Geomagnetic Field Modeling for Wellbore Positioning
We reduce magnetic-field uncertainty for directional drilling. IFR, regional anomaly models, and real-time disturbance corrections—grounded in NOAA/CIRES research methods and published in ISCWSA proceedings.
Tell us about your project →What We Provide
In-Field Referencing (IFR)
We combine satellite data with regional airborne, marine, and ground measurements to model crustal anomalies at your drill site. Deliverables include local declination, inclination, and total field estimates (D/I/F) with documented uncertainty and operational assumptions. We scope each project to your basin, timeframe, and available survey data.
Real-Time Disturbance Corrections
We fuse a global external-field model with near-real-time satellite and observatory data to estimate geomagnetic disturbance over your region. Deliverables include correction time series, event flags, and integration guidance for MWD workflows. This is the same approach described in our ISCWSA publications on magnetospheric disturbance modeling.
Technical Consulting & Validation
Model intercomparisons, performance assessment against observatory data, API development, and operational monitoring. We work with your survey team to integrate geomagnetic products into existing workflows—whether that means delivering corrections via API, flat file, or custom pipeline.
Tell us your basin or region, the operational timeframe, and what you need (D/I/F, corrections, uncertainty estimates). We'll propose an approach and deliverables, typically within one week.
Get in touch →About
I'm Manoj Nair, a geomagnetic field modeler at CIRES (University of Colorado Boulder) and NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. I've spent over two decades developing high-resolution geomagnetic reference models used in directional drilling—including NOAA's High Definition Geomagnetic Model (HDGM).
My work spans satellite magnetic measurements, ionospheric current systems, machine-learning approaches to Dst forecasting, and real-time magnetospheric disturbance modeling.
Flatirons Geomagnetic Services LLC is an independent consultancy based in Boulder, Colorado.
Selected Publications
Representative work underlying our consulting methods. Presented at ISCWSA, OTC, and in peer-reviewed journals.
Chulliat, A., Nair, M., Fillion, M. and Califf, S., Enhanced Models and Implementations for Minimizing Uncertainty in External Magnetic Fields. ISCWSA 60th General Meeting, New Orleans, LA. 2024. [PDF]
Current approach to external-field uncertainty reduction for drilling operations.Califf, S., M. Nair, D. Weimer, N. Zachman, and B. Poedjono, Assessment of the Weimer Geomagnetic Perturbation Model for High-Latitude Positioning and Navigation. Space Weather, 22(10), e2024SW004005. 2024. doi:10.1029/2024SW004005
Validates disturbance correction models used in our high-latitude IFR work.Nair, M., M. Kruglyakov and A. Kuvshinov, On the Use of Adjacent Land-Based Magnetic Field Data to Correct for Geomagnetic Disturbances During Offshore Directional Drilling. ISCWSA 57th General Meeting, Stavanger, Norway. 2023. [PDF]
Nair, M., A. Chulliat, A. Woods, P. Alken, B. Meyer, B. Poedjono, N. Zachman, and J. Hernandez, Next Generation High-Definition Geomagnetic Model for Wellbore Positioning, Incorporating New Crustal Magnetic Data. Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX. 2021. doi:10.4043/31044-MS
Describes the HDGM methodology used in our IFR products.Nair, M., A. Woods, A. Chulliat, P. Alken and N. Boneh, A Real-Time Magnetic Disturbance Model to Improve Drilling Accuracy in Low and Mid Latitudes of the Earth. ISCWSA 42nd Meeting, Houston, TX. 2015. [PDF]
Maus, S., M. C. Nair, B. Poedjono, S. Okewunmi, J. D. Fairhead, U. Barckhausen, P. R. Milligan, J. Matzka, High Definition Geomagnetic Models: A New Perspective for Improved Wellbore Positioning. IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, San Diego, CA. 2012. [SPE-151436-MS]
Original HDGM paper establishing the high-resolution crustal field approach.