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HPHT Drilling Design & Operations Training Course

Comprehensive HPHT Drilling Design & Operations training aligned with API RP 96 and NORSOK D-010 standards.

Main Service Location

Course Title

HPHT Drilling Design & Operations

Course Duration

5 Days

Training Delivery Method

Classroom (Instructor-Led) or Online (Instructor-Led)

Assessment Criteria

Knowledge Assessment

Service Category

Training, Assessment, and Certification Services

Service Coverage

In Tamkene Training Center or On-Site: Covering Saudi Arabia (Dammam - Khobar - Dhahran - Jubail - Riyadh - Jeddah - Tabuk - Madinah - NEOM - Qassim - Makkah - Any City in Saudi Arabia) - MENA Region

Course Average Passing Rate

98%

Post Training Reporting 

Post Training Report + Candidate(s) Training Evaluation Forms

Certificate of Successful Completion

Certification is provided upon successful completion. The certificate can be verified through a QR-Code system.

Certification Provider

Tamkene Saudi Training Center - Approved by TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation)

Certificate Validity

3 Years (Extendable)

Instructors Languages

English / Arabic

Interactive Learning Methods

3 Years (Extendable)

Training Services Design Methodology

ADDIE Training Design Methodology

ADDIE Training Services Design Methodology (1).png

Course Outline

1. Introduction to HPHT Drilling

1.1 HPHT Fundamentals
  • Industry definitions and classifications including (standard HPHT, extreme HPHT, ultra HPHT).

  • Global HPHT regions and characteristics including (North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Middle East).

  • Technical challenges including (temperature effects, pressure management, material limitations).

  • Economic considerations including (increased costs, longer project timelines, risk premiums).

  • Introduction to API RP 96 and NORSOK D-010 for HPHT operations.


1.2 HPHT Well Architecture
  • Well design considerations including (casing design, wellhead selection, completion requirements).

  • Barrier philosophy including (primary, secondary, and tertiary barriers).

  • Temperature and pressure profiles including (static, dynamic, shut-in conditions).

  • Material selection criteria including (temperature deration, H₂S considerations, CO₂ resistance).

  • Wellbore stability in HPHT environments including (narrow pressure windows, formation integrity).


2. HPHT Well Planning and Design

2.1 Pore Pressure and Fracture Gradient
  • Pore pressure prediction methods including (seismic velocity, offset well data, geological trends).

  • Fracture gradient estimation including (leak-off tests, formation integrity tests, mini-fracs).

  • Temperature gradient assessment including (bottom hole static temperature, circulating temperature).

  • Pressure testing protocols including (formation strength tests, extended leak-off tests).

  • Narrow drilling window management including (equivalent circulating density control, pressure management).


2.2 Casing Design for HPHT
  • Design criteria including (burst, collapse, tension, biaxial/triaxial loading).

  • Temperature effects including (thermal expansion, strength deration, connection performance).

  • Material selection including (high-strength alloys, corrosion resistant alloys, and specialty steels).

  • Connection design including (premium connections, metal-to-metal seals, thread compounds).

  • Thermal analysis including (heating/cooling cycles, thermal stress, fatigue considerations).


3. Drilling Fluids and Cementing

3.1 HPHT Drilling Fluids
  • Fluid selection criteria including (temperature stability, pressure control, wellbore stability).

  • Rheology management including (temperature effects, thinning, gelation).

  • Filtration control including (HTHP filter loss, dynamic filtration, bridging materials).

  • Chemical stability including (thermal degradation, contamination resistance, aging effects).

  • Specialized additives including (temperature stabilizers, lubricants, and thinners).


3.2 HPHT Cementing Operations
  • Cement slurry design including (temperature resistant systems, retarders, silica addition).

  • Thickening time control including (laboratory testing, temperature simulation, pressure effects).

  • Mechanical properties including (compressive strength development, elastic properties, expansion).

  • Placement techniques including (centralization, mud removal, displacement efficiency).

  • Cement testing including (thickening time, fluid loss, static gel strength, and compressive strength).


4. Drilling Equipment Selection

4.1 Rig Selection and Capabilities
  • Pressure rating requirements including (BOP, choke manifold, mud system).

  • Hoisting capacity including (casing weight, temperature effects, safety factors).

  • Mud pump capabilities including (pressure rating, volume requirements, redundancy).

  • Power systems including (capacity, reliability, backup systems).

  • Auxiliary equipment including (handling tools, pressure control equipment, monitoring systems).


4.2 Drillstring Design for HPHT
  • Material selection including (grade selection, temperature deration, environmental considerations).

