

This will clear the Bx and By graphs and start plotting from the left side again. Use this to
remove a large DC value from the plots that was the result of tool movement.
Create New Paratrack I Shot button: This button records the Paratrack I data and makes a new
shot entry in the database. This button is disabled until all three of the Capture buttons have been
pressed.
Taking a Paratrack I Shot
1. Stop drilling. Let tool data settle by watching the two graphs of Bx and By.
2. Select the current measured distance by selecting a rod end from the Tool is at end of
rod combo box. If the rod table needs to be updated to include the last rod drilled,
then go to the Edit Rods menu and add the rod length first.
3. If the tool is not at an even rod position, enter an additional measured distance in the
Additional distance beyond rod end box. This value can be positive or negative and
is added to the measured distance from the rod table.
4. Enter an azimuth correction if needed or alternatively, plug an azimuth directly into the
Corrected Azimuth box.
5. With zero wire current click on the Capture Zero Data button to record the tool
readings. This data is used in the survey.
6. Enter the positive wire current into the +Amps box and apply positive wire current.
7. Wait for the Bx and By plots to stabilize.
8. Click on the Capture Positive Data button.
9. Enter the negative wire current into the Amps box and apply negative wire current.
10. Wait for Bx and By to stabilize.
11. Click on the Capture Negative Data button.
12. If all data was taken correctly, click on the Create New Paratrack I Shot button. If
some of the data needs to be re-taken, do that first.
13. The shot results will appear in the Shot Summary Table accessible from View Shot
Data Summary Table.
14. Additional shots can be taken by repeating the procedure from step 5 through step 12.
15. See the Appendix for information on how to change which shot is the Final Shot for a
given measured distance or if your shot does not converge.

The Paratrack 2 Input Form is accessed via the Windows Paratrack 2 menu selection.
There are several things that must be filled out prior to taking a Paratrack 2 shot.
Tool Position
Azimuth.

over the Gtotal box. The AHsX sensor angle can be seen by placing the mouse over the Angle
reported in this frame as well. If there is a need to correct for a know azimuth error, input that
Copyright Vector Magnetics LLC Contents Go Back W 10 X

Azimuth page.
Magnetic Data
BTotal: The total DC magnetic field reading in nanoTesla.
HTotal: The total AC magnetic field reading in microamps per meter.
Dip: The measured magnetic dip angle (horizontal to magnetic field direction).
Wire Current: Enter the AC wire current in this box in Amps peak-peak. This value is read off the
Guide Wire Power Supply LED readout.
Toggle Gain: Press this button to toggle between High Gain Mode (default) and Low Gain Mode.
Low gain should only be used in extreme situations where the steering tool is very close to the wire
and the AC sensors are being saturated by the very high AC field present. This should not
normally be used with Paratrack II, but is provided nonetheless as an emergency option. If the AC
sensors are saturating the first recourse should be to reduce the wire current so that the sensors
do not saturate.
Other Tool Data

Annular Pressure: This is the current reading of the annulus pressure at the pressure sub.
Annular and Pipe Pressure are only available with a Pressure Module and Pressure Orienting Sub.
Hz Check Box
Checking this option uses the Hz sensor as well as the Hx and Hy sensors for the distance
calculation. When this box is not checked only the Hx and Hy sensors are used. Checking this
box enables the Calculate Azimuth box. When drilling nominally parallel to the wire then the Use
Hz box should NOT be checked. See When To Use The Z Sensor for more information.
Calculate Azimuth Check Box

This option is only enabled when the Use Hz box is checked. This option allows for an
independent calculation of the tool azimuth based on the AC wire signal. This can be useful as an
alternate way to confirm the tool azimuth without relying on the Earths field. See Calculating
Azimuth from the Z Sensor Reading for more details.

Active Plot Series

This frame shows the currently active plot series. New steering tool shots will be assigned
this plot series. The active plot series can be changed from the Edit Plot Series menu selection.
Reset Button on the Hx Plot

This will clear the graphs and start plotting from the left side again. Use this to remove a
large AC value from the plots that was the result of tool movement.
Create New Paratrack II Shot Button

Click this to take a Paratrack II shot. AC data should be stable and the correct measured
distance, tool azimuth, wire current, etc. should be entered first.
Procedure for Taking a Paratrack II Shot

1. Select the measured distance by selecting the correct rod end in the Tool is at end of
rod combo box. If needed, edit the rods table first in the Edit Rods menu.
2. Add any additional distance onto the rod distance in the Additional distance beyond
rod end box. This value can be either positive or negative and will be added to the
distance from the selected rod to form the final Measured Distance for the shot.
3. Enter any necessary azimuth correction in the Azimuth Correction box. Alternatively,
plug a tool azimuth in the Corrected Azimuth box.
4. Enter the AC wire current in the Wire Current box.
5. Click on Create New Paratrack 2 Shot.
6. Results of the shot show up in the Shot Data Summary Table.

AC Solenoid Input Form
The AC Solenoid Input Form is accessed via the Windows AC Solenoid menu
selection. There are several things that must be filled out prior to taking an AC Solenoid shot.
Tool Position
Azimuth.

over the Gtotal box. The AHsX sensor angle can be seen by placing the mouse over the Angle
reported in this frame as well. If there is a need to correct for a know azimuth error input that

Azimuth page.
Magnetic Data
Btotal: The total DC magnetic field reading in nanoTesla.
Htotal: The total AC magnetic field reading in microamps per meter.
Dip: The measured magnetic dip angle (horizontal to magnetic field direction).
Other Tool Data

This feature is only available when running with the Vector Magnetics Pressure Sub.
feature is only available when running with the Vector Magnetics Pressure Sub.
Play Solenoid Start Tone Button

This will play the tones to turn on the AC solenoid via radio link. See Controlling the AC
Solenoid for details.
Active Plot Series

This frame shows the currently active plot series. New steering tool shots will be assigned
this plot series. The active plot series can be changed from the Edit Plot Series menu selection.
Number of Samples Combo Box
Selects the number of AC samples to collect before

performing a distance calculation. This determines the
degree of signal averaging. The normal setting is 504,
which is a reasonable tradeoff between data collection time
and position accuracy for most situations.
Reset Button on Data Plot

This button clears the AC data plot. Use this to remove a large AC value from the plot that
was the result of tool movement. The Clear button performs the same task.

Start Button
This will start the data acquisition process and the software will begin accumulating the
number of samples selected. After all the samples have been accumulated, a signal quality plot
appears. Click OK to accept the data and perform a position calculation.
Taking An AC Solenoid Shot
8. Select the measured distance by selecting the correct rod end in the Tool is at end of
rod combo box. If needed, edit the rods table first in the Edit Rods menu.
9. Add any additional distance onto the rod distance in the Additional distance beyond
rod end box. This value can be either positive or negative and will be added to the
distance from the selected rod to form the final Measured Distance for the shot.
10. Enter any necessary azimuth correction in the Azimuth Correction box. Alternatively,
plug a tool azimuth in the Corrected Azimuth box.
11. Set the data averaging in the # of samples box.
12. When the data plot is stable, click on the Start button to begin acquiring data.
13. Click OK on the AC Signal Analysis Window that pops up.
14. Results of the shot show up in the Shot Data Summary Table accessible from the View
Shot Data Summary Table menu option.
15. Additional shots can be taken by clicking on the Start button again.

