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Rig Mathematics Training Course

Master essential mathematical calculations for drilling operations in compliance with API RP 13D standards.

Main Service Location

Course Title

Rig Mathematics

Course Duration

5 Days

Training Delivery Method

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

Assessment Criteria

Practical Assessment and 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 Rig Mathematics

1.1 Importance of Mathematical Accuracy in Drilling Operations
  • Impact of mathematical errors on safety and operational efficiency including (blowout prevention calculations, mud weight determination)

  • Role of mathematics in rig operations and decision-making including (pressure control, stuck pipe prevention)

  • Historical perspective on mathematical applications in drilling including (evolution from manual to digital calculations)


1.2 Systems of Measurement
  • Imperial vs. metric unit conversions including (converting feet to meters, gallons to liters)

  • Common drilling industry units and notations including (pounds per gallon, specific gravity units)

  • Standardization of units according to API Specification 13A including (barite density standards, clay yield requirements)


2. Fundamental Mathematical Operations

2.1 Basic Arithmetic Review
  • Applied drilling calculations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division including (additive concentration calculations, determining total depths)

  • Order of operations in complex formulas including (trip margin calculations, surge and swab pressure determinations)

  • Rounding and significant figures in drilling calculations including (mud weight precision requirements, pressure test accuracy)


2.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages
  • Converting between fractions and decimals in rig applications including (pipe dimensions, tool joint specifications)

  • Percentage calculations for fluid additives including (cement slurry additives, lost circulation material concentrations)

  • Concentration and dilution problems including (barite sag prevention, brine preparation)


3. Volume Calculations

3.1 Geometric Principles in Drilling
  • Area and volume formulas for common shapes including (rectangular pits, cylindrical tanks)

  • Calculating irregular pit volumes including (trapezoidal mud pits, custom-shaped tanks)

  • Displacement volumes including (pipe displacement while tripping, cement displacement calculations)


3.2 Tank and Pit Volume Determinations
  • Strapping tables and calibration techniques including (creating volume charts for tanks, verifying existing tank tables)

  • Calculating fluid volumes in partial tanks including (determining mud volumes in active systems, calculating available pit space)

  • Annular volume calculations including (wellbore-drillstring annulus, casing-hole annulus)


4. Pressure Calculations

4.1 Fundamental Pressure Principles
  • Hydrostatic pressure calculations including (calculating bottomhole pressure, determining kick tolerance)

  • Pressure gradient determinations including (pore pressure estimation, fracture gradient calculation)

  • Pressure conversion between units including (converting psi to kPa, bar to psi)


4.2 Advanced Pressure Applications
  • Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) calculations including (determining ECD in narrow margin wells, optimizing drilling parameters)

  • Surge and swab pressure determinations including (calculating safe tripping speeds, preventing formation breakdown)

  • Pump pressure and horsepower calculations including (determining required pump pressure for efficient hole cleaning, optimizing bit hydraulics)


5. Weight and Density Calculations

5.1 Mud Weight Control
  • Density calculations and conversions including (converting from specific gravity to ppg, from kg/m³ to lb/ft³)

  • Material balance equations including (determining barite additions, calculating dilution requirements)

  • Weight-up and dilution problems including (increasing mud weight in emergency situations, preparing kill mud)


5.2 Weight-to-Volume Conversions
  • Solids content determinations including (calculating low gravity solids content, determining drill solids concentration)

  • Barite sag prevention calculations including (determining critical flow rates, calculating settling tendencies)

  • Bulk density and volume requirements including (calculating cement volume requirements, determining liquid additive volumes)


6. HSE Considerations in Rig Mathematics

6.1 Safety Factors in Engineering Calculations
  • Safety margin determinations including (casing design factors, kick tolerance calculations)

  • Risk assessment quantification including (evaluating pressure test results, determining safe operating windows)

  • Failure analysis calculations including (tubular burst and collapse pressure determination, material strength evaluations)


6.2 Environmental Impact Calculations
  • Spill volume estimations including (calculating containment requirements, determining reportable quantities)

