The course covers both the theory and practical applications of drilling fluids and well cementing technology. The main topics include: the functions, composition and additives of drilling fluids; clay and polymer chemistry and applications in drilling fluids; drilling fluid density determination and calculations; drilling fluid filtration and mud caking process; API drilling fluid properties, equipment and testing procedures; chemical analysis; drilling fluid system design for control formation damage and wellbore stability; drilling fluid hydraulics and cuttings transportation; cement manufacture, composition and standardization; cement additives; cement slurry rheology properties; API cementing testing equipment and procedures; cement slurry design and calculations; mud removal by cement; gas migration; cementing equipment and procedures; post-job considerations and evaluation; drilling fluids and cementing laboratory and research project.

Special project: Mud program and cuttings transportation in deviated wells. As part of the project, students are required to carry out a literature survey on latest development in mud program and cuttings transportation in deviated wells; carry out a case study by designing a mud program, drilling hydraulics optimization and cuttings transportation in a deviated well.