AC Signal Analysis Form
The AC Signal Analysis form is accessed via the Windows Signal Analysis menu
selection. This window is used to analyze the AC data coming from the tool. This can be used any
time there is a question as to whether there is interference to either the Paratrack 2 or AC Solenoid
signal. Options are present for plotting a block of AC data either in the Time domain (Raw Data
option) or in the Frequency domain (Frequency-Linear or Frequency-Decibels).
Frequency-Linear option
Plots the Fourier Transform of the data with a linear amplitude scale. Frequency is plotted
on the horizontal axis and the relative amplitude is plotted on the vertical axis. Paratrack 2 uses an
AC signal at 3.00 Hz and the AC Solenoid uses both 2.00 Hz and 2.2857 Hz. By looking at the
frequency plot you can see if there are any interfering signals close to those frequencies.
Frequency Decibel option

This is the same as Frequency-Linear except the vertical axis is plotted on a logarithmic
scale. Each 20 decibels is a factor of 10 in signal amplitude.
Raw Data option:

This plot shows the data block plotted against time. Time is the horizontal axis and (linear)
amplitude is the vertical axis. Use this plot to look for interference that may be intermittent in
nature.
Note that this window pops up whenever a new AC Solenoid shot is taken. This allows the
user to preview the data before performing the AC Solenoid calculation. At the present time, new
Paratrack 2 shots do not show this form automatically. However this form can be accessed when
running Paratrack 2 from the Windows Signal Analysis menu selection. Choose the Mode and
click the Capture Data button to perform a signal analysis.

Shot Data Summary Table
The Shot Data Summary Table summarizes all shots taken in a job. It is accessible via the
View Shot Data Summary Table menu selection. The following information in stored in the
table:
MD: Measured Distance

Joint: Rod number. Will also show any additional distance beyond the rod.
Shot #: Each shot is assigned a unique number
Type: What type of shot this is. P2 = Paratrack 2, P1 = Paratrack 1, AC = AC Solenoid,
ST = Steering Tool, Avg = Average of other shots.
Final Shot: Yes/No. Shots marked yes are used to build the survey. Toggle this value by
double clicking on the Yes or No text. There can only be one shot at a given measured
distance that is set as Final.
Incl: Tool inclination in degrees.
Tool Az: Azimuth reported by tool.
Correction: The amount (if any) of user input azimuth correction. This is added to the
Tool Azimuth to produce the Final Azimuth.
Final Az.: Sum of Tool Azimuth and Correction. Note that right clicking over the box and
entering a new value can edit both Correction and Final Azimuth here. Multiple shots can
be changed at the same time by clicking and dragging across the shot rows and then right
clicking.
Meas Away: The calculated Away coordinate for each shot. Note that Paratrack 1 and 2
shots do not compute an independent away distance. Instead, they get the away distance
from the survey after the survey is swung so that the Elevation and Right coordinates
match the model field. AC Solenoid shots do compute independent away, elevation, and
right coordinates.
Meas Elev: Calculated Elevation coordinate.
Meas Right: Calculated Right coordinate.

Shot Data Summary Table
Calc Az: This is the calculated tool azimuth based on Paratrack 1, Paratrack 2, or AC
Solenoid data only. For Paratrack 1 and 2, this value is only computed if both the Use Bz
or Use Hz check boxes were set and the Calc Az check box was set.
Borehole: This shows which Plot Series the shot is assigned to. The user can change
the plot series for a shot or series of shots by right clicking over this text and selecting
another plot series. To change multiple shots at once, left click and drag over the chosen
shots and then right click to choose the new Plot Series. Note that more than one Plot
Series must first be defined using Edit Plot Series before the Borehole can be changed.
Date/Time: The Time and Date stamp for the shot. This stamp cannot be changed by the
user.
Extract ST Button:
This button provides a way to create a Steering Tool shot consisting of Inclination and
Azimuth readings from another shot. For Example if a Paratrack 2 shot does not converge and is
marked bad, you can still use the heading information from it in your survey. Click on Display
Options and Display Bad Shots; select the bad shot you want to extract from, and click Extract ST.
A new ST Shot is added to the table, which can be used as a Final Shot.
Display Options
Provides controls to customize the display in this window. Columns can be turned on and
off and Bad Shots can be shown.
Create Average
Select a range of shots at the same Measured Depth and click this button. A new AVG
(average) shot is created, consisting of the average of the selected shots, and is added to the
table. All the values, including Az, Incl, and Measured Coordinates of the selected shots are
averaged together and the result is stored in a new shot that can be used as Final.

Survey Summary Table
The Survey Summary Table is accessible via the View Survey Data Summary Table.
All survey shots that have been designated as Final will appear in the survey table. The survey
shown is the current active survey as set in the Edit Surveys menu selection. The title bar of
this window shows the name of the active survey. The following information is included in the
Survey Summary:
MD: Measured Distance
Joint: Rod number (plus any additional distance) for this shot
Incl: Inclination
Az: Final azimuth for that shot (measured azimuth plus any correction)
Away, Elev, Right: Coordinates calculated based on the survey distances and
angles (Md, Incl, Az).
Dls: Dog Leg Severity. The total angle change in degrees per standard distance
unit. Measured in degrees per 100 feet or degrees per 30 meters. Dog leg
severity is a measure of the total bend in the hole over the standard distance unit
and includes both inclination and azimuth angles.
Baseline Az. Box: Displays current settings for this parameter. After changing
the Baseline Az. click Refresh to update the table.
Refresh button: This button updates the survey table from the master database.
It is not normally used as the program automatically updates this table whenever
needed.
Method: Choose the method that will be used to calculate the survey. The
colored box indicates the color that will be used to plot the survey. The Refresh
button is used to recalculate the survey after choosing a calculation method.
Surveys
Surveys are a series of Measured Distance, Inclination, and Azimuth readings that are
used to estimate the current steering tool position. In RivCross there must always be at least one
survey defined. More than one survey can be defined, but only one is considered the Active

Survey Summary Table
Survey for taking new Paratrack or AC Solenoid shots. Multiple surveys are useful for keeping
track of sidetracks.
Surveys are built up from any combination of Steering Tool, Paratrack, or AC Solenoid
shots (only MD, Incl. and Az are used from any of these shots in the survey). The shots marked as
Final Shots are the ones included in the survey. There can only be one Final Shot at any
particular measured distance for a given Active Survey. See the Shot Data Summary Table
chapter for an explanation of how to select Final Shots.
Typically the survey is built up from Paratrack or AC Solenoid shots on the entry side of a
crossing job, and then once drilling is under a river or other inaccessible location the survey comes
from steering tool shots only. In all cases, the survey is always taken from the steering tool
inclination and azimuth readings (with possible user input corrections), not from any guidance
methods.
The active survey must be maintained as accurately as possible at all times as the survey
tool is used as a first coordinate estimate for all the guidance service algorithms. If the survey
coordinates are vastly different from the actual tool position, then the Paratrack or AC Solenoid
calculation algorithms may not be able to converge on a solution.

