Course Overview
This 5-day course offers a thorough understanding of directional drilling principles and trajectory design in the oil and gas industry. Participants will learn the fundamentals of wellbore planning, drilling techniques, tools, and technologies used to control well trajectories. The course emphasizes practical applications in designing efficient and safe well paths to optimize reservoir access, reduce drilling risks, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basics of directional drilling and its applications
- Interpret well trajectory data and plan well paths effectively
- Select and use drilling tools and equipment for directional control
- Apply principles of borehole mechanics and surveying techniques
- Design well trajectories considering geological and operational constraints
- Analyze and troubleshoot common drilling problems related to trajectory
- Use software tools for trajectory planning and simulation
- Implement best practices for safety and environmental compliance
Who Should Attend
- Drilling Engineers and Supervisors
- Well Planners and Directional Drillers
- Geologists and Geophysicists involved in well design
- Field Engineers and Operations Personnel
- Project Managers overseeing drilling operations
- Technical staff supporting directional drilling activities
Course Outline
Introduction to Directional Drilling
- History and Overview of Directional Drilling
- Applications and Benefits of Directional Wells
- Types of Directional Wells and Drilling Techniques
- Basic Drilling Equipment and Tools
Borehole Surveying and Data Interpretation
- Principles of Wellbore Surveying
- Survey Tools and Techniques (e.g., Gyroscopic, Magnetic Surveys)
- Data Acquisition and Error Management
- Hands-on Exercise: Interpreting Survey Data
Trajectory Planning and Well Path Design
- Well Path Geometry: Build, Hold, Drop, and Kick-off Points
- Designing Trajectories for Target Reservoirs
- Constraints: Geological, Mechanical, and Operational
- Software Applications for Trajectory Design
- Workshop: Designing a Well Trajectory Using Software
Drilling Tools and Technologies
- Downhole Motors, Rotary Steerable Systems, and MWD/LWD Tools
- Drill String Design and Toolface Control
- Borehole Stability and Hole Cleaning Considerations
- Case Study: Tool Selection for Complex Well Profiles
Troubleshooting and Best Practices
- Common Directional Drilling Problems and Solutions
- Risk Management and Safety in Directional Drilling
- Environmental Considerations and Compliance
- Integrating Directional Drilling into Field Development Plans
- Course Wrap-up, Q&A, and Feedback