Students in this course will learn about the application of deviated and multilateral wells, well planning and surveying, and methods and equipment used to monitor and maintain directional control. In doing so, students will gain a thorough understanding of the economic benefits and technical challenges associated with implementation of directional well technology.
Course covers: Applications of directional, horizontal and multilateral wells. Planning and executing the drilling of directional, horizontal and multilateral wells. Planning of well trajectory. Graphical and analytical representations of Build & Hold and Build, Hold & Drop. Planning of well paths with single and multiple targets. Surveying methods, tools and calculations (tangential method, balanced tangential method, average-angle method, radius of curvature method, minimum curvature method, and Akgun/Kuru method). Drilling tools and methods. Selection of appropriate bottom-hole assembly and optimisation - slick BHA, single-and multi-stabiliser BHAs. Steerable Rotary Systems Downhole mud motors. Drilling and drill string considerations.