🎯 Course Description:
This intensive 5-day program focuses on Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) – an advanced technique used to drill wells where the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid is intentionally kept below formation pressure. Participants will learn how to implement UBD to minimize formation damage, enhance reservoir productivity, and reduce lost circulation risks.
The course combines theory, operational planning, real-world case studies, and simulation workshops to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to execute UBD safely and efficiently.
👥 Who Should Attend:
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Drilling and completion engineers
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Reservoir and production engineers
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UBD specialists and supervisors
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Directional drillers and toolpushers
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Safety professionals in managed drilling operations
🗓️ Day 1: Fundamentals of Underbalanced Drilling
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome, Course Overview, Introduction to UBD |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Why Drill Underbalanced? – Benefits and limitations |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:15 | UBD vs MPD vs Conventional Drilling – Technical comparison |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Formation Damage and Reservoir Productivity – Prevention via UBD |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Case Study: Successful implementation of UBD in mature fields |
🗓️ Day 2: Equipment, Fluids, and System Design
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | UBD System Components – Rotating control devices (RCDs), separator systems |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Gas Injection Systems and Fluid Design – Foam, mist, air, nitrogen |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Casing and Tubular Considerations – Flow assurance and safety |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Selecting a UBD method based on reservoir characteristics |
🗓️ Day 3: Well Control and Operational Challenges
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Well Control in UBD – Operating with live wells, surface separation |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Kick Detection and Gas Handling – Flaring, separation, degassing |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Lost Circulation and Stability Risks – Mitigation techniques |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Simulating a kick event in an underbalanced environment |
🗓️ Day 4: UBD Planning and Execution
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Planning UBD Wells – Candidate selection, data analysis |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | UBD Drilling Programs – Phased approach, modeling tools |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Safety and Regulatory Compliance – UBD-specific safety procedures |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Case Study: UBD operations in carbonate formations |
🗓️ Day 5: Assessment, Simulation and Certification
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Written Exam – UBD operational theory and safety principles |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Simulation Exercise – UBD system monitoring and live well control |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Wrap-Up Session – Integration of learnings and best practices |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Final Q&A, Feedback, Course Wrap-Up & Certification Distribution |
📂 Course Materials Provided:
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Underbalanced Drilling Handbook
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UBD system schematics and flow charts
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Reservoir damage prevention guide
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Real-world UBD case study pack
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Access to UBD simulation tool for hands-on practice