View/Edit Shots Form
The View/Edit shots window is accessible from the View Shot Data menu. This window
shows detailed information about each shot. All shots can be viewed with this window. The slider
bar at the bottom is used to select the shot. Click on the arrows to advance one shot.
Certain fields within the shot can be edited by clicking the Edit button. Fields that can be
edited are highlighted. Click on one or more of these fields and type in a new value. When done
click on the Save button to keep any changes, or Cancel to make no changes.
Note that each shot type has a slightly different display that is specific to that shot type.
Shown here is a Paratrack 2 shot.

Plan View
The Plan View form is accessible via the View Plan View menu selection. This window
shows a plan or overhead view of wires, solenoid locations, shot coordinates, and survey paths. It
is normally shown as a square grid (with the Square Grid box checked). This keeps the scales the
same for both horizontal and vertical plot axes. There are various things the user can change by
using the mouse:
To Zoom in on an area: Click the left mouse button at the upper left corner of the
area you wish to zoom in to. Without releasing the left mouse button, drag the
mouse down and to the right. When the mouse is at the lower right extreme of the
area of interest, release the left mouse button and the graph will zoom in to that
area. Note: This operation must always be from upper left to lower right!
To Zoom out: Left click anywhere on a free area of the graph (but not on a shot
or survey point) and drag up and to the left. When you let go of the left mouse
button the graph will zoom out. Note: This operation must always be from lower
right to upper left!
Right Click on any plotted object: A short summary of that object will appear.
Clicking on any free area of the graph will hide the summary. For shots, a Mark
Bad option will appear. Left click on Mark Bad to mark that shot bad. Bad shots
are never shown in the graphs.
Check Boxes: The Cursor option brings up line cursors that follow the mouse.
Use these to visually read off coordinates from the axes. The Survey option will
display the currently active survey along with shot data. The default for this option
is checked (on). The Show All Shots option will show all the good shots at each
measured distance. When unchecked only the shots marked as Final are
shown.

Plan View
Line Options: Clicking on this button

allows you to choose the type of line
created by clicking and dragging to assist
the driller in checking their progress or
projecting their position. Choose from
Straight Line, Freehand Arc, or
Constrained Arc. The Freehand Arc allows you to specify the Radius of that arc,
but not the initial direction. The Constrained Arc option allows the user to define
the Radius and initial direction of the arc. It is also possible to Invert the direction
of the arc drawn. After choosing which type of line to draw, and specifying any
parameters about that arc, it is possible to left click from a point and see the
specific position of the mouse cursor as it is moved around the grid.
Away and Right Coordinate Boxes: Click on a specific shot or point to show the
Away and Right coordinates. When drawing a line or an arc these boxes change
to show a distance and an angle. These also show Distance from the start point
and Angle relative to the baseline azimuth when drawing a line.
Arc Length Box: Shows the length in feet or meters of the arc drawn by the user.
This box is live updating while moving the cursor and holds the final position.
Init Dir Box: Shows the initial direction of the arc (curve) drawn by the user. This
box is live updating while moving the cursor and holds the final position.
Final Dir Box: Shows the final direction of the arc (curve) drawn by the user.
Change Scale Buttons: Use these to manually set the scale of each axis.
Edit Baseline Az. Button: This is a shortcut button that brings you to the
Program Settings menu where you can choose the tab that lets you change the
Baseline Azimuth. Often the Baseline Azimuth is changed by looking at the Plan
View and adjusting the Baseline Azimuth until the survey line matches the shot
data.
Reset Button: Resets the plot to the original scale.

Vertical Section View
The Vertical Section View is accessible from the View Section View menu selection.
This graph shows a section or side view of wires, solenoid locations, shot coordinates, and survey
paths. All coordinates are projected onto a vertical plane that runs along the Baseline Azimuth
direction. It is normally shown as a square grid (with the Square Grid box checked). This keeps
the scales the same for both horizontal and vertical plot axes. There are various things the user
can change by using the mouse:
To Zoom in on an area: Click the left mouse button at the upper left corner of the
area you wish to zoom in to. Without releasing the left mouse button, drag the
mouse down and to the right. When the mouse is at the lower right extreme of the
area of interest, release the left mouse button and the graph will zoom in to that
area. Note: This operation must always be from upper left to lower right!
To Zoom out: Left click anywhere on a free area of the graph (but not on a shot
or survey point) and drag up and to the left. When you let go of the left mouse
button the graph will zoom out. Note: This operation must always be from lower
right to upper left!
Right Click on any plotted object: A short summary of that object will appear.
Clicking on any free area of the graph will hide the summary. For shots, a Mark
Bad option will appear. Left click on Mark Bad to mark that shot bad. Bad shots
are never shown in the graphs.
Check Boxes: The Cursor option brings up line cursors that follow the mouse.
Use these to visually read off coordinates from the axes. The Survey option will
display the currently active survey along with shot data. The default for this option
is checked (on). The Show All Shots option will show all the good shots at each

Vertical Section View
measured distance. When unchecked only the shots marked as Final are
shown.
Line Options: Clicking on this button allows you to choose the type of line
created by clicking and dragging to assist the driller in checking their progress or
projecting their position.
Choose from Straight
Line, Freehand Arc, or
Constrained Arc. The
Freehand Arc allows you
to specify the Radius of
that arc, but not the initial
inclination. The Constrained Arc option allows the user to define the Radius and
initial inclination of the arc. It is also possible to Invert the direction of the arc
drawn. After choosing which type of line to draw, and specifying any parameters
about that arc, it is possible to left click from a point and see the specific position of
the mouse cursor as it is moved around the grid.
Elevation and Away Coordinate Boxes: Click on a specific shot or point to see
the relative Elevation and Away coordinates of that point. When drawing a line or
an arc, these boxes change to show the distance from the start point and the
relative angle to the wire.
Arc Length Box: Shows the length in feet or meters of the arc drawn by the user.
Init Dir Box: Shows the initial inclination of the arc (curve) drawn by the user.
Final Dir Box: Shows the final inclination of the arc (curve) drawn by the user.
Change Scale Buttons: Use these to manually set the scale of each axis.
Edit Baseline Az. Button: This is a shortcut button that brings you to the
Program Settings menu where you can choose the tab that lets you change the
Baseline Azimuth. Often the Baseline Azimuth is changed by looking at the Plan
View and Adjusting the Baseline Azimuth until the survey line matches the shot
data.
Reset Button: Resets the plot to the original scale.

End View Plot
The End View plot is accessible from the View End View menu selection. This plot
shows a view as if looking down the axis of the steering tool. Tool high side is up, tool right side to
the right. The steering tool is always at the center of the graph and the closest point to the wire (for
Paratrack 1 or 2 systems) is plotted. The graph is most useful for parallel jobs where a new
borehole is to be drilled parallel to an existing borehole and the guide wire is in the existing
borehole. There are various parameters that can be changed by the user:
Radius Combo box: Sets the radius of the polar plot. Use this to zoom in or out
on the plot.
Show Shot Range Check box: When checked, a range of shots will be shown.
Shots are shown in grey, except the shot that is currently selected in the Shot #
box. Enter in the first and last shots to be shown in the Shots to display frame.
MD, Away, Elev, Right: Shows the parameters of the shot chosen in the Shot #
box.
Distance to Wire: Shows the distance to wire of the shot chosen in the Shot #
box. Useful when drilling parallel bores.
Apparent Angle from High Side to Wire: Determined by the shot chosen in the
Shot # box. Useful when drilling parallel bores.
Show Final Shots: When checked, only shots marked as final are shown.
Otherwise all shots not marked bad are shown.
Show X-Y Sensors: When checked will show the orientation of the X and Y
magnetic sensors for the current shot.

