Lesson 1Rig mobilisation and set-up: levelling, anchoring, mast erection, anchoring of compressors and pumpsThis section details safe rig mobilisation, site spotting, levelling, and anchoring, mast raising and lowering procedures, and correct positioning and securing of compressors, pumps, fuel, and control lines to ensure stable and efficient drilling operations.
Route planning and rig transport logisticsSelecting and marking final rig locationRig leveling, cribbing, and stability checksMast erection, pinning, and guying proceduresAnchoring compressors, pumps, and fuel skidsLesson 2Progressive drilling through strata: changing bits, adjusting rotation/ROP, mud vs air parameters, and managing lost circulationThis section explains how to advance boreholes through varied strata, select and change bits, control rotation speed and weight on bit, adjust mud or air parameters, and diagnose and treat lost circulation while protecting the formation.
Bit types for unconsolidated and hard formationsSetting rotation speed and weight on bit limitsOptimizing rate of penetration without deviationMud properties for hole cleaning and stabilityLost circulation detection and remedial actionsLesson 3Initial drilling sequence: spudding, pilot hole drilling, bit selection, rotation speed and weight on bit guidanceThis section outlines the initial drilling sequence from spudding and pilot hole drilling through bit selection, establishing rotation speed and weight on bit, and monitoring early returns to confirm alignment, stability, and safe operating parameters.
Spudding methods for different drilling systemsPilot hole diameter and trajectory planningBit selection for pilot and enlargement passesSetting initial RPM and weight on bit rangesMonitoring returns and adjusting early parametersLesson 4Gravel packing and annular sealing: gravel pack design, placement methods, and top-of-casing grout proceduresThis section covers gravel pack design, sizing and gradation, placement methods for different drilling fluids, tremie and shrouded placement techniques, annular sealing with bentonite or cement grout, and top-of-casing sealing and verification.
Selecting gravel size and gradation criteriaGravel pack volume calculations and orderingTremie placement and circulation techniquesBentonite and cement grout mix designTop-of-casing grout placement and verificationLesson 5Casing and screen installation: setting depth, centralisers, jointing methods, sealed couplings and surface casing concernsThis section explains how to select casing and screen intervals, determine setting depth, use centralisers, apply jointing and coupling methods, manage surface casing, and verify plumbness and alignment to ensure durable, efficient well construction.
Selecting casing and screen materials and gradesDetermining screen length and setting depthCentralizer spacing and installation methodsThreaded joints, welding, and sealed couplingsSurface casing design and regulatory concernsLesson 6Wellhead completion: surface seals, sanitary well caps, protective slotted risers and securing the siteThis section describes construction of sanitary wellheads, including surface seals, surface casing stick-up, grout pads, sanitary caps, protective risers or bollards, and site security measures that protect the well from contamination and physical damage.
Surface casing stick-up and cutoff criteriaDesigning and pouring sanitary grout padsInstalling sanitary well caps and ventsProtective risers, posts, and lockable enclosuresSite fencing, signage, and access controlLesson 7Site reconnaissance and preparation: access, clearing, grading, erosion control and utility locatingThis section covers pre-drilling reconnaissance, access assessment, vegetation clearing, grading and drainage planning, erosion and sediment controls, and locating and marking underground and overhead utilities to prevent damage and ensure safe operations.
Access assessment for heavy drilling equipmentClearing vegetation and debris within pad limitsGrading for drainage and rig pad stabilityErosion and sediment control best practicesUtility locating, marking, and permit checksLesson 8Safety checks and pre-start inspections: rig inspection, PPE, lifting gear, emergency plan and toolbox talksThis section focuses on pre-start safety, including rig structural inspection, verification of guards and controls, PPE requirements, lifting gear checks, emergency response planning, communication protocols, and conducting effective toolbox talks with the crew.
Daily rig walk-around and structural checksVerifying guards, interlocks, and controlsPPE selection, inspection, and enforcementInspection and tagging of lifting equipmentEmergency plan review and toolbox talk stepsLesson 9Recognising aquifer entry: interpreting cuttings, surge of water returns, change in penetration rate and water showsThis section teaches how to recognise aquifer entry by interpreting cuttings, monitoring penetration rate changes, observing water shows and return surges, correlating with logs, and deciding when to stop drilling and begin well completion activities.
Cuttings logging and lithologic descriptionTracking penetration rate and torque changesIdentifying water shows and return surgesCorrelating with geophysical and nearby wellsDeciding total depth and transition to completion
