Petroleum drilling fundamentals course content

1. Petroleum Drilling Fundamentals
This intensive 2 day course will provide participants with a solid all-round grounding in the technologies,
concepts, methods and language used in oil and gas drilling .The course will also examines the
fundamentals of well design and execution of the drilling program. Participants will see how a well
design incorporates the uncertainty and how execution of the drilling plan is adjusted to cope with
differences and changes. Subsurface uncertainty and its impact on risk in the drilling process is a key
theme throughout.
Key Learning Outcomes
Develop an understanding of the inputs, uncertainties and risks inherent in well design
Understand the key roles of geology/petroleum engineering together with drilling engineering
to deliver successful wells
Examine the drilling operations process including drilling problems and risks
Gain insights into new technologies and techniques
Who Should Attend
New employees in oil and gas companies who need a solid grounding in drilling operations
Technical staff in drilling and associated departments requiring an introduction
Supply chain management and finance staff involved in drilling operations and budgets
Regulatory entities, bankers, lawyers, accountants and financial professionals
Course Outline
Introduction to Rig types and Drill Component
Rig Selection and basic planning steps
Types of wells
Types of rigs
Steps to drill oil or gas wells
The well construction team
Well costing
Communications and safety issues.
Basic pore pressure and fracture gradient estimation
Units and terminology and basic definitions
Geopressure and well design consideration
Causes of overpressure
Pore pressure theory
Real time diagnostics of pore pressure
Overburden gradient estimation
Fracture gradient estimation
LOT analysis

2. Casing seat selection
Uncertainty analysis.
Designing the well
Translating the geological prognosis into a well design
Rig selection
Types of drilling rigs – onshore and offshore
Drilling equipment
The rotary system – conventional, top drive, rotary steerable
Automated rigs
Contractor selection
Casing and Cementing
Drilling muds and completion fluids; types and functions
Bits and specialised drilling equipment
Formation and well evaluation requirements:
Mud logging
Wireline and MWD/LWD logging
Case Study: Casing design including uncertainties in pressure and rock strength
Case Study: Identification of potential drilling hazards
Drilling the well
Monitoring progress in drilling operations
The daily drilling report – what does it contain and how do you read it?
Well control issues – why the drilling foreman needs a certificate:
Mud control and testing
Casing and cementing operations
Things that can go wrong
Stuck pipe
Overpressures
Lost circulation
Kicks
Completing the well
Types of completions – what is their function?
Completion fluids – why are they different from drilling fluids?
Basic completion string equipment and Xmas trees
Sand control equipment – from screens to gravel packs
Perforation technology – equipment and safety aspects
New technology & ideas

3. “Drilling the limit” how to improve and save money
Expandable tubulars
Multi-lateral wells
Smart wells (Intelligent completions)