Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) Specialist – Techniques & Equipment
Why Attend
Course Objectives
Target Audience
Course Methodology
Why Attend
- Learn the full spectrum of UBD methods, including gas, mist, foam, air drilling, and dual gradient applications.
- Gain hands-on understanding of specialized equipment such as rotating control devices (RCD), multiphase separators, compressors, choke manifolds, and nitrogen generation systems.
- Learn how to reduce formation damage, prevent differential sticking, and increase rate of penetration (ROP) using UBD best practices.
- Develop skills to manage the unique safety and well control risks associated with UBD, including influx handling and pressure balancing.
- Understand how UBD minimizes formation damage, preserving reservoir productivity
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the Principles and Benefits of UBD
- Explain the differences between Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) and conventional drilling or Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD).
- Identify the advantages of UBD, including minimized formation damage, improved reservoir contact, and enhanced production.
- Evaluate Reservoir Suitability and Select UBD Candidates
- Analyze well and formation conditions to determine UBD feasibility.
- Assess risks, limitations, and technical challenges associated with UBD.
- Apply UBD Techniques and Operational Methods
- Select appropriate UBD techniques (gas, foam, mist, aerated mud) for different well conditions.
- Understand multiphase flow behavior and its impact on drilling operations.
- Identify and Operate UBD Equipment Safely and Effectively
- Recognize the function and integration of UBD surface and downhole equipment, including Rotating Control Devices (RCDs), separators, compressors, and nitrogen units.
- Understand the design and configuration of BHAs and wellheads specific to UBD.
- Implement Safe UBD Operations and Manage Well Control
- Monitor and control downhole pressures and influxes during live well conditions.
- Apply UBD-specific well control principles and emergency procedures, especially in H₂S-prone environments.
- Plan, Execute, and Evaluate UBD Projects
- Develop a comprehensive UBD plan, including well design, risk assessment, and operational workflows.
- Monitor real-time performance data and evaluate post-drill results for continuous improvement.
Understand the economic impact and cost-benefit analysis of UBD compared to conventional methods.
Target Audience
- Underbalanced Drilling Specialists
- Drilling Engineers and Supervisors
- Well Site Managers
- Directional Drillers
- Reservoir Engineers
- Mud Engineers and Fluids Specialists working with UBD
- Completion Engineers
- Operations Managers
- Service Companies providing UBD technologies
Course Methodology
This interactive training course includes the following training methodologies as a percentage of total tuition hours :
- Lectures
- Workshops, work presentations ,
- Group Work in case study & Practical Exercises.
- Videos and general discussions
- Pre-Test and Post Test
Course Outline
Day - 1
Introduction to Underbalanced Drilling (UBD)
- Overview of UBD: Definition, Purpose, and Benefits
- Differences between UBD and Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)
- Applications of UBD in various reservoirs (carbonates, fractured, depleted zones)
- Formation damage mechanisms and how UBD prevents them
- Limitations and risks of UBD (well control, influx, H2S, data interpretation)
- UBD project screening and feasibility assessment
Case studies: UBD success and failure examples
Day - 2
UBD Techniques & Operational Methods
- UBD well design principles (wellbore architecture, casing programs, completions)
- UBD methods:
- Gas injection (N₂, air drilling, natural gas)
- Liquid injection (lightweight foams, mist, aerated mud)
- Dual gradient drilling
- Flow regimes and multiphase fluid behavior
- UBD flow modeling (steady state and transient)
- Candidate selection and well classification for UBD