BTotal/Dip Plot
The BTotal/Dip Plot is accessible from the View BTotal/Dip menu selection. This series
of three plots shows the BTotal, Tool Azimuth and Dip vs. Measured Distance. Use these plots to
look for magnetic interference. When the Show All Good Shots is unchecked only shots marked
Final are shown on these plots. Right clicking on a data point will bring up more information
about that point.

Export Data Form
The Export Data option is available through the Edit Survey Form, accessible from the File
Export Survey menu selection. From this form, click on the Export button. The following form
will open:
Choose the field delimiter character (normally a

comma) and then click on Export. Enter a filename or use
the default (survey name) and a survey file will be
generated. Note that the Currently Active survey is the one
that is exported. To export another survey, first make that
survey active in the Edit Surveys menu selection.

Export Data Form
Export Shot Data
The Export Shot Data option is available through the Export Data Form, accessible from
the File Shot Data Export menu selection.
All Plot Series may be exported, or the user may select specific ones using the radio
buttons on the left side of the window. All Shots are selected by default, or a range of shots (based
on MD) may be exported. Check Only Final Shots to export just the shots used in the survey and
Include Bad Shots to export bad shots as well. Include All P1 data should be checked if the user
wants to export the positive, negative, and calculated magnetic data, otherwise only the calculated
data will be exported.

Creating a New Survey When
Sidetracking
When drilling a sidetrack a new survey should be created so that the old borehole can be
saved in RivCross. Use the Edit Survey Wizard menu selection to do this. The Wizard will walk
you through the process of creating a new survey and saving the old survey. The Survey Wizard
will walk you through the following steps:
Enter the Measured Distance of the start of the

sidetrack here. Click Next to go to Step 2.
Select an existing survey to use as a base survey

for the new survey. The end of the base survey is
used as a tie-in point for the new survey. Normally
the base survey will be the survey that is currently
active and the choice will default to that survey.
Click Next to go to Step 3.

Sidetracking
Enter a name and a plotting color for the new

survey. Click Next to continue to Step 4.
Enter a name and choose a plotting color that will

be used to hold shots on the original borehole
beyond the sidetrack point. This name and color
will be used to define a new plot series that will
hold these old shots. By putting the old shots in
the old borehole on their own plot series, that
information can be easily shown or hidden on
Plan View or Section View plots or in the Shot
Data Summary Table.
Click Finish to end the Wizard.

Sidetracking
At this time the Wizard has helped the user complete the following:
Created a new survey to hold new shots in the new sidetrack. It makes this new survey
active automatically.
Moved shots from the old borehole beyond the sidetrack point to a new plot series so that
data can be easily shown or hidden in RivCross.
At this point any new Steering Tool or tracking shots are added to the newly created survey.

Edit Surveys
The Edit Surveys form is accessible from the Edit Surveys menu selection. This form
allows the user access to all the surveys defined for the job. The Edit button brings up the Create
Survey window, which allows changing the color of a survey, the survey name, etc Clicking the
Edit button brings up the Create Survey form:
The box (Select Survey) allows the user to

specify which survey the new one will tie in to,
i.e. which survey the new one is branching off
of. Last MD to use specifies the branch
point.

Pressure Readings and Data Logging
RivCross supports pressure measurements for the Vector Magnetics Paratrack Steering
Tool when outfitted with the optional pressure module. Pressure readings are shown on all tool
data input windows (Steering Tool, Paratrack, and AC Solenoid). Provision is also made for
logging pressure data to a separate database file. Plots of both real time and logged pressure data
are included.
Logging Pressure Data

When pressure data logging is enabled, all pressure data is stored to a separate database
file. This database file is compatible with Microsoft Access. To enable pressure logging, go the
File Program Settings menu selection and then click on the Pressure tab.
The database filename for pressure is set in the top frame. Normally this can be left to the
default name. Pressure averaging can be set to None, 2, 4, or 7 seconds. When averaging is
turned on a moving average filter is applied to the pressure sensor readings before data is
displayed or stored. Pressure units can be set to either PSI or Bar with the controls in the Units
frame.
Pressure Sampling Thresholds

These parameters determine how often pressure data is stored to the database. Pressure
data is stored whenever it changes by more than the set threshold. The minimum sampling time
parameter sets the maximum time between pressure samples even if the readings have not
changed. Typically this is set to one minute. This ensures that at least one sample of each
pressure channel is stored every minute even if the reading has not changed in that time. The
threshold values are set in the Pipe Delta Threshold and Annulus Delta Threshold boxes.
Whenever a pressure channel reading changes by more than this amount since the last stored

reading then a new sample is taken. Set these to a value that is high enough to avoid storing
meaningless small fluctuations, but small enough so as not to miss an important pressure event.
Pressure Logging On Checkbox

Pressure logging is disabled until this box is checked.
Output Pressure to Drillers Display in the Azimuth Box
When checked, annulus pressure data is sent to the drillers display and will appear in the
Azimuth display instead of the normal tool azimuth. This option is provided for backwards
compatibility with older drillers displays that do not have a separate pressure readout.
Set Zero Correction Button
This button allows the user to compensate for small offsets in the pressure sensors. When
clicked, the following window appears:
The current pressure values from the steering tool appear in the boxes at the upper left.
To reset the zero point, either manually type in numbers in one or both Zero Correction boxes, or
click on either of the Use Current Sensor Reading buttons to use the current pressure reading.
The corrected readings appear in boxes at the upper right of this window. Once the zero offsets
are set, they will be saved with the job information and will be subtracted from the tool pressure
data before that data is displayed.

Pressure Alarms
Alarms can be set to notify the user if either pressure reading is out of bounds. There are
independent high and low limits for each
channel that can be enabled
independently. If a pressure is out of range
(either too high or too low) then an alarm
will go off and the following small window
will appear.
The computer bell will also ring and this red warning form will continue to appear as long as the
pressure alarm is triggered.
Real Time Pressure Plotting
The Real Time Pressures plot is accessible from the Windows Real Time Pressure
Menu Selection. This plot shows the last several minutes of pressure data. The chart can be

zoomed in or out on using the standard mouse zoom techniques. See the Plan or Section view
chapters for more information on mouse zoom techniques.
Pressure Plotting From Database
The Pressure vs. Time plot is accessible from the Windows Pressure menu selection.
Pressure data that has been logged to the pressure database file can be plotted from within
RivCross.
Select Which Pressure Channels to Plot

Either or both channels can be selected to plot. The user may also plot the difference
between the two channels by checking the Delta Pressure checkbox. Select the Date and Time
Range in the Start and End combo boxes or use the Select buttons to use a calendar for quick
date selection. The Update Plot button will read pressure data from the database according to the
selected date and time range.
Use the Select Pressure File button to quickly go to the Program Settings Pressure
tab. Normally the pressure file will remain the same throughout the job and this button will not
need to be used.
The Export Button is used to write the pressure data that appears on the plot to a
comma-delimited text file suitable for importing into a spreadsheet.

