📘 Course Description:
This course provides an in-depth understanding of geomechanics and rock mechanics principles as they apply to drilling optimization. It focuses on predicting and mitigating wellbore instability, mud losses, stuck pipe incidents, kicks, and well control issues. Participants will learn how to use geomechanical models, interpret logs and drilling data, and apply practical methods for safe and cost-effective drilling in complex formations.
Attendees will build and calibrate Mechanical Earth Models (MEMs), perform wellbore stability analysis, optimize mud weight windows, and gain confidence in using geomechanics for real-time drilling decisions.
🎯 Learning Objectives:
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Understand stress regimes and rock failure mechanisms
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Construct and calibrate a 1D Mechanical Earth Model (MEM)
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Analyze wellbore stability in vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells
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Optimize mud weight, casing points, and trajectory design
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Mitigate borehole problems using geomechanics data and tools
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Apply real-time geomechanics during drilling operations
✅ Day 1: Introduction to Rock Mechanics and Stress Regimes
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome and Course Objectives |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Principles of Rock Mechanics: Stress, Strain, and Strength |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | In-situ Stress Regimes & Overburden, σH, σh |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Rock Properties: Elastic & Failure (UCS, Poisson’s Ratio, etc.) |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 – 16:30 | Log- and Lab-Based Data Sources for Rock Mechanics |
✅ Day 2: MEM Construction & Pore Pressure Analysis
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:30 | Pore Pressure Mechanisms and Prediction Methods |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | MEM Workflow: Input Data, Calibration, and Applications |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | MEM Components: Stress, Pressure, Elasticity, Strength |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 – 16:30 | MEM Calibration Using Wellbore Image Logs and Drilling Events |
✅ Day 3: Wellbore Stability Modeling
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:30 | Wellbore Failure Modes: Breakouts, Washouts, Fractures |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | Stability Analysis for Vertical & Inclined Wells |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Mud Weight Window Optimization |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 – 16:30 | Designing Casing Points Based on Stress Profiles |
✅ Day 4: Drilling Challenges and Optimization
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:30 | Managing Stuck Pipe, Lost Circulation, and Kicks with Geomechanics |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | Well Trajectory and Dogleg Severity Considerations |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Drilling-Induced Fractures & Borehole Strengthening |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 – 16:30 | Real-Time Decision Making with Geomechanics |
✅ Day 5: Case Studies & Hands-On Exercises
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:30 | MEM Application in Complex Drilling Projects |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | Case Study 1: Deepwater Drilling Optimization |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Case Study 2: HPHT Wellbore Stability and Mud Weight Management |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 – 16:30 | Group Exercise, Review, Q&A, Certificates |
🧰 Course Materials Include:
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1D MEM Excel Tool & Templates
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Borehole stability calculation sheets
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Case study documentation
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Geomechanical log interpretation examples
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Practical exercises with answer keys
👥 Who Should Attend:
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Drilling Engineers
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Well Engineers
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Geomechanics Specialists
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Petrophysicists & Geologists
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Reservoir Engineers involved in well planning