  • Connection design including (make-up torque, shoulder integrity, thermal cycling).

  • Fatigue management including (temperature effects, vibration, dogleg severity).

  • Hydraulics considerations including (equivalent circulating density, surge/swab, pressure loss).

  • Tool selection including (downhole motors, MWD/LWD tools, temperature ratings).


5. Well Control Equipment and Procedures

5.1 HPHT BOP Systems
  • BOP stack design including (ram configuration, pressure ratings, temperature considerations).

  • Elastomer selection including (temperature limits, pressure ratings, extrusion resistance).

  • Control systems including (accumulator capacity, response time, redundancy).

  • Testing protocols including (function testing, pressure testing, documentation).

  • Maintenance considerations including (inspection frequency, parts replacement, recertification).


5.2 HPHT Well Control Procedures
  • Kick detection in HPHT wells including (subtle indicators, flow checks, monitoring).

  • Shut-in procedures including (soft shut-in, hard shut-in, decision criteria).

  • Well kill methods including (driller's method, wait and weight, volumetric control).

  • Gas behavior in HPHT including (solubility, expansion rates, migration).

  • Specialized control techniques including (managed pressure drilling, early kick detection).


6. Managed Pressure Drilling for HPHT

6.1 MPD Fundamentals for HPHT
  • MPD variants including (constant bottom hole pressure, pressurized mud cap, dual gradient).

  • Equipment components including (rotating control devices, choke manifolds, pressure monitoring).

  • Operational window management including (pressure limits, ECD control, surge/swab).

  • Automation systems including (pressure management, flow control, anomaly detection).

  • Integration with conventional systems including (BOP compatibility, rig modifications).


6.2 MPD Implementation
  • Pre-job planning including (pressure profiles, contingency plans, equipment certification).

  • Hydraulics modeling including (dynamic ECD, transient analysis, temperature effects).

  • Operational procedures including (connections, tripping, circulation changes).

  • Early kick/loss detection including (fingerprinting, flow monitoring, pressure trends).

  • Anomaly response including (kick handling, loss mitigation, equipment failure).


7. HPHT Material Technology

7.1 Metallurgy for HPHT Applications
  • Steel properties including (yield strength, tensile strength, toughness).

  • Temperature effects including (strength deration, embrittlement, creep).

  • Corrosion mechanisms including (H₂S, CO₂, oxygen, galvanic effects).

  • Material selection including (low-alloy steels, CRAs, nickel alloys, and titanium).

  • Testing and qualification including (SSC testing, HIC testing, corrosion testing).


7.2 Elastomers and Seals
  • Elastomer types including (nitriles, fluorocarbons, HNBR, perfluoroelastomers).

  • Temperature limitations including (glass transition, decomposition, hardening).

  • Pressure effects including (extrusion, compression set, seal energization).

  • Chemical compatibility including (drilling fluids, completion fluids, hydrocarbons).

  • Testing protocols including (aging tests, RGD testing, explosive decompression).


8. HPHT Formation Evaluation

8.1 Logging While Drilling in HPHT
  • Tool selection including (temperature ratings, pressure ratings, measurement accuracy).

  • Measurement challenges including (temperature effects, environmental corrections).

  • Formation evaluation techniques including (resistivity, porosity, density, imaging).

  • Data quality considerations including (temperature drift, calibration, verification).

  • High-temperature electronics including (cooling systems, shielding, reliability).


8.2 Wireline Logging in HPHT
  • Tool selection including (high-temperature tools, pressure housings, specialized cables).

  • Operational considerations including (time limitations, cooling methods, contingencies).

  • Logging program design including (critical measurements, prioritization, risk assessment).

  • Alternative technologies including (memory tools, drill pipe conveyed logging, testing while tripping).

  • Data interpretation including (environmental corrections, uncertainty quantification).


9. Risk Management in HPHT Operations

9.1 Risk Assessment and Mitigation
  • Hazard identification including (technical risks, operational risks, environmental risks).

  • Risk assessment methodologies including (HAZID, HAZOP, bow-tie analysis).

  • Barrier management including (barrier validation, independence verification, performance standards).

  • Contingency planning including (pressure control events, tool failures, wellbore instability).

  • Management of change including (approval protocols, risk reassessment, communication).


9.2 HPHT Specific Contingency Planning
  • Lost circulation strategies including (preventive measures, remedial treatments, alternative technologies).

  • Stuck pipe management including (prevention, freeing mechanisms, recovery options).

  • Equipment failure response including (redundancy systems, workarounds, replacement strategies).

  • Well integrity restoration including (remedial cementing, casing repair, sidetracking).

