PETROLEUM ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION

(RESEARCH INTERNSHIP)

Course Content Details

Concept of Well Engineering: Understand better about well design and the
engineering concepts associated in the process. To differentiate between product
design & well design. Design criteria and other considerations in performing well
design and planning.
➢ Objectives: Clear knowledge in selecting the required objectives
for drilling a well, considering all the current and future
requirements.
➢ Preliminary design: This is to develop the basic well structure /
configurations and to get a concurrence from all the teams involved
in the program.
➢ Basis of Design: This becomes the design basis for the well, which
considers all the data available and applying the engineering
concepts to arrive at an acceptable firm design.
➢ Well Design: The detailed engineering check done for an individual
well involving all the participants in the program.

o Casing design – The well structure as agreed, will be checked for

various load conditions, selecting the casing seats considering
the formation depths.
o Mud design – The formation parameters are evaluated and a
selection of the right mud system which will enable to achieve
the well objectives. This is done is association with the mud
engineering service company.
o Drill string design / Bit selection – To achieve good economics,
the BHA design and the bit selection play a crucial role in
maximizing the ROP.
o Cementing design – The casings run, are supported by the
cement, which bonds with the cement and formation. The
strength requirement to achieve this, the placement methods and
selection of accessories are done in association with the
cementing services company.
o Formation evaluation – Depending on the type of well the
evaluation requirements are considered to get the formation data,
which is a primary objective. The evaluation requirements are
often given by the G&G department.
o Testing – The zones of interest are subjected to various test to
rigorously evaluate the capability of the sands to produce
hydrocarbons. Further to this the reservoir production models are
developed.
o Completion – A well fit for putting into production is to be
installed with equipment, for effectively bringing the
hydrocarbons to the surface. The design is done based on the
various evaluated factors and considering the future production
options.
o Well control – While drilling there is always a certain amount of
uncertainty and mistakes, which are overlooked causing pressure
problems in the wellbore. This will stop the drilling process till
the risk is completely removed.
 o Production – On completing the well, which is ready for
producing hydrocarbons is handed over to the production
department. Since the well is maintained by the production
department for a longer duration, the inputs from them are very
carefully considered in the design.
o Operational considerations – Though the design is done nicely,
the operational considerations are crucial as the suitability to all
the service contractors is to be checked. The interfaces between
the various service companies are to be included in the design
process to avoid NPT.
o Deepwater / HPHT – These are special conditions where the
environment is very hostile and operating conditions are to be
evaluated to ensure proper safety. The cost becomes extremely
high due to these parameters.
o Technologies – In the recent times, the technological
development in the O&G industry is increasing to a greater
extent and so the use of the newer technologies improves the
safety / efficiency. So, the new technologies are to be considered
in the design.
➢ Operations support – While the operations are on, the well engineering
team monitors the progress and offers constant support to the operations
team for improvement / operational problems with rest to the design
done.
➢ Well handover – The well which is drilled successfully to the target
depth is handed over to the Petroleum Engineering team for running
completions.
➢ Workover needs – The design should always consider workover and
reentry needs, which can possibly occur in the life of the well. A few
equipment are included in the well design to assist this.
Pre-requisites: The below concepts form the basics in well engineering and a clear
understanding is required to effectively grasp the well design.
1. Various pressure concepts, density, forces (Tensile and Compression),
2. U-tube Principles
3. Basic rig systems and rig equipment
4. Pore pressure, fracture pressure, pressure gradients etc.