Drilling Problems Training Course

1. Introduction to Drilling Problems

1.1 Drilling Problems Overview

• Classification of drilling problems including (mechanical, hydraulic, and formation-related issues)

• Economic impact of drilling problems including (NPT analysis, cost implications, and project delays)

• Problem frequency analysis including (global statistics, regional trends, and formation-specific challenges)

• Introduction to API RP 59 and IADC guidelines for drilling problem management

• Risk assessment fundamentals for drilling operations including (hazard identification and control measures)

1.2 Problem Prevention Philosophy

• Proactive versus reactive approaches to drilling problems

• Integrated drilling optimization strategies including (parameter selection, fluid design, and wellbore stability)

• Early warning sign identification and response protocols

• Pre-drill risk assessment methodologies including (offset well analysis, geomechanical studies, and pore pressure prediction)

• Communication and decision-making workflows during problem scenarios

2. Stuck Pipe Mechanisms & Prevention

2.1 Stuck Pipe Classification

• Differential sticking mechanisms including (pressure differential, filter cake quality, and contact area)

• Mechanical sticking types including (key seating, hole collapse, and mobile formations)

• Wellbore geometry issues including (ledges, doglegs, and wellbore tortuosity)

• Pack-off scenarios including (cuttings accumulation, swelling clays, and formation cavings)

• Stuck pipe statistics and trends in different geological environments

2.2 Differential Sticking

• Pressure differential fundamentals and risk factors

• Prevention strategies including (fluid design, operational procedures, and equipment selection)

• Early detection techniques including (drilling parameters, torque monitoring, and drag analysis)

• Freeing methods including (spotting fluids, pressure manipulation, and mechanical techniques)

• Case histories and lessons learned from differential sticking incidents

2.3 Mechanical Sticking

• Key seating mechanisms and high-risk wellbore geometries

• Hole collapse factors including (formation stress, wellbore orientation, and time dependency)

• Mobile formation behavior including (salt, shale, and plastic formations)

• Prevention techniques including (BHA design, reaming practices, and survey management)

• Mechanical freeing methods including (jarring techniques, back-offs, and fishing operations)

3. Wellbore Instability Challenges

3.1 Geomechanical Factors

• Stress regimes and their influence on wellbore stability

• Rock strength considerations and failure mechanisms

• Wellbore orientation effects on stability including (optimal trajectory planning and stress analysis)

• Formation pore pressure and its relationship to instability

• Time-dependent behavior of unstable formations

3.2 Shale Instability

• Shale classification and problematic characteristics

• Chemical interactions between drilling fluids and shales

• Swelling and dispersion mechanisms

• Inhibitive drilling fluid systems and their effectiveness

• Mechanical stabilization techniques including (wellbore strengthening and stress cage effects)

3.3 Salt Section Drilling

• Salt rheology and creep behavior

• Temperature effects on salt mobility

• Drilling fluid considerations for salt sections

• Operational practices for salt drilling including (penetration rate management and tripping procedures)

• Casing design and placement strategies for salt zones

4. Lost Circulation

4.1 Lost Circulation Fundamentals

• Classification of loss mechanisms including (natural fractures, induced fractures, and vugular formations)

• Loss severity categories and appropriate response levels

• Formation strength determination and safe operating windows

• Economic impact of mud losses and decision-making criteria

• Environmental considerations for loss zones

4.2 Prevention Strategies

• ECD management techniques including (flow rate optimization, rheology control, and surge/swab mitigation)

• Wellbore strengthening mechanisms and application methods

• Drilling fluid design for loss prevention including (density management and particle size distribution)

• Operational considerations including (tripping practices, connection procedures, and pressure management)

• Pre-drill analysis techniques for loss zone identification

4.3 Treatment Methods

• Conventional LCM types, applications, and limitations

• Engineered solutions including (cross-linked pills, settable materials, and fiber technology)

• Placement techniques and operational considerations

• Monitoring effectiveness and decision points for escalation

• Advanced lost circulation treatments including (dual gradient approaches and managed pressure applications)

5. Kick Prevention & Well Control Issues

5.1 Kick Mechanisms & Detection

• Formation fluid influx causes and risk factors

• Primary well control principles and barriers

• Early kick detection methods including (conventional indicators and advanced techniques)