Program Options
The Program Options frame is accessible from the File Program Settings menu
selection. This frame has multiple tabs allowing the user to set various parameters.
Entry Point
This is the first line of the survey and is
the point at which the pipe enters the
ground. The expected exit point may
also be entered here and it will be
plotted on the graphical views.
Distance units are set on the Units tab.
Com (Serial) Ports

Select the COM (RS232 Serial) port for
both the Steering Tool and the
Hardware Key. Note that they can
both be set to the same COM port if
the Key is connected to the Interface
box.
Future versions of RivCross will
include a USB option for both the
Steering Tool and Hardware Key.

Program Options
Baseline Azimuth
Enter the Baseline Azimuth and
Inclination Bias here. Inclination Bias
is an overall value that is subtracted
from all inclinations before performing
a survey calculation. This can be used
to correct for known steering tool
biases in situations where the
surveying technique leads to a build up
of errors. The survey must always be
kept reasonably close to the correct
steering tool location when using
Paratrack or the AC Solenoid so their
algorithms will converge on a
solution.
Averaging
Select the degree of data averaging
here. Magnetic Sensor Averaging
applies to the DC magnetometer
outputs from the steering tool. Gravity
Sensor Averaging applies moving
average filters to each gravity sensor
output. Longer gravity sensor
averaging times can give more
accurate answers in high vibration
situations. It is generally
recommended to operate with the
default settings of 2 seconds on the
magnetic sensors and none on the
gravity sensors. The # of AC Samples
to fit (Paratrack 2 only) selects the
length of AC data to collect before computing a sine fit. Larger numbers = more averaging. The
typical value is 100.

Program Options
Misc.
Set the Units that you will be working
in. When checked, the Mark New
Shots Final box will mark all new
ranging or steering tool shots final for
that measured distance. Any shot at
that measured distance on the current
survey that was previously the final
shot has its final shot flag cleared.
Pressure
See the Pressure chapter for
information on these settings.

Program Options
Tool Type
Select the type of steering tool being
used. APS tools that have a Tensor
compatible mode can run under the
Tensor setting.
When using a Tensor probe, a Tensor

Surface Interface and Drillers Display
must also be used. ONLY THE
PARATRACK1 GUIDANCE METHOD
WILL BE AVAILABLE.

Wires; Setup and Examples
Both Paratrack 1 and 2 use wires on or in the ground as their magnetic signal source.
RivCross can have any number of wire layouts defined within the program. Only one wire layout
can be active at a time, however, and all new Paratrack shots use the currently active wire layout
for its calculations. The wires are managed via the Edit Wires menu selection.
New: This button creates a new wire object within RivCross. Each separate wire loop or grounded
segment used for Paratrack must have its own wire object. Wire objects store vertex coordinates
as well as plot settings for that wire.
Edit: Allows the user to edit an existing wire object. See Wire Edit Window description below for
details.
Copy: Makes a copy of an existing wire object and adds it to the list of wires. The new name is
Copy of the wire that was copied. First click on a wire name in the list of wires to highlight that
wire, and then click on the copy button.
Delete: Removes the selected wire from the list. Note that only wires that have never been used
to take a guidance shot can be deleted. Wires that have ever been active when a new Paratrack
shot was taken, even if that shot is marked bad, cannot be deleted.
Import: Read a text file containing wire vertex coordinates and create a new wire object
containing that vertex data. See Wire Import Data Format for details on the expected format of the
text file.
Export: Write a text file containing wire vertex coordinates. See Wire Export Data Format for
details on the format of this file.
Make Active: This makes the currently highlighted wire object the active wire. Only one wire may
be active at a time. New Paratrack shots use the active wire for all calculations. The current active
wire name is shown in the Active Wire text box at the bottom of this window.

Clicking the Edit button

brings you to the Edit Wires
form. This form allows the
user to edit or enter wire
vertex coordinates, define
the name of the wire object,
and select where this wire
will be shown.
Vertex Coordinate Grid

Wire vertex coordinates in the order Away, Elevation, Right can be entered in the above
form. Left click on a blank box in the * row to enter a new value. Left click on an existing entry to
edit that number. See Defining Wire Vertex Coordinates for details on how to enter the wire data.

Defining Wire Vertex Coordinates

The following is an example of how to define wire vertices for a closed loop Paratrack 2
application.

Paratrack 2 Single Wire

Paratrack 1 Loop

The Wire Current/Distance
Relationship
Wire Ranges and Guidelines

As discussed previously, the signal strength read by the sensor probe is directly
proportional to the current on the wire, and inversely proportional to the distance between the wire
and the sensors. For Paratrack 2, the amount of AC current on the guide wire is adjustable with a
resistor package when using the fixed output Revision A and B supplies, or with the turn of a knob
on the variable output Revision C supply. This adjustability introduces the question of how much
current is needed. The ideal amount of current is as much as possible without saturating the AC
magnetic sensors, for a high signal to noise ratio. The following chart illustrates the approximate
current/distance-from-the-closest-wire relationship. This chart can be used as a rough guideline in
determining how much current to apply to the wire.
As an example, at 3 meters distance the sensors will saturate at approximately 4 amps.

Given the rule of providing as much current as possible without saturation, the user would set the
Guide Power Supply to provide just under 4 amps of current. The above chart is merely a rough
guideline, and should not be used in place of actual readings in the field. In practice, the user
should always manually set current just below the saturation point. At distances where the probe is
out of range of saturation; (generally 6 meters or more), the current should be set to its maximum.
Low Gain Mode

If the sensor probe is very close to the wire, and wire current cannot be further reduced,
there is an option of using a Low Gain mode that reduces the AC sensors sensitivity by a factor of
400. However, when the AC sensors are saturating, the first step should always be to reduce wire
current. Low gain should only be used when the wire current cannot be set any lower. Gain
switching is performed via a toggle button on the Paratrack 2 or AC Solenoid input forms.

Guide Wire and Survey Probe Power
Supplies
The Vector Magnetics Paratrack guidance package offers two different methods of
powering the Paratrack Guide Wire. Paratrack 1 uses DC current delivered by an off the shelf DC
power supply (generally a welder). This system is compatible with both Vector Magnetics own
surveying tools, as well as the Tensor surveying tool. Paratrack 2 is an AC current based guidance
system that requires the Vector Magnetics Guide Power Supply. When using the Vector Magnetics
survey probe a Paratrack 2 Interface is also required.
Guide Power Supply

The Vector Magnetics Guide Power Supply is required to provide AC current to the guide
wire when using Paratrack 2. The Guide Wire is connected to the outputs on the front of the Power
Supply. Polarity does not matter. The amount of signal detected by the survey probe is
proportional to the current provided by the Guide Power Supply, and inversely proportional to the
distance between the probe and the wire.
There are currently 2 revisions of Guide Supplies in circulation. Revisions A and B are
fixed output of either 6 amps peak to peak, 24 volts OR 3 amps p-p, 48 volts. Maximum current is
indicated on the front panel. Revision C is a variable current power supply of 7 amps maximum
peak to peak, and 48 volts. Revisions A or B may need a resistor package placed between the
outputs and the wire to provide the minimum necessary resistance or to reduce wire current when
the probe is in close proximity to the wire. (A power-rheostat adjustable resistor package is
available from Vector Magnetics). The 3-amp/48 volt supply is available to provide more voltage
and less current when used with a very high resistance wire or in single wire applications. Revision
C has been introduced to provide current adjustability without the use of a resistor package. It is
infinitely variable between 0 and 7 amps peak to peak.
Paratrack 2 Variable Output Guide Wire Supply Rheostat Controlled Resistor Pack (Fixed Supply Only)

