- August 26, 2025
PENNSAUKEN, N.J., Aug. 26, 2025 – Meeting the increasing demand for real-time data and automation in oil and gas operations, NewTek Sensor Solutions has engineered a line of Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) specifically for reliable position feedback in downhole environments. These sensors provide accurate monitoring and control of tools used during exploration, drilling and production operations.
For example, in high-pressure, high-temperature wells, operators rely on LVDTs to verify the open or closed state of interval control valves, chokes and hydraulic actuators. This information allows operators to make precise remote adjustments from the surface. NewTek Sensor Solutions offers several variations of LVDTs for accurate use in varying downhole applications.
- For external applications, NewTek offers compact designs with strong Inconel housings for durability and corrosion resistance. Their compact diameters and lightweight cores suit tight tool clearances and limited space. A robust Inconel housing allows them to withstand direct exposure to wellbore fluids, often called “mud," which can contain abrasive solids and harsh corrosive chemicals like sulfuric acid and hydrogen sulfide.
- For internal hydraulic tool applications, such as control and safety valves that operate deep inside the wellbore, NewTek provides M-375 Miniature Vented LVDTs that withstand high pressures to 30,000 psi and temperatures to 392°F (200°C). The vented design equalizes pressure, protecting sensor integrity and ensuring performance in challenging conditions. Offering superior shock and vibration resilience, they withstand intense tool movement pressure surges and fracturing dynamics without signal degradation. Vented versions of the M-375 Series are widely used in hydraulic actuators on drilling equipment to monitor ground deformation during extraction and optimize tool performance.
- NewTek also custom-engineers sensors tailored to the unique geometries, environmental conditions, and electrical interface requirements of downhole applications. The company has developed large-bore LVDTs for high-force hydraulic tools and ultra-compact units for tight clearances in complex completion assemblies. Using high-performance materials such as Inconel 718, sensors are built to endure aggressive environments. LVDT cores can either be housed in an Inconel case or coated, making them impervious to many drilling fluids.
Sensors used in oil exploration and extraction must operate in pressure and extreme environments. LVDTs are preferred in downhole environments due to their durability, accuracy, and ability to measure absolute position in extreme conditions without degradation. Their non-contact, frictionless design makes them a reliable choice for critical position feedback in oil and gas extraction.