Course Description

Lost circulation and ineffective solids control are among the most significant challenges affecting drilling performance, well integrity, and operational costs. This five-day course provides a practical and technical approach to understanding the mechanisms of fluid loss, wellbore strengthening techniques, and the selection and application of lost circulation materials (LCM) for various drilling conditions.

The course also covers the principles and operation of solids control equipment, including shale shakers, hydrocyclones, degassers, mud cleaners, centrifuges, barite recovery systems, and drilling waste management technologies. Participants will gain a solid understanding of solids analysis, equipment evaluation, screen selection, and best practices for maintaining drilling fluid quality and maximizing equipment efficiency.

Through real-world examples and field-proven methodologies, attendees will develop the knowledge and practical skills required to diagnose drilling fluid losses, implement appropriate corrective actions, optimize solids control systems, and improve overall drilling performance while reducing environmental impact and operational expenses.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Understand the causes, mechanisms, and operational impact of lost circulation during drilling operations.

Select and apply appropriate lost circulation materials (LCM) and treatment methods for different loss scenarios.

Evaluate wellbore strengthening techniques and drilling practices to minimize fluid losses.

Analyze drilled solids and assess their effects on drilling fluid properties and overall drilling performance.

Operate and optimize solids control equipment, including shale shakers, hydrocyclones, degassers, mud cleaners, and centrifuges.

Apply best practices in drilling waste management and solids control to improve operational efficiency and reduce non-productive time (NPT).

Audience

Drilling Engineers

Reservoir Engineers

Operations Supervisors

Petroleum Technicians

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites are required. Relevant education or industry experience is beneficial.

Course Content

Lost of circulation and well economics

Causes of lost of circulation

Consequences of lost of circulation

Wellbore stability & Lost of circulation

Well design to reduce the change of lost of circulation

Types of well losses ( seepage, severe, complete) and how to deal with them

Types of Lost of circulation materials

Grades of lost of circulation materials

Types Bridging materials

Particle size distribution (PSD)

Wellbore strengthing

Mud cap drilling

MPD and pressurized mud cap drilling for total losses.

Curing losses with different LCM pill

Curing losses by cement plugs

Curing losses with junk squeeze

New technology for curing losses ( Form “A” plug, barite plug)

Nano-particles and smart fluids to cure losses.

Introduction to solid control equipment

Effect of solids on mud

Solids analysis ( LGS, HGS)

Methods of reducing solids ( Dilution, displacement, settling, chemicals)

Shale shaker & screen engineering

API for shaker screens

Evaluation of shaker operation

Degasser mechanism to separate gas.

Degasser installation

Evaluation of vaccum degasser

Hydrocyclone types ( Desander & desilter)

Operation of Hydrocyclone to separate sand, silt

Evaluation of Hydrocyclone

Mud cleaner operation

Centrifuge operation

Barite recovery system using dual centrifuge

Waste management systems

Cutting dryers ( Hi-G dryer & VCD)

Rentention oil cutting (ROC)

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