• False indicators and their proper interpretation

• Swabbing and surging calculations and mitigation strategies

5.2 Complex Well Control Scenarios

• Kick control in highly deviated and horizontal wells

• Gas migration effects in different wellbore geometries

• Underground blowouts and their management

• Simultaneous drilling problems including (lost circulation with kicks)

• Relief well planning considerations and techniques

6. Hole Cleaning & Cuttings Transport Issues

6.1 Hole Cleaning Fundamentals

• Cuttings transport mechanisms in vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells

• Critical parameters affecting hole cleaning efficiency

• Cuttings bed formation and removal techniques

• Indicators of poor hole cleaning including (drilling parameters and surface observations)

• Consequences of inadequate hole cleaning including (torque and drag, pack-offs, and stuck pipe)

6.2 Optimization Strategies

• Fluid property optimization for effective hole cleaning

• Mechanical methods including (pipe rotation, reciprocation, and flow rate management)

• BHA design considerations for improved cleaning

• Specialized tools for hole cleaning enhancement

• Monitoring and evaluation techniques for hole cleaning effectiveness

7. Drilling Fluid Related Problems

7.1 Fluid Property Maintenance

• Contamination sources and their effects on fluid properties

• Solids control equipment effectiveness and limitations

• Rheological problems and their impact on drilling performance

• Chemical treatments and their proper application

• Testing and monitoring protocols for fluid property management

7.2 Specific Fluid Challenges

• High-temperature effects on drilling fluids

• Barite sag mechanisms and prevention strategies

• Cement contamination issues and mitigation

• Formation fluid influx effects on mud properties

• Environmental regulations and compliance challenges

8. BHA & Drillstring Failures

8.1 Failure Mechanisms

• Fatigue failure processes and contributing factors

• Torsional failures including (twist-offs and connection failures)

• Tensile overload situations and prevention

• Corrosion and erosion mechanisms

• Washouts and their early detection

8.2 Prevention & Detection

• Non-destructive testing and inspection protocols

• Connection makeup procedures and monitoring

• Vibration detection and mitigation strategies

• Torque and drag monitoring for failure prevention

• BHA design optimization for reduced failure risk

9. Bit-Related Problems

9.1 Bit Damage Mechanisms

• Impact damage causes and prevention

• Thermal damage indicators and contributing factors

• Erosion and cutting structure wear patterns

• Formation-specific bit damage including (abrasive, plastic, and fractured formations)

• Bearing/seal failures in roller cone bits

9.2 Performance Optimization

• Bit selection criteria for problem avoidance

• Parameter optimization including (weight, RPM, and hydraulics)

• Dull bit analysis techniques and grading systems

• Vibration damaging effects and mitigation strategies

• Coring and specialty bit challenges

10. Cementing Challenges

10.1 Primary Cementing Issues

• Lost circulation during cementing operations

• Channeling causes and prevention techniques

• Gas migration mechanisms and mitigation strategies

• Incomplete displacement problems and solutions

• Contamination issues and their management

10.2 Remedial Cementing

• Squeeze cementing techniques and applications

• Plug placement challenges in deviated wellbores

• Evaluation methods for remedial cement effectiveness

• Equipment and operational considerations

• Case histories of successful remedial cementing

11. Fishing Operations

11.1 Fishing Fundamentals

• Fish classification and identification techniques

• Fishing tool selection criteria and limitations

• Operational sequences for different fishing scenarios

• Economic evaluation of fishing versus sidetracking

• Pre-fishing preparation and information gathering

11.2 Advanced Fishing Techniques

• Complex fish recovery including (multiple fish and junk retrieval)

• Milling operations and considerations

• Fishing in highly deviated and horizontal wells

• Specialized techniques including (chemical cutting, explosive release, and spearing)

• Technology advancements in fishing operations

12. HSE in Problem Resolution

• Risk assessment during problem resolution including (dynamic risk assessment and stop criteria)

• Pressure control considerations during problem handling

• Personnel safety aspects during emergency operations

• Environmental aspects of problem treatments including (lost circulation materials and chemicals)

• Emergency response coordination and management

13. Case Studies & Group Discussions

• Regional case studies from Middle East operations including (high-pressure formations, unstable shales, and salt sections)

• Problem resolution successes including (innovative approaches, quick response strategies, and valuable lessons)

• Problem-solving exercises including (diagnostic challenges, solution selection, and contingency planning)

• Integrated problem management including (multiple problem scenarios, decision trees, and risk evaluation)

• The importance of proper training in successful drilling problem resolution