Directional, Horizontal and Multilateral Drilling

Introduction

This course builds a firm foundation in the principles and practices of directional drilling, calculations, and planning for directional and horizontal wells. Specific problems associated with directional/horizontal drilling such as torque, drag, hole cleaning, logging, and drill string component design are included. Participants will receive instruction on planning and evaluating horizontal wells based on the objectives of the horizontal well. The basic applications and techniques for multi-lateral wells are covered in the course. Additionally, they will become familiar with the tools and techniques used in directional drillings such as survey instruments, bottom hole assemblies, motors, steerable motors, and steerable rotary systems. Participants will be able to predict wellbore paths based on historical data and determine the requirements to hit the target.

Objectives

By the end of this course participants will learn how to:

• Make survey calculations
• Interpret TVD, polar and rectangular coordinates and vertical section
• Interpret dogleg severity and the problems associated with dogleg severity
• Plan a two-dimensional directional well
• Plan horizontal wells based on the objectives of the well
• Determine the best multi-lateral completion for an application
• Determine declination and non-magnetic drilling collar selection
• Apply the best survey instrument for the job
• Directionally drill with rotary BHAs, jetting, whipstocks, motor, steerable motors, and rotary steerable systems
• Drill horizontally underbalanced
• Interpret torque and drag and determine what factors will affect the torque and drag
• Determine cementing requirements for directional wells

Target Audience

• Drilling engineers
• Production engineers
• Operations engineers
• Field supervisors
• Toolpushers,
• Managers and technical support personnel

Drilling & Well Construction Outline

The course covers the following topics:

• Applications for directional drilling
• Directional profiles
• Extended reach wells
• Survey calculations and accuracy
• Dogleg severity calculations and problems associated with doglegs
• Planning directional and horizontal wells
• Horizontal drilling methods and applications
• Logging high angle wells
• Hole-cleaning
• Multi-laterals
• Types of survey instruments
• Tools used to deflect a wellbore
• Torque and drag calculations
• Cementing