Why a Smart Innovation Still Needs a Smarter Workflow
Magnetic separation systems are increasingly used in drilling operations to protect downhole tools and improve fluid cleanliness. Technologies like JAG-MAG and Dual MAPS, which use high-strength neodymium rods to capture ferrous debris, are proving their value in reducing BHA-related failures.
However, one critical part of this system remains under-addressed: the cleaning of the magnetic rods. The cleaning step, often overlooked in risk assessments, presents a consistent and avoidable hazard.
Magnetic Separation: Progress with an Operational Gap
While magnetic rods effectively capture damaging particles from the drilling fluid, cleaning them often falls back on outdated practices. On many rigs, crews still rely on manual methods that include:
- Scraping shavings off the rods with improvised tools
- Handling contaminated, greasy rods by hand
- Separating magnets and debris with force, increasing strain
- Performing this task under time pressure during active operations
These practices increase the risk of injury and reduce consistency in cleaning, affecting both personnel safety and system performance.
The Core Problem: Cleaning Without a System
The issue is not with the magnets themselves. It lies in how they are maintained. As with many innovations, support workflows have lagged behind the core technology. This creates exposure to:
- Lacerations from sharp metallic debris
- Pinch injuries during manual rod handling
- Oil-based mud contamination during contact
- Performance loss if magnets are not fully cleaned
- Delays or added non-productive time during cleaning cycles
These risks remain largely undocumented in HSE logs but are regularly experienced by rig crews.
A Safer Alternative: Semi-Automatic Rod Cleaning
To address these challenges, Jagtech developed a Semi-Automatic Cleaning System. It is a compact, rig-ready unit that enables fast, safe cleaning of magnetic rods using compressed air within a shielded chamber to move a metallic scraper.
This solution:
- Uses air to operate the scraper
- Contains all particles inside an enclosed cleaning station
- Eliminates hand contact with magnets or metal shavings
- Reduces glove and skin exposure to oil-based mud
- Delivers consistent cleaning quality with far less operator strain
By removing the need for manual scraping or handling, this approach transforms a hazardous task into a safe, repeatable process with a strong return compared to traditional methods.
Full-Automatic Rod Cleaning with AutoMAPS
For operations targeting the highest achievable HSE standard, Jagtech’s AutoMAPS system delivers complete automation of the rod-cleaning process. AutoMAPS removes all manual steps and eliminates operator exposure to magnets, debris, or OBM.
AutoMAPS provides:
- Zero manual handling of rods or debris
- Zero exposure to metallic shavings or oil-based mud
- No contact with fumes or contaminated surfaces
- Automatic, timed cleaning intervals for maximum consistency
- Fully enclosed operation with no open handling
- The highest level of HSE control available in magnetic filtration workflows
AutoMAPS ensures magnetic rods are cleaned the same way every time, with no operator variability and no physical strain. For long-duration or high-activity drilling, the system delivers measurable gains in both safety and operational efficiency.
Field Feedback
Operators using the semi-automatic and automatic systems report:
- Reduced incidence of hand injuries and strain
- No glove or skin contact with oil-based mud
- Faster magnetic rod turnaround during active drilling
- More reliable performance due to cleaner magnets
“Once we added the cleaner, no one had to be reminded. Cleaning went from a safety concern to a routine, low-effort task.”
Realize the Full Benefits
Magnetic separation plays an important role in extending tool life and protecting high-value BHAs. But without proper support systems, even effective technologies can introduce new risks.
The cleaning process should not be the weakest link in a safety-critical operation. With Jagtech’s Semi-Automatic Cleaning System and the fully automatic AutoMAPS solution, crews gain the protection, efficiency and reliability they need to fully realize the benefits of inline magnetic filtration.