Supplies
Fault Light
The Guide Supply incorporates an over-current protection switch that illuminates the Fault
LED when tripped. If this switch trips, it will be necessary to add more resistance between the
Supply and the wire (with a Fixed Output Supply), or to turn down the current on a Variable Output
Supply.
Survey Probe Interface

The Paratrack 2 Interface is required to provide power to the Vector Magnetics sensor
probe. This supply provides a default output of 46 volts DC without the tool connected. Normally
the tool will operate at ~62mA. The Green LED labeled Tool will illuminate when the unit is
providing the correct voltage and is getting data from the tool. Under most circumstances this fixed
voltage does not need to be adjusted; however it can be increased up to 54 volts DC with a
screwdriver through the access hole on the back panel if line resistance is very high. If the
Interface Voltage is increased to compensate for wireline resistance or a wireline head leak, be
certain to set it back to 46 volts afterwards. With too much voltage applied over low resistance, the
tool may crowbar. The crowbar is an over voltage protection circuit that trips if too much voltage is
applied to the tool. Turn the supply off and adjust it back to 46 volts and restart if the tool
crowbars. When the tool crowbars current will rise dramatically while voltage remains constant.
Paratrack 2 Interface Voltage Adjustment
Connections
Connections to the Interface Supply are made on the right side. There are banana jack
and wing nut connections for the sensor probe (use one or the other), and RS-232 Serial
connections for the computer, Hardware Key, and the Drillers Display. See below for technical
specifications of the Paratrack 2 Interface.
Paratrack 2 Interface Side View

Supplies
Paratrack 2 Guide Wire Power Supply Specifications
Revision A/B
Input: Universal 110/220v 50-60Hz AC
Output: Either 6 amps/24 volts or 3 amps/48 volts (labeled on front of supply)
Revision C
Output: 7 amps(dial adjustable)/48 volts
Paratrack 2 Interface Specifications

Output: 46v nominal; set screw adjustable to 54v for high-resistance wireline
compensation
Automatic gain switching; software controlled.
RS232 output to computer
Selectable 1000mA/100mA meter display
Output is compatible with a wide set of conditions and should not need to have the
voltage adjusted under normal conditions.

Pressure Module and Orienting Sub
Authors: Herb Susmann, Ben Smith, Jed Sheckler May 11, 2004
The Vector Magnetics Paratrack sensor probe is available with an optional Pressure
Sensor setup that can be used to monitor pipe and annular pressure. The Pressure setup consists
of a Pressure module that connects directly to the Paratrack sensor tool, and a Pressure orienting
sub that connects to the pressure module on the up-hole end, and has standard API threads to
connect to the non-mag drill collar.
WARNING! The Pressure Module or the Blind Foot in place when the Pressure Module is not in
use has an internal connection to the electronics board of the Sensor Probe. If it is necessary to
remove the Sensor Probe head to gain access to the internal electronics, the Pressure Module or
blind foot must be removed FIRST, and the circular bayonet lock connector disconnected before
removing the electronics from the head end. Serious damage to the Magnetometers will occur if
this procedure is not followed! WARNING!
Making Up the Pressure Assembly

The photograph below illustrates the components of the Pressure Module. The rubber
centralizer is a replaceable wear item and is held in place by the bulkhead centralizer trap. This
module does not generally require disassembly except for removal of the centralizer trap for
periodic replacement of the centralizer. Torque all connections to 250 ft/lbs.
Pressure Module
The Pressure Module connects to the bottom of the Sensor Probe. The internal
connection is made using a mil-spec circular bayonet lock connector attached to a coiled cord.
Straighten the cord back to its original shape as much as possible; then, without adding or
subtracting twists to the coil, connect the two ends together, making sure to engage the connector
fully. An audible snap indicates it is properly connected. Next, pick a reference point on the
Pressure Module, and put 6 counterclockwise turns into it, making sure that the Sensor Probe side
is stationary. Tuck the additional wires inside the sonde, and press the two ends together until the
threads engage. It should take 9 full clockwise turns to engage the threads fully. Torque this
connection to 250 ft/lbs. It is extremely important to not add extra twists to this coil-cord. If it takes
more than 9 turns to engage the threads fully, it is necessary to back the two units apart,
disconnect the bayonet connector, and start over.

Pressure Module to Sensor Tool Connections

Pressure/Orienting Sub
The Pressure/Orienting sub connects to the Pressure module on the up-hole end and to a
non-magnetic drill collar on the down-hole end. There are two annular pressure ports, one on each
side of the sub. A bolt with a small hole allows pressure from the annulus to reach the sensor
housed in the pressure module sonde. It is important to keep this pathway (indicated by the red
area in the diagram below) filled with a light grease. Pump grease as indicated in the figure below
until the grease expelled from the two pressure ports is clean. It is important that the grease used
is very lightweight to prevent a pressure drop from occurring between the annulus and the sensor.
The Drill Pipe Pressure Port should also be filled with grease. This port cant be filled with using a
gun, but it can be packed full of grease by hand.

Rods Table
The main Rods table is

accessible from the Edit
Rods menu selection. There is
only one rods table for a given
job. Column 1 is a rod index
number that begins at 0.
Column 2 is the length of each
section of drill pipe and column
3 is the total Measured Distance
at the end of each rod.
To add a new rod length to the
table, left click in column 2 in the
bottom line with the *. This will
create a new record. To edit an
existing entry in column 2, left
click on the text and modify it.
Double clicking will select the
entire entry for that row. Only
column 2 can be edited. The
other columns are always
automatically calculated. A rod
table can be imported or
exported from RivCross via the
Import/Export Rods button at the
lower right. When this button is pressed, the following form appears:
Import/Export Options:
Overwrite Existing Rod will replace any existing
rod table with the contents of the imported file.
Append Data to Existing Rods will place the
imported rod table at the end of any currently
present rod table.
File Format:
Rod #, Rod Length, MD: Each line of the file
(imported or exported) will contain three numbers
separated by commas in the same order as the
rod table.
Rod Lengths Only: Each line of the file (imported
or exported) will only contain the rod lengths. The other columns are automatically calculated.
When the Export Rods button is pressed, a form will appear requesting a filename. The file is then
written.

Rods Table
Importing Rods
Clicking the Import button on the above form will bring up the following form after the user
selects the file to be imported:
Choose the field character delimiter at right

and then click OK to translate the file
contents into rod table entries.

