The Practical Drilling Technology (PDT) course is a five-day classroom-based programme developed and delivered by Well Academy.
Designed for oilfield personnel who are new to drilling operations or looking to consolidate their technical knowledge, the PDT builds a solid foundation across the full scope of drilling, from pressure fundamentals and fluid management through to well control methods.
Delivered through lectures, videos, workshops, homework assignments and group discussion, participants gain the knowledge and situational awareness needed to competently perform their duties on the rig. The course concludes with a final written examination to validate learning outcomes.
Throughout the course, attendees will gain or further develop the ability to:
- Apply pressure fundamentals and rig mathematics to drilling operations
- Manage drilling fluids, drill string design and circulating systems
- Identify and mitigate key tripping hazards and top-hole risks
- Detect abnormal pressure and evaluate wellbore integrity
- Recognise kicks and apply appropriate well control methods
Who is this course for?
The PDT is intended for oilfield personnel who are new to, or seeking to consolidate their understanding of, drilling operations. It is particularly suited to:
- Drillers and assistant drillers looking to formalise their operational knowledge
- Tool pushers and drilling foremen who want to strengthen their technical foundation
- Drilling engineers and company representatives seeking a practical understanding of rig-floor and downhole operations
- Personnel transitioning into a drilling-related role from adjacent disciplines
No formal academic pre-requisites are required, though some prior exposure to rig operations is beneficial. Participants are expected to complete daily homework assignments as part of the learning process.
Course structure
The PDT curriculum is structured progressively over five days, with each day building on the last:
Day 1 – Foundations
Communication and drilling problem diagnosis; hole trend monitoring; rig mathematics; pressure basics including overburden, hydrostatic, pore and abnormal pressure; land and subsea rig components; drill bit types, selection and dull grading.
Day 2 – Fluids, Drill String and Circulation
Drilling fluid fundamentals including mud functions, weight, viscosity and solids management; wellhead installation; drill string design and BHA components; circulating system layout; hydraulics, pump pressure and flow rate.
Day 3 – Tripping and Top-Hole Operations
The five major tripping hazards and mitigation strategies; mechanical, hole, mud and slugging considerations; slug planning and trip monitoring; lost circulation in top-hole formations; shallow gas recognition and diverting procedures.
Day 4 – Formation Evaluation and Wellbore Integrity
Drill out considerations and casing testing; leak-off and formation integrity tests; causes of abnormal pressure; geopressure detection; casing and cementing principles; stuck pipe mechanisms; hydrogen sulphide hazards.
Day 5 – Well Control and Final Assessment
Kick recognition and warning signs; well control methods including Driller's Method, Wait and Weight and the Volumetric Method; casing shoe pressure case study; Q&A; final written examination.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course and final examination, participants receive a Well Academy Practical Drilling Technology certificate of attendance.
Course duration
Five days.
Contact our team to find out more: info@wellacademy.com.
