Author Archives: Mezintel

Are Your COM Ports Communicating Accurately?

Are your COM ports swapped?

Mezintel Gamma has a debug window which is commonly used for diagnosing serial port communication issues. One of our customers suggested that this feature would be even more useful if it can be accessed before actually loading a gamma job — instead of only from within a job.
Good idea! So we implemented his suggestion…[1]
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3 Ways to Specify Gamma Scale Factor

You can specify a gamma scale factor for each bit run in Mezintel Gamma (version 22.00.061 [1]) using a new built-in tool that helps you derive scale factors.
You can enter a scaling factor if you know it, otherwise, if you are unsure then you can calculate or find it from the Bit Runs window:

  • In the Scale section under the bit run you want, double-click the value box for Gamma Scale Factor
    The Get Scale Factor window opens

You may also click the button to open up Get Scale Factor window.

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3 New Methods of Editing Gamma, ROP & Other Samples

In Mezintel Gamma, samples points logged when the drill bit is ‘off-bottom’ are not shown on the plot. This is useful because it allows you to safely remove points from the plot by manually setting them to be off-bottom. This hides the points rather than delete them. The hidden points can be revealed again by reverting them back to be ‘on-bottom’.
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Formatting the Timestamps in LAS Files

Timestamp Format
Mezintel Gamma allows you to customize the timestamp format in you LAS export. You may need to do this in order to meet a requirement for another software or the LAS file format preferred by a client.

As of version 22.00.038 [1], when exporting an LAS file you can choose how date & time is displayed in the LAS.
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How to Organize WITS Data to Send to EDR Provider

Mezintel Gamma continuously sends out data to depth tracking EDR providers such as Pason and RigSense (NOV).

On a regular basis, about every 5 seconds, WITS data packets are sent out as several lines of plain text (ASCII) that are usually comprised of Toolface, Surveys, and Gamma data.
As of version 22.00.031 [1], you have more control over the structure of the data packet.

An example of a packet of lines of WITS data as seen on the  Captured Data view in Mezintel Gamma
Notice that a packet of WITS data starts with the symbols  && and  ends with the symbol  !!

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Handling Data Gaps in your Gamma Log Plots

Closing Gaps on Log PlotAs you know, sometimes MWD sample data may go missing for an extended interval of time while drilling continues. In such cases, there is a gap in the sample plot for the depth interval where data went missing.

Up until now Mezintel Gamma used to fill-in (or close) the gap with a straight line. However, some users wanted to control whether or not to show such gaps, so we have provided you with a new option to do just that.
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Renew Database to Regain Performance

Slow Performance Due to Accumulation of Jobs (more than 5 jobs)

Depending on your computer’s specs, Mezintel Gamma can start to run slow if you have accumulated about 5 or more jobs in addition to the default job templates. Some processes may even fail to complete when you have too many jobs. For example:

  • Adding a new job may fail to complete
  • Saving tie-in for the Survey Table may return an error
  • Adding a new bit run may fail to complete

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Exporting Well Logs as TIFF Images

Stitching PDF as TIFF
Some geologists require well logs to be produced as one seamless image file, usually as TIFF.
Up until now, Mezintel Gamma exported logs only as PDFs with pages that print seamlessly from log printers. We referred users who need TIFF well logs to 3rd-party software; but this feature is now available from Mezintel Gamma software!
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New Large Indicators & Plot on Depth Tracker

One of our customers wanted larger indicators on the Mezintel Depth Tracker so that MWD operators can see depth status from 15 feet away.
So, we added an alternative view that enlarges the block height, bit depth, ROP, hook load, hole depth, and slips status.
Simply tap on the Samples button to use this enlarged view.

DTU - Enlarged Samples View
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Run Program as Administrator

In order to successfully run a Mezintel program, you must run it as administrator. Mezintel software that is not running as administrator will encounter errors as some point of being used.

If the UAC dialog does not pop up when you try to run a Mezintel program, then it is not set to run as administrator.

User Account Control (UAC) pop-up dialog

When you try to run a Mezintel program as administrator, the User Account Control (UAC) dialog will pop-up by default.[1]


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New website & online support channels from Mezintel

We launched our new website a week ago on October 1st!

While it looks great, it also tells you more about our company and products, and comes with an online support system for our customers. In order to improve our customer service, we introduced the following three channels for delivering support online:

Company Blog


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Renewing Your Mezintel Gamma Software Licence

A Mezintel Gamma licence key allows your computer to interface with other MWD equipment and continuously log data for however much licensed time is on the key.
If you are running Mezintel Gamma with a dongle (i.e. licence key), the software will notify you 3 days before your licensed time is used up.

Key expiration notice

Mezintel Gamma warns you by flashing a notification in the top section of the window in 5 – 10 seconds intervals.


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Finally, an industry-designed application for geotechnical materials testing labs!

After searching globally for a software solution, a client approached Mezintel to develop a solution for its concrete and soils testing lab, which at the time was struggling to manage enormous amounts of paperwork. After 5 years of extensive development, the product was launched in 2010, initially with the concrete module, and two years later, with a soils module. Continue reading

Connected with MWD Companies Mezintel’s MWD solutions grow out of an in-depth understanding of measurement-while-drilling needs.

Mezintel is a specialized software development firm that provides solutions to track and manage industrial measurements. Currently we offer two core applications – Mezintel Gamma (used by drilling companies for MWD, measurement while drilling) and Mezintel BreakTest (used by Construction Materials Testing Labs for managing Concrete and Soils testing.)

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