Rock Mechanics and Borehole Stability

Start Date End Date Venue Fees (US $)
10 May 2026 Riyadh, KSA $ 3,900 Register
16 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE $ 3,900 Register
13 Dec 2026 Istanbul, Turkey $ 4,500 Register

Rock Mechanics and Borehole Stability

Introduction

This course will present the principles behind stability calculations, pore pressure control, and casing program choices. The choice of drilling fluids for drilling in various environments is addressed, based on the chemistry and condition of the shales. The course will provide guidelines on reducing drilling problems in high stress and high pore pressure environments.

 

Objectives

     Also, in this course, we will discuss the essentials of geopressure compartmentalization in relation to pore pressure development with depth. The basic geological building blocks are used as the foundation for pore pressure predictions. The course discusses concepts, models, measurements, predictions and their implications in relation to different geological settings. Moreover, it covers the process of QC input-output data, calibrating pore and fracture pressures and establishing prediction models before and during drilling. Pre-drilling risk assessment and post-drilling appraisal methods will be illustrated and discussed. The distribution of geological basins, worldwide, and their impact on geopressure profiles and hydrocarbon entrapment are also discussed in case history forms

Training Methodology

The training methodology is interactive with group exercises and is suitable for all employees involved in functions management. The pace and level of the training workshop is customized to the understanding of the delegates. Ongoing back-up and support is available after the training on request to the supplier, and the training course is also available for in-house presentation as well as for “Competency Transfer”.

Who Should Attend?

Operator: drilling manager, drilling superintendent, drilling engineers, drilling supervisors and other interested disciplines, Drilling contractor and service company personnel

Course Outline

  • Introduction
  • Stresses and Pressures in the Earth: Tectonics, Gravity, Diagenesis
  • Stresses Around a Borehole I: Calculations and Models
  • Stresses Around a Borehole II: Hole Stability
  • Mechanical Properties of Rocks
  • Estimating and Measuring “In Situ” Stresses
  • Drilling in Overpressured Regimes
  • Drilling Depleted Zones, Underbalanced Drilling
  • Shale Drilling and Rock Mechanics
  • Mud Programs for Shale Drilling
  • Borehole Stability and Casing Programs in Salt Drilling
  • Other Rock Mechanics Issues in Drilling Activities
  • Waste Disposal and Environmental Factors in Drilling
  • Geopressure Definitions, Causes And Concepts
  • Graphical Representations (PSI and PPG MWE) and Their Potential Pitfalls
  • Pore Pressure Before Drilling, Prediction with Emphasis on Effective Stress
  • Calibration and Analysis During Drilling
  • Compartmentalization, Seal Effectiveness and Retention Capacity
  • Supra and Sub Salt Geopressure Models and Their Applications
  • Faults and Their Rock Mechanics as Sealers VS. Leakers
  • AVG (Amplitude Versus Geopressure) Seismic Response
  • Strat-Geopressure Fairways and Their Mapping Methods
  • Rock Mechanics Of Borehole Stability and Their Application For Casing, Mud Programs, and Anticipated Drilling Challenges
  • Post Drilling Assessment of Success or Failure to Find Hydrocarbons
  • Global Case Histories and Their Implications

Accreditation

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