Introduction

This course covers the unique challenges, technologies, and techniques involved in HPHT drilling, where extreme pressure and temperature conditions necessitate specialized equipment, materials, and operational strategies. Participants will learn how to manage risks, optimize well control, and ensure safety in HPHT environments.

Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of HPHT drilling and its unique challenges.
• Learn about specialized HPHT equipment, materials, and drilling fluids.
• Develop skills in well control, pressure management, and risk mitigation.
• Explore operational best practices for HPHT wells, including casing and cementing.
• Analyze future trends in HPHT drilling, including advanced technologies and automation.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Drilling engineers, project managers, and rig supervisors in HPHT operations.
• HSE officers and risk managers focused on well control in extreme conditions.
• Geologists and production engineers working in HPHT reservoirs.
• Recent graduates interested in advanced drilling technology and safety.

Course Outline

Day 1: Fundamentals of HPHT Drilling

• Introduction to HPHT Environments
  • Definition of HPHT conditions and their occurrence in global oil and gas fields
  • Differences between conventional and HPHT drilling challenges
• Well Design Considerations for HPHT
  • Overview of HPHT well design, load analysis, and integrity planning
  • Techniques for designing wells to withstand extreme pressures and temperatures
• HPHT Drilling Equipment and Material Selection
  • Specialized materials and equipment for HPHT conditions: tubing, casings, seals
  • Techniques for selecting materials that resist high-temperature corrosion and stress

Day 2: Pressure Management and Well Control

• Advanced Well Control Techniques
  • Techniques for managing wellbore pressures, including kick detection and blowout prevention
  • Understanding mud weight and its role in pressure management for HPHT wells
• Hydraulic Modeling and Pressure Calculations
  • Techniques for calculating wellbore pressures in HPHT environments
  • Using hydraulic models for optimizing circulation and pressure control
• Well Control Equipment for HPHT Wells
  • Overview of blowout preventers (BOPs), pressure control systems, and safety valves
  • Techniques for testing and maintaining well control equipment in HPHT conditions

Day 3: Drilling Fluids for HPHT Environments

• HPHT Drilling Fluid Properties and Requirements
  • Understanding fluid properties for HPHT conditions: viscosity, density, thermal stability
  • Techniques for selecting and formulating HPHT drilling fluids
• Thermal Stability and Fluid Loss Control
  • Role of additives and inhibitors for high-temperature stability and fluid loss control
  • Techniques for minimizing fluid degradation and maintaining stability under HPHT conditions
• Solids Control and Filtration in HPHT Drilling
  • Techniques for handling solids in HPHT drilling mud and maintaining filtration quality
  • Overview of solids control equipment and filtration systems for extreme conditions

Day 4: Casing, Cementing, and Completion in HPHT Wells

• Casing Design for HPHT Wells
  • Techniques for designing casing to withstand high pressures and temperatures
  • Load analysis and casing integrity checks specific to HPHT environments
• HPHT Cementing Techniques
  • Overview of cement formulations and techniques for high-pressure, high-temperature wells
  • Techniques for ensuring zonal isolation and cement stability in extreme conditions
• Completion Strategies for HPHT Wells
  • Overview of completion methods, packer selection, and tubing design
  • Techniques for ensuring well integrity and long-term stability in HPHT completions

Day 5: Case Studies and Future Trends in HPHT Drilling

• Case Studies in HPHT Drilling Success
  • Analysis of successful HPHT drilling projects and lessons learned
  • Reviewing challenges, solutions, and innovations from industry examples
• Innovations and Technologies in HPHT Drilling
  • Trends in automation, AI, and real-time monitoring in HPHT drilling
  • Exploring advancements in HPHT materials, equipment, and data analytics
• Final Project: HPHT Well Design and Risk Management Plan
  • Participants develop a well design and risk management plan for a hypothetical HPHT well, covering pressure control, drilling fluids, casing, and cementing
• Preparing for Future Challenges in HPHT Drilling
  • Techniques for adapting to new technologies, regulatory requirements, and safety standards
  • Role of continuous innovation and training in HPHT drilling success