Precision Boreholes: Directional Drilling and MWD/LWD Technologies Training Course

Introduction

In the modern oil and gas industry, the ability to steer a wellbore precisely through complex subsurface formations is paramount for maximizing reservoir contact, optimizing production, and accessing otherwise unreachable hydrocarbon reserves. Directional drilling, augmented by real-time data acquisition from Measurement While Drilling (MWD) and Logging While Drilling (LWD) technologies, has revolutionized well construction. These advanced techniques provide critical insights into wellbore position and formation properties, enabling geosteering and proactive adjustments that significantly impact drilling efficiency and reservoir performance.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip participants with a comprehensive and practical understanding of directional drilling principles and the integration of MWD/LWD technologies. From exploring well trajectory design and the mechanics of steering tools to mastering the interpretation of real-time downhole data and anti-collision planning, you will gain the expertise to execute complex well paths with precision. This empowers you to optimize drilling performance, enhance reservoir exploitation, reduce operational risks, and strategically contribute to the successful and cost-effective development of hydrocarbon assets.

Target Audience

  • Directional Drillers and Directional Drilling Engineers.
  • Drilling Engineers and Well Planners.
  • Geologists and Geophysicists involved in Geosteering.
  • MWD/LWD Field Engineers and Data Processors.
  • Drilling Supervisors and Rig Managers.
  • Petroleum Engineers involved in Well Placement.
  • Technical Staff from Drilling Service Companies.
  • Academics and Students in Petroleum Engineering.

Duration: 10 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental principles and applications of directional and horizontal drilling.
  • Grasp the various types of well trajectories and their design considerations.
  • Analyze the components and operation of Measurement While Drilling (MWD) tools.
  • Comprehend the functionalities and interpretation of Logging While Drilling (LWD) data.
  • Evaluate drilling motors, Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS), and Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) design.
  • Develop practical skills in anti-collision planning and wellbore surveying.
  • Navigate the challenges of geosteering and real-time decision-making.
  • Formulate robust plans for safe, efficient, and precise directional drilling operations.

Course Content

  1. Fundamentals of Directional Drilling
  • History and evolution of directional drilling.
  • Applications of directional drilling: extended reach, horizontal, multilateral wells.
  • Basic directional terminology: inclination, azimuth, measured depth, true vertical depth.
  • Well objectives and target concepts.
  • Well planning workflow and coordinate systems.
  1. Well Planning and Trajectory Design
  • Types of well profiles: build-and-hold, S-shaped, horizontal.
  • Design considerations for complex trajectories.
  • Dogleg severity (DLS) and its impact on drillstring and casing.
  • Planning for anti-collision and wellbore spacing.
  • Well planning software and simulation tools.
  1. Downhole Drilling Tools and Deflection Methods
  • Drilling motors: positive displacement motors (PDM), turbine motors.
  • Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS): push-the-bit vs. point-the-bit.
  • Jetting and whipstocks for sidetracking.
  • Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) design for directional control.
  • Factors affecting BHA performance and steering tendencies.
  1. Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Systems
  • Purpose and evolution of MWD technology.
  • MWD sensors: accelerometers, magnetometers for inclination and azimuth.
  • Telemetry methods: mud pulse (positive, negative, continuous wave), electromagnetic, wired drill pipe.
  • Surface system components and data decoding.
  • Real-time transmission of drilling parameters (weight on bit, torque, RPM).
  1. Logging While Drilling (LWD) Technologies
  • Purpose and evolution of LWD technology.
  • LWD measurements: gamma ray, resistivity, density, neutron porosity, sonic, NMR.
  • Azimuthal LWD tools and borehole imaging.
  • Real-time vs. memory data acquisition.
  • Benefits of LWD for formation evaluation and geosteering.
  1. Wellbore Surveying and Position Management
  • Principles of wellbore surveying: inclination, azimuth, measured depth.
  • Surveying tools: MWD surveys, gyroscopic surveys, wireline surveys.
  • Survey calculation methods (tangential, minimum curvature).
  • Positional uncertainty and ellipsoid of uncertainty (EOU).
  • Anti-collision rules and monitoring.
  1. Geosteering and Real-Time Operations
  • Concept of geosteering: optimizing wellbore placement within a reservoir.
  • Integration of MWD/LWD data with geological models.
  • Real-time decision-making for trajectory adjustments.
  • Proactive vs. reactive geosteering techniques.
  • Case studies in successful geosteering applications.
  1. Drilling Hydraulics and Hole Cleaning in Deviated Wells
  • Rheology of drilling fluids and their role in directional drilling.
  • Pressure losses in the drill string and annulus.
  • Optimizing hydraulics for hole cleaning efficiency.
  • Challenges of hole cleaning in highly deviated and horizontal wells.
  • Recognizing and mitigating hole cleaning problems.
  1. Torque, Drag, and Wellbore Stability in Directional Wells
  • Principles of torque and drag: causes and calculation.
  • Impact of wellbore trajectory on torque and drag.
  • Strategies for mitigating excessive torque and drag.
  • Wellbore stability issues in directional wells: borehole collapse, breakouts.
  • Geomechanical considerations for wellbore design.
  1. Advanced Concepts and Future Trends
  • Introduction to multilateral drilling and complex well architectures.
  • Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) in directional applications.
  • Drillstring vibration analysis and mitigation.
  • Automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence in directional drilling.
  • Integrated drilling and formation evaluation workflows.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

For More Details call: +254-114-087-180

 

Precision Boreholes: Directional Drilling And Mwd/lwd Technologies Training Course in Zimbabwe
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