  • Emergency disconnect scenarios including (subsea applications, riser management, reentry plans).


10. HPHT Testing and Qualification

10.1 Equipment Testing Standards
  • Industry standards including (API 16A, API 6A, API 17TR8).

  • Testing methodologies including (validation, verification, qualification).

  • Documentation requirements including (certificates, traceability, quality assurance).

  • Technical specifications including (pressure ratings, temperature ratings, life cycle).

  • Qualification workflows including (design verification, prototype testing, production testing).


10.2 Reliability and Quality Assurance
  • Quality management systems including (ISO 9001, API Q1, quality plans).

  • Factory acceptance testing including (witness points, hold points, documentation).

  • Field verification including (function testing, pressure testing, commissioning).

  • Maintenance programs including (inspection intervals, recertification, parts replacement).

  • Failure reporting including (root cause analysis, corrective actions, and lessons learned).


11. HSE in HPHT Operations

  • Specialized risk assessments including (pressure containment, temperature hazards).

  • Personnel safety including (hot surfaces, pressure testing exclusion zones, PPE requirements).

  • Environmental considerations including (spill prevention, waste management, emissions).

  • Emergency response including (well control events, blowouts, equipment failures).

  • Regulatory compliance including (permits, notifications, reporting requirements).


12. Case Studies & Group Discussions

  • Regional case studies from Middle East HPHT operations including (deep gas wells, complex lithology).

  • Well control incidents including (root cause analysis, response effectiveness, lessons learned).

  • Equipment failure analysis including (metallurgical failures, operational errors, design flaws).

  • Decision-making exercises including (operational scenarios, contingency implementation).

  • The importance of proper training in successful HPHT drilling operations.

Targeted Audience

  • Drilling Engineers designing HPHT wells.

  • Well Engineers responsible for HPHT operations.

  • Drilling Supervisors overseeing rig operations in HPHT environments.

  • Completions Engineers working with HPHT wells.

  • Well Control Specialists dealing with high-pressure conditions.

  • Materials and Equipment Engineers selecting HPHT components.

  • HSE Professionals supporting high-risk drilling operations.

  • Technical Managers overseeing HPHT drilling projects.

Knowledge Assessment

  • Technical quizzes on HPHT principles including (multiple-choice questions on pressure control, matching exercises for equipment selection).

  • Problem-solving exercises on well design including (casing design, barrier verification).

  • Scenario-based assessments including (well control events, equipment failures).

  • Risk assessment exercises including (hazard identification, mitigation strategies).

Key Learning Objectives

  • Master fundamental HPHT concepts and industry definitions.

  • Develop comprehensive HPHT well designs with appropriate barriers and contingencies.

  • Select suitable materials, equipment, and technologies for HPHT environments.

  • Implement effective well control strategies specific to HPHT conditions.

  • Apply appropriate drilling fluids and cement systems for elevated temperatures and pressures.

  • Design and execute testing protocols for HPHT equipment qualification.

  • Implement risk management and mitigation strategies for HPHT operations.

  • Apply HSE considerations specific to HPHT drilling environments.

Course Overview

This HPHT Drilling Design & Operations training course equips participants with specialized knowledge and critical skills required for planning and executing drilling operations in high-pressure high-temperature environments. The course addresses the unique challenges of HPHT wells including equipment selection, materials technology, well control, and risk management.


Participants will learn how to apply industry best practices and international standards to make informed decisions throughout the HPHT drilling lifecycle. The training emphasizes a systematic approach to HPHT operations that balances technical requirements, operational safety, and economic considerations while ensuring well integrity in these challenging environments.

Practical Assessment

  • HPHT well design exercise including (casing design, material selection, and barrier identification).

  • Drilling fluid program development including (product selection, properties maintenance, contingency plans).

  • Well control scenario management including (kick indicators, response procedures, kill methods).

  • Risk assessment including (hazard identification, mitigation planning, and contingency development).

Why Choose This Course?

  • Comprehensive coverage of HPHT drilling from fundamentals to advanced applications.

  • Integration of theoretical principles with practical applications from real-world scenarios.

  • Focus on industry best practices and international standards including API RP 96 and NORSOK D-010.

  • Hands-on exercises with actual field data and case studies.

  • Exposure to state-of-the-art equipment and technologies for HPHT environments.

  • Emphasis on risk management and operational safety.

  • Opportunity to learn from case studies based on regional challenges.

  • Development of critical skills for safely managing HPHT drilling operations.

Note: This course outline, including specific topics, modules, and duration, can be customized based on the specific needs and requirements of the client.

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