Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas | Drilling and Well Engineering
Applied Drilling Engineering Optimization
Format and Duration:
2 days
4 sessions
This course covers a comprehensive range of topics essential for developing a solid understanding of drilling optimization. Participants will explore techniques of optimization, including basic concepts and various optimization methods. Key areas of focus will include hydraulic optimization, different nozzle selection criteria, and the impact of diamond and roller cone bit weight on drilling performance.
Additionally, the course will address rotary speed drilling optimization and hydraulic optimization with special downhole tools.Participants will engage in studying algorithms and optimization techniques utilized in the various stages of drilling and well completion operations. The course is designed to present different optimization methods and expose participants to a variety of problems, equipping them with the skills to solve these challenges successfully.
Business Impact: Participants will gain practical skills in drilling optimization that directly reduce non- productive time (NPT), improve rate of penetration (ROP), and extend the life of bits and downhole tools. By applying real-time analysis and planning strategies, they will be able to lower operational costs, enhance drilling efficiency, and deliver wells faster—positively impacting production timelines and overall project economics.
As part of the training, participants will receive the "Applied Drilling Engineering Optimization" color book (400 pages) authored by Dr. Robello Samuel, which serves as a valuable resource for further learning and reference.
Schedule
Duration and Training Method
This is a classroom course comprising a mixture of lectures, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises.
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
- Identify and analyze the key constraints and variables affecting drilling operations, demonstrating an understanding of their impact on optimization.
- Formulate the essentials of an optimized drilling program, integrating concepts of optimum drilling philosophy and effective well planning.
- Evaluate and apply effective well planning strategies, including offset analysis and the use of drilling parameter records to mitigate non-productive time events.
- Assess and apply various wellpath optimization techniques, including the minimum energy method and the influence of bit and BHA on wellpath efficiency.
- Implement strategies for optimizing drilling fluids, including selection criteria and the effects of mud on drilling rates and overall performance.
- Utilize real-time data monitoring and analysis techniques to detect wellbore problems and optimize drilling parameters effectively.
Course Content
- Optimization Overview
- Drilling Constraints
- Drilling Variables
- Optimized Drilling
- Optimized Drilling Program Essentials
- Optimum Drilling Philosophy
- Well Planning: Key in Drilling Optimization
- Typical Well Planning Guide
- Information Needed for Effective Well Planning
- Offset Analysis
- Bits, BHA and Drill Pipe
- Bit records
- BHA Records
- Drilling parameter records
- Wellbore problems and non productive time events
- Stick diagrams
- Important Issues in Well Planning
- Post Well Analysis
- Modeling and Analysis
- Drilling Rig- Major Factor in Drilling Optimization
- Rig Selection
- Rig Types
- Dual activity and Dual Derrick Rigs
- Rig Power Generation
- Data Acquisition and Monitoring System
- Wellpath Optimization
- Special profiles
- Minimum Energy Method
- Length Optimization
- Number of Wells
- Friction Factor
- Influence of bit and BHA on Wellpath
- Rig Limitations – Top Drive Torque, Hook Load and Rig Power
- Side Forces and Casing Wear
- Hand-on exercise
- Drilling Fluid Optimization
- Drilling Fluids Function
- Selection Criteria
- Consideration of Mud Program Optimization
- Effect of Mud on Drilling Rate
- Monitoring Weighted Nondispersed Muds
- Hydraulic Optimization
- Classical method
- Trip Speed Optimization
- Bit Hydraulics Optimization
- Design Optimization
- Nozzle Selection - Classical method
- Graphical method
- Optimization with split flows
- Optimization with Restricted sub
- Optimization with motor
- Flow rate optimization
- Well Control
- Cuttings Transport Optimization
- Hole Size, BHA and Drillstring Size
- Hydraulics Optimization with Managed Pressure Drilling Techniques
- Hands-on exercise
- Conventional Managed Pressure Drilling Dual Gradient Drilling
- Riserless Mud Recovery
- Controlled Mud Level
- Drilling Parameters Optimization
- Specific Energy
- Power Graph Analysis
- WOB, N, ROP optimization
- Displacement and Force Optimization
- Hand-on exercise
- Shale Stabilization – Optimization
- Causes of Shale Problems
- Diagnosing Shale Problems
- Mud Design for Shale Stabilization
- Drilling Problems
- Tests
- Real-time Optimization
- Database, data storing and mining
- Real-time monitoring
- Real-time Optimization
- Friction Factor Calibration
- Wellbore Problems Detection with Real-time
- Data Influx
- Stuck Pipe
- Hands-on exercise
- Wellbore Stability
- Vibration
- Inadequate Hole Cleaning
- Well Cost Optimization
- Neural network
- Support Vector Machine
- Casing Cost Optimization
- Hands-on exercise
- Wellbore Size Optimization
- Lean Profile
- Under-Reaming
- Influence of Casing Program
- Flat Time Optimization
- Jetted Conductor Soaking Time
- Casing Running
- Pressure Test (Positive and In-Flow Tests)
- Connection Time
- Breaking Circulation
- Formation Integrity Test (FIT), Leak Off Tests (LOT) and Extended Leak Off Tests (XLOT)
- Cement Plugs Setting
- Hands-on exercise
Who Should Attend and Prerequisites
This course is designed for drilling engineers, well operations personnel, rig supervisors, drilling supervisors and designers, and manufacturers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of drilling optimization and its applications in drilling operations.
Instructors
Robello Samuel
Background
With 41 years of experience, he currently serves as a Senior Technology Fellow in Halliburton’s Drilling Division, where he leads research and engineering in well engineering, cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Since 1998, he has advanced drilling technology, leveraging a multi-disciplinary background that includes operations, consulting, software development, and education. Prior to Halliburton, he worked for nine years as a field and drilling engineer at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, significantly contributing to domestic and international oil and gas drilling and completion operations.
He is recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to drilling technologies and engineering practices, having received multiple prestigious awards, including the Gulf Coast SPE Drilling Engineering Award, the SPE International Drilling Engineering Award, the SPE Distinguished Membership Award, and the SPE Honorary Award—one of the highest honors presented by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), limited to only 0.1% of the organization’s membership. An educator for over two decades, he is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston and the University of Southern California, and has published more than 264 technical papers while holding 114 U.S. patents.
As a Commissioner for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and a representative on the SPE Research and Development Advisory Board, his influence extends beyond academia. He has authored fifteen books on drilling engineering, blending extensive industry experience with academic rigor. His unique combination of practical field experience, research expertise, and educational leadership allows him to profoundly impact the industry, driving innovation and sustainable practices in drilling engineering.
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Tulsa - Petroleum Engineering
MSc University of Tulsa - Petroleum Engineering
MSc College of Engineering Guindy - Mechanical Engineering
BSc University of Madurai - Mechanical Engineering
Courses Taught
N738: Applied Drilling Engineering Optimization
N739: Horizontal Drilling & Extended Reach Drilling
N740: Introduction to HPHT Well Design
N741: Principles of Mud Motor
N742: Directional Drilling
N743: Drillstring Design Practices
N744: Well Engineering: Torque and Drag and Hydraulics
Accreditation and Certification
CEU: 1.4 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 14 Professional Development Hours
Certificate: Certificate Issued Upon Completion
RPS is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. We comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognised internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices.
We issue a Certificate of Attendance which verifies the number of training hours attended. Our courses are generally accepted by most professional licensing boards/associations towards continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board to determine if the courses and certificate of attendance meet their specific criteria.