  • Waste management calculations including (determining cuttings volume, calculating treatment requirements)

  • Emissions quantification including (calculating carbon footprint, determining fuel efficiency)


7. Quality Control in Mathematical Applications

7.1 Statistical Analysis for Drilling Operations
  • Basic statistical tools for data evaluation including (analyzing mud check data, evaluating formation pressure tests)

  • Error identification and correction including (identifying outliers in pressure data, correcting volume measurement errors)

  • Quality assurance in mathematical processes including (verifying calculation procedures, implementing double-check systems)


7.2 Documentation and Reporting
  • Proper mathematical documentation practices including (maintaining accurate drilling reports, recording weight and volume measurements)

  • Creating and using calculation sheets including (designing hydraulics worksheets, creating pit volume tracking forms)

  • Graphical representation of mathematical data including (pressure vs. depth plots, rate of penetration analysis)


8. Case Studies & Group Discussions

  • Analysis of mathematical errors and their consequences including (Middle East well control incidents, formation damage cases)

  • Problem-solving sessions for common rig mathematical challenges including (lost circulation scenarios, stuck pipe incidents)

  • Regional challenges in drilling operations requiring mathematical solutions including (high-pressure formations in the Arabian Gulf, narrow drilling margins in the Mesopotamian Basin)

  • The importance of proper training in preventing operational incidents

Targeted Audience

  • Drilling engineers requiring mathematical skills for operational decisions

  • Mud engineers needing calculation expertise for fluid management

  • Rig supervisors responsible for operational efficiency and safety

  • Well control specialists requiring pressure calculation proficiency

  • Technical support personnel involved in drilling operations

  • Equipment maintenance staff needing volume and pressure calculation skills

  • HSE personnel responsible for risk assessment and management

  • Quality assurance staff involved in drilling operations

  • Operations managers overseeing drilling activities

Knowledge Assessment

  • Written examination on key mathematical principles including (multiple-choice questions on pressure calculations and matching exercise for unit conversions)

  • Problem-solving exercises related to real-world drilling scenarios including (determining mud weight requirements and calculating annular volumes)

  • Calculation accuracy evaluation including (pressure gradient determinations and volume conversions)

Key Learning Objectives

  • Master essential mathematical calculations used in drilling operations

  • Calculate pressure gradients, equivalent circulating densities, and hydrostatic pressures

  • Determine accurate volume measurements for various pit and tank geometries

  • Apply weight-to-volume conversion techniques for drilling fluid additives

  • Perform hydraulic calculations for optimized drilling operations

  • Analyze and solve real-world mathematical problems encountered on drilling rigs

  • Implement mathematical techniques in accordance with API RP 13D standards

Course Overview

This comprehensive Rig Mathematics Training Course equips participants with essential mathematical skills required for various drilling operations. The course covers fundamental calculations related to pressure gradients, hydraulics, volume determinations, and weight-to-volume conversions essential for efficient and safe rig operations. 


Participants will gain hands-on experience with real-world calculations used daily on drilling rigs, enabling them to make accurate technical decisions and enhance operational safety. This course adheres to industry best practices and API RP 13D standards for drilling fluid processing systems.

Practical Assessment

  • Hands-on calculation exercises using actual drilling data including (strapping tables creation and hydraulic calculations)

  • Field-based volume and weight determinations under supervision including (tank volume measurement and mud weight verification)

  • Implementation of mathematical techniques in simulated drilling scenarios including (kick detection calculations and pressure control determination)

Why Choose This Course?

  • Practical approach focusing on real-world applications rather than abstract theory

  • Industry-relevant examples drawn from actual drilling operations

  • Hands-on problem-solving using calculators and spreadsheets

  • Comprehensive coverage of all essential mathematical skills for drilling operations

  • Focus on safety-critical calculations that prevent well control incidents

  • Alignment with international standards and best practices

  • Interactive learning methodology with group discussions and case studies

  • Practical assessments that verify competency in applied mathematics

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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