Understanding Unconventional Well Control

Disciplines
Engineering
Category
Drilling • Foundational • Unconventional Reservoir
Format
 
Available
Private 

Who Should Attend

Engineers and field service personnel (Drilling Supervisors/Co. Men) who want to learn how traditional well control principles apply to unconventional drilling applications.

Description

This course is designed to teach personnel how traditional well control principles apply to unconventional/horizontal drilling applications.  While the fundamental physical processes governing fluid movement and gas expansion in a wellbore are the same in both vertical and horizontal wells, the interpretation of data and practical application of traditional well control techniques vary significantly.  

This course will first re-establish fundamental physical concepts regarding well bore pressures and fluid movement, then build on that knowledge base to expand understanding of how to respond to well control challenges in unconventional wellbores.  Fundamentals of traditional choke pressure management and Managed Pressure Drilling will be covered.

Learning Outcomes

       Understand and calculate wellbore pressure before, during and after a well control event

       Understand how fluids (including gas) move, both to and from formations in unconventional rock

       Understand how fluid moves and how gas expands in both vertical and horizontal wellbores

       Understand how to maintain constant bottom hole pressures commensurate with fracture pressures during unconventional drilling and well control operations

       Understand how to respond appropriately for successful horizontal well kills

       Understand how kick detection and warning signs differ in horizontal wells vs. vertical wells

       Understand how drilling and tripping operations affect wellbore pressures

       Understand how to successfully apply managed pressure drilling (MPD) techniques for safe and efficient wellbore delivery

       Understand how to place mud caps for tripping operations

       Understand how to recognize and mitigate ballooning events

       Understand water flows in unconventional reservoirs

Course Content

       Overview of well control equipment, including managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems.

       Pressure and fluid flow fundamentals

       Pressures during well control events

       Fluid movement both to and from formations as well as within the wellbore

       Traditional well kills

       Horizontal well kills

       Kick detection and warning signs

       Pressure management while drilling

       Mud caps

       Managed pressure drilling (MPD) techniques and fundamentals

In-Person

Length
4 Days

Upcoming Events

Check back in periodically for updated Public and Live Online course dates!

In-House

This course is also available as a private, onsite course upon request. Contact us for details and pricing.

Request Private/In-House Training

Instructor

Lee A. Richards, PhD, PE headshotLee A. Richards, PhD, PE