Measurement While Drilling engineer. This tech installs and monitors telemetry equipment on an oil drilling rig that indicates where the drill stem is and reports that information to the driller.

Just started for a directional drilling company yesterday. My job title is MWD Field Engineer. Absolutely no experience what so ever. Starting out is 72K a year.

"MWD" stands for measurement while drilling. A "MWD Hand" operates a expensive tool which is used to measure inclination and azimuth on a oil drilling rig. each MWD tool is different and each have their own application.

MWD is measurement while drilling. It records values like direction, inclination, toolface etc, which all are values needed to achieve a successful drilling.

LWD is logging while drilling. It records logs (which generally are run by wireline, after drilling). Most common being gamma and resistivity logs. It gives us real time log data which helps to geosteer.

In BHA, the arrangement is like... [ BIT - RSS* - MWD* - LWD* ] (* - optional)

Ron Baker has written:

'A Primer of Oilwell Drilling Workbook'

'Gas and Liquid Measurement/Catalog No 8.20110'

'A primer of offshore operations' -- subject(s): Drilling platforms, Offshore oil well drilling, Petroleum engineering

'Serenity'