Plot Series
Plot Series keep track of shot data in groups. One Plot Series may hold all the shots for
the main borehole and another Plot Series may hold all the shots for a sidetrack. By organizing
shots in Plot Series, groups of data can be handled together without having to individually edit each
shot. Plot Series also keep track of plotting colors on the Plan View and Section View graphs as
well as if that series is to be plotted at all in the graphs. Below is the main Plot Series editing form.
New: This button creates a new Plot Series,

which can then be altered.
Edit: Edits an existing Plot Series.
Delete: Removes a Plots Series from the list.
If any shots are currently assigned to this plot
series then it cannot be deleted.
Copy: Copies an existing plot series and adds
the copy to the list. The copy can then be
edited.
Make Active: Makes the currently highlighted
plot series the active one. All new shots are
automatically added to the active plot series.
Edit Plot Series
The user can edit the name of this plot series.

Typical names are Main Borehole, Sidetrack 1,
etc
Plot In: This Plot Series can be optionally
shown in each of the three plots listed.
Color: Choose the plotting color
Show In: Optionally show shots belonging to
this plot series in the main Shot Summary
table. Use this to turn off a dead sidetrack to
prevent cluttering up the Shot table.
This series has been used for a shot: This
message appears once this Plot Series has
had a shot assigned to it. Once this is true, this
plot series cannot be deleted.
Plot Series and Surveys

Plot Series are loosely connected with surveys. When a sidetrack is created, a new
survey should be created using the Survey Wizard. One step of the Survey Wizard is to assign all
shots on the dead sidetrack to a new plot series so they will show up as a different color on the
coordinate plots. See the Creating a New Survey chapter for more information on the Survey
Wizard.

Tool Face Display, Log, and Job Info
The Tool Face Display is accessed via the Windows High Side Indicator
menu selection. This display can be used to graphically monitor the tool face
orientation while drilling. This form can be left open and will float on top of
other forms.
Log
RivCross includes a provision for keeping a log of events. The Log is accessible via the
Log menu selection.
New: Create a new Log entry.

Edit: Edit an existing Log entry.
Delete: Remove a Log entry. First select the log entry by left clicking on it in the list.
Print: Send the log to the printer. (Not yet implemented)
Export: Export the Log to a text file. File format is date/time, Log entry. The field delimiter is a
comma.

Tool Face Display, Log, and Job Info
Job Info
The Job Info form is accessed via the Edit Job Info menu selection. The Job Number
will appear at the top of the Plan View and Section View plots. Other information is for the users
notes only.

Hardware Key
The Hardware Key must be connected to the computer or Interface in order to run any of
the licensed guidance services (Paratrack 1, 2, or AC Solenoid). The Hardware Key normally
connects to the tool power supply (Interface) and is internally routed to the COM port that the
Interface is using. Alternatively, the Hardware Key can be connected to any other free COM port
on the computer. Use the File Program Settings COM (Serial) Ports tab to set the Hardware
Key COM port in RivCross.
Product Licenses
Each guidance service is individually enabled or disabled in each hardware key. To see
which services are enabled for a particular key, use the View Hardware Key Key Info menu
selection. The following form will appear.
Click on the Read Key button to update the

Products Enabled list for that key. The Expiration
Date, Serial Number, and Minimum Program
Version fields will also be updated.
Expiration Date: This is the date the Key will
expire and cease to function. The key expires at
the end of the day shown United States Eastern
Time (NOT local time). Expired keys can be
updated via e-mail message from Vector
Magnetics. (Serial numbers 54 and higher only,
see below)
Serial Number: Each Key is assigned a unique
serial number.
Minimum Program Version: This parameter
determines the earliest RivCross version that will
function with this key. An earlier version of
RivCross will not function and must be updated to
the latest version. The latest version of RivCross
is always available for download at
www.vectormagnetics.com.
Update Key from e-mail Message: This button opens a form that leads the user through a 3 step
process to update the key expiration date, product enables, and minimum program version fields.
See below for details:

Hardware Key
To update a Hardware Key in the field, follow the three-step procedure outlined in this
window.
Step 1: Offload existing job data to a disk file. Click the Read Key button to start this process.
Depending on the amount of data on the key, this process may take anywhere between a few
seconds and several minutes to complete. This data is used by Vector Magnetics for license
billing, so it must be e-mailed back to Vector Magnetics before update codes will be sent back. Job
data is coded such that all job data must be present in order to receive a new update code.
Step 2: Load the file containing the key update codes into RivCross. Either cut and paste the
update codes into this text box, or use the Browse for File button to locate the file that contains the
update codes. If there is extra text included in this file the program will ignore it. The only
requirement is that all the product update strings be present. Note that the update codes are
coded with the key serial number. A code for one key will not work with another.
Step 3: Update the Key. Click on the Update Key button. This will download the update codes to
the key and perform the actual update. Go back to the previous screen (Main Hardware Key
screen) and click Read Key to verify that the Key was in fact updated.

Appendix
I.I Definitions
Entry Point: The Entry Point is a set of 6 numbers that describe the entry point for the job. The
Entry Point is the point of first penetration by the drill bit. The Entry Point consists of the following:
Measured Distance: The length of pipe in the hole at the Entry Point. Normally
set to zero.
Inclination: The inclination of the pipe at the Entry Point.
Azimuth: Azimuth of the pipe at the Entry Point.
Away, Elev, Right: Coordinates of the Entry Point.
Baseline Azimuth: The Baseline Azimuth is the angle from Magnetic North to the Away axis. This
is the magnetic azimuth the tool would read if laid down on the Away axis in an environment free of
any magnetic interference.
Dip: The angle of declination of the Earths magnetic field. Magnetic dip is 0 at the magnetic
equator and 90 at each of the magnetic poles. Also called magnetic inclination.
Plot Series: In RivCross beta, the graphical display of survey data is controlled and customized
with Plot Series. The user may create as many Plot Series as necessary. For example, one Plot
Series holds all the shots for the main borehole, and another Plot Series can be created to hold all
the shots for a side bore. Each Series is then displayed as a separate color. See The Plot Series
chapter for more information.
Final Shot: The Final Shot designation is used to mark one shot at a particular Measured
Distance as the shot that will be used when calculating the survey. The Final Shot is automatically
applied to the last shot at a given Measured Distance, however this designation can be changed at
a later time in the Shot Data Summary Table.
AHsX: Angle High side to X is the angle between current tool High Side and what the Gx sensor is
reading. This angle changes continuously as the tool rolls, and would be 0 when Gx is pointing up
with High Side.

Appendix
I.II Installing RivCross
Installation of RivCross is contained within an installer package that generally allows for a
simple installation procedure. If an old version of RivCross is installed, it must be removed through
the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs option before installing the current version. The most
current version of RivCross is always available for download at www.vectormagnetics.com.
Download the file, and follow the instructions to install it. The PC it is installed on must be running
Windows XP Pro and must have the Dot Net Framework from Microsoft (a link to download it can
be found on our website). A Hardware Key is also required to take guidance data shots.
Installation issues:
If RivCross Beta fails to install or you get unusual errors when you try to take a shot here
are some things to try:
Open a Windows Explorer window and navigate to C:\Program Files\Vector
Magnetics\RivCross Beta. On the Start Menu open Run Type in regsvr32 and drag the
following files (from C:\Program Files\RivCross Beta) into the Run window one at a time:
acsolcalc_x_x.dll
matlabutils_x_x.dll
mSurveyLib_x_x.dll
p2lib_x_x.dll
(x stands for a single digit, i.e. p2lib_1_2.dll)
Now navigate to C:\VMLib\bin\win32. Find mwcomutil.dll and drag it into the Run
window. Now click OK. Five windows should pop up in sequence notifying you that the files were
registered.
It is important that you drag each file individually into the Run window. If you drag multiple
files only the one that is first alphabetically will be entered. You may also click OK after each file is
dragged in, and then reopen the Run window after it registers that file.

