Successful Energy Practices International, LLC
316 Fossil Hills Loop
Spring Branch, Texas 78070
713-725-5470
d.pritchard@successful-energy.com
Drilling Hazards Management
Practical Strategies and Solutions
Course Format
The 5 day course is delivered in a hands-on workshop format with interspersed lectures and
discussions. We use actual failed-well examples and literally "drill-down", building on Drilling
Hazards Management and mitigation solutions. The course also includes examples on the use
and value of Real Time Data in managing hazards and drilling optimization. Students will work
in teams to perform workshop exercises and are encouraged to bring actual problems they are
involved with into the class and discussion.
Course Instructors
The course is led by David Pritchard. David has over 45 years in the global E&P business.
David has consulted for an array of national and international independents, major companies
and service providers. David was selected to chair the Technical Subcommittee for the
Presidential Commission of the Deepwater Horizon Study Group. He was also selected as
Expert Witness for the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee for the Macondo Deepwater Horizon
Catastrophe: Well planning, design and execution.
David is assisted by Jesse Roye, Principal of Digital Oilfield Solutions. Jesse has over 35 years
in the global E&P business and is an industry thought leader in Digital Oilfield and Real Time
Operations, including Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) strategy, design and operation.
Background
The course is designed to improve awareness, understanding and management of drilling
hazards and uncertainties, most notably:
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Shallow hazards
Fluid loss
Stuck pipe
“Ballooning”
Rock mechanics
Flat time and Simultaneous Operations
The course delivers the knowledge of best practices, well “listening”, or “fingerprinting”
techniques and enabling technologies to help ensure wellbore stability by mitigating and
managing drilling hazards. Managing hazards is the precursor and fundamental to drilling
optimization.
©Successful Energy Practices International, LLC 2010, 2011, 2012
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Successful Energy Practices International, LLC
316 Fossil Hills Loop
Spring Branch, Texas 78070
713-725-5470
d.pritchard@successful-energy.com
Personnel will solidify their ability to recognize pending hazards indicators that forecast
problems and more importantly make the correct proactive decisions based on the totality of
dynamic drilling conditions. The course also highlights the well planning process as a precursor
necessary for successful well execution. Risk assessing hazards, engaging mitigation
techniques, best practices and technologies to manage drilling hazards is fundamental to the
course.
The goal is to provide the knowledge and skills combined with practical exercises to manage the
drilling operations efficiently, trouble free and/or minimize the impact of unforeseen situations.
Quick summary of our workshop content
Understanding the hazards of uncertainties of the pore pressure and fracture gradient window
with practical exercises (fracture strength, gradient, Equivalent Circulating Density, “ECD”, etc);
identify data anomalies of narrow margin drilling and their impact on well plans and
contingencies; hazards avoidance, mitigation and the risks associated with operations: HPHT
and Deepwater operations, The course also focuses on predictions (Initial and real time), the
inherent weaknesses of predictions, planning and managing around the predicted uncertainties
during well construction.
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of the workshop the participants should:
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Learn the best practices of well planning, drilling and completion in any narrow margin
environment (Land, shelf, deepwater)
Understand hazards recognition, avoidance and mitigation techniques
Develop an understanding of the principles of narrow margin drilling hazards as they
relate to the uncertainties of pore pressure and fracture gradient predictions
Understand the weakness of predictions, and the importance of real time calibrations
Understand the use and value of Real Time Data in managing hazards and drilling
optimization for both rotating and static, or “flat-time” operations.
Understand the best practices and mitigating technologies and best practices to employ
to manage the drilling hazards.
Understand the meaning and concept of “BAST”: Best Available and Safest
Technologies” especially in relation to Process Safety.
Understand the importance of uncertainties in drilling and managing ancillary risks and
consequences.
Understanding the importance of optimum casing seats in managing drilling hazards.
Identify the challenges and advantages associated with using Managed Pressure Drilling
(MPD, UBD) in narrow margin drilling projects (mature fields, HPHT, deepwater)
©Successful Energy Practices International, LLC 2010, 2011, 2012
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Successful Energy Practices International, LLC
316 Fossil Hills Loop
Spring Branch, Texas 78070
713-725-5470
d.pritchard@successful-energy.com
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Understand the hazards mitigating advantages of key enabling technologies such as
drilling with casing and expandable cased systems.
Develop better well designs for drilling and completion for any wellbore configuration:
The Optimum Well.
Who should attend?
The course is designed for the following personnel:
 Drilling Engineers (Operations and Planning, Minimum 5 years Experience)
 Drill Site personnel and/or supervisors.
 Product Service Line personnel involved directly in drilling planning and execution
 Other personnel involved in well planning and execution such as reservoir engineers and
geologists.
Participants should be technically competent in engineering, drilling fundamentals, familiar with
the geosciences, basic well planning and rig operations.
©Successful Energy Practices International, LLC 2010, 2011, 2012
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