1. n. [Drilling]

The deviation from vertical, irrespective of compass direction, expressed in degrees. Inclination is measured initially with a pendulum mechanism, and confirmed with MWD accelerometers or gyroscopes. For most vertical wellbores, inclination is the only measurement of the path of the wellbore. For intentionally deviated wellbores, or wells close to legal boundaries, directional information is usually also measured.

See related terms: accelerometer,  azimuth,  deviated hole,  survey