Appendix
I.III Troubleshooting
Shot Does Not Converge

When a shot does not converge, the first step is to check the accuracy of the input
parameters. Some of the most common errors are listed below.
Confirm that your Baseline Az. is accurate.
For Paratrack make sure you entered the correct wire current.
Check your entry point (remember that the entry Az. is an absolute angle, not
relative to the Baseline).
Verify that you have the correct signal source activated (Make Active in the
source edit window) and that it is setup correctly (coordinates, angle, etc.)
Make sure your survey is up to date, that all the correct shots are selected as
Final Shots.
Check your MD and Rod list, double check that the numbers match the pipe.
Invalid Checksum
An Invalid Checksum error while taking or monitoring data with either Paratrack 1 or 2
usually indicates a problem with the data connection between the Interface (Power Supply) Unit
and the computer. Check for connection or wiring problems between these devices. (This may
also occur when RivCross is writing to the key.)
In some cases, usually after a new installation of RivCross, a flashing Invalid Checksum
in the Paratrack 1 or 2 windows may be caused by a COM port conflict. This sometimes occurs
when additional COM ports have been added to the machine, and RivCross is using the wrong
COM driver. Removing all COM ports via Start Control Panel System Hardware
Device Manager and restarting the computer to allow Windows to auto-detect the COM ports
should fix this problem.
Survey Probe Sensors Are Saturating

The survey probes sensors will saturate if the sensors are close to the wire and/or current
from the Guide Wire Supply is too high. See The Wire Current/Distance Relationship chapter for
more information on the relationship between wire current and distance to the sensors.

Appendix
I.IV Paratrack I and II; When to Use the Z Sensor and Calculate Azimuth Check Box
When the tool is parallel to a straight section of wire, the majority of the signal is on the X
and Y magnetic sensors of the steering tool, with very little signal on the axial (Z) sensor. In this
situation the Z sensor is not used for positional calculation. Very low Bz (Hz in Paratrack II) signal
indicates that the steering tool is parallel to the wire. The signal on Bz (or Hz) increases in
proportion to the angle between the steering tool and the wire. Using the signal from B or Hz allows
for an independent calculation of the tool azimuth based on the wire signal. This can be useful as
an alternate way to confirm the tool azimuth without relying on the Earths field. Note that RivCross
defaults to using the steering tool azimuth to calculate the survey, so in order to override the
steering tool azimuth and use the calculated azimuth, the user must manually enter the azimuth
reported by B/Hz. It is recommended to not check use Hz for guidance calculations when nearly
parallel to a straight wire leg unless a tool azimuth based on the wire magnetic field is desired.

Appendix
I.V Internal RivCross Details

RivCross stores job data in a database compatible with Microsoft Access. In addition,
several small text files are used to store other job related information.
Summary of files associated with a job:

Job file: (Filename <jobname>.job) Contains job setup parameters. This is an
internal RivCross file and should not be modified.
Database: (Filename <jobname>.mdb) Stores all shot data and tool data. This file
can be viewed with, but must not be modified by Microsoft Access. Shot
calculated coordinates are stored in the Results table. Tool data readings are
stored in the ToolDataCal table.
Pressure Database: (Filename <jobname>P1.mdb) Stores all pressure data that
has been logged. This file can be viewed with Microsoft Access. The only table
that contains data is the PressureTable.
Internal survey parameter file: <jobname>.sur
Internal chart parameter file: <jobname>_chrt.par

Appendix
Authors: Herb Susmann, Ben Smith, Jed Sheckler May 11, 2004
I.VI Sensor Locations and Orientation

The Paratrack Sensor Probe has sensors located at both ends of the tool chassis. The
gravity sensors are located at the top of the tool, near the connection head, and the
magnetometers are positioned towards the lower end of the tool, approximately 6 inches from the
end. Warning! If your Sensor Probe is equipped with a Pressure Module or a Blind Foot in its
place, the module or foot must be removed and the circular bayonet lock connector disconnected
BEFORE removing the electronics from the Sensor Probe. Serious damage to the Magnetometers
will result if this procedure is not followed! See the Pressure Module and Orienting Sub chapter for
more information on this.

Appendix
Authors: Herb Susmann, Ben Smith, Jed Sheckler April 1, 2004
I.VII ParaTrack2 Survey and Guidance System Specifications
Downhole Survey Probe:

-Shock mounted triaxial accelerometers and magnetometers, temperature sensor and
digitizing circuitry contained in 1.750 in. dia. x 55.3 in. long beryllium copper pressure barrel.
Telemetry and power via wireline.
Temperature Rating: 85C
Pressure Rating: 1200 bar
Survey Accuracy:
Inclination: 0.1
Azimuth: 0.4
Toolface: 0.5
Maximum wireline length: 5000 meters
Interface Unit
Input: 85-265 VAC 50-60 HZ
Output: 48VDC, 50mA
Guidance System:
A single signal wire earthed at each end or with a return wire to close the loop.
Guidance Unit Input: 85-265 VAC 50-60 HZ
Guidance Unit Output: 34 VRMS, 6 Amps p-p max.
Position Accuracy: 2% of separation from signal wire
Drillpipe and Borehole Pressure Module

(requires compatible survey probe)
Borehole gauge, 0-500 psi Full Scale, 1200 psi survival, 2400 psi burst
Drillpipe gauge, 0-2000 psi Full Scale, 6000 psi survival, 10000 psi burst
Non-linearity +/-0.1 %FS
Hysteresis +/-0.015 %FS
Repeatability +/-0.01 %FS

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RivCross Operating Manual

Chapter 14: BTotal/Dip Plot Chapter 27: The Hardware Key

Chapter 15: The Export Data Form Chapter 28: Appendix

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Paratrack I, DC wire guidance system

These tracking systems determine location of the steering tool underground by

Tracking Measured Distance

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Figure 1: Sample Rod Table

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After starting RivCross the following screen will come up.

New Job Wizard

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Tool Data Form

Active Plot Series

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Sensor Tool Orientation

Other Tool Data

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Steering Tool Orientation

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Other Tool Data

Use Bz Check Box

Calculate Az. Check Box

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Reset Button on the Bx Plot

Taking a Paratrack I Shot

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Steering Tool Orientation

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Other Tool Data

Calculate Azimuth Check Box

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Active Plot Series

Reset Button on the Hx Plot

Create New Paratrack II Shot Button

Procedure for Taking a Paratrack II Shot

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Steering Tool Orientation

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Other Tool Data

Play Solenoid Start Tone Button

Active Plot Series

Number of Samples Combo Box

Selects the number of AC samples to collect before

Reset Button on Data Plot

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Taking An AC Solenoid Shot

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Frequency Decibel option

Raw Data option:

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MD: Measured Distance

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Line Options: Clicking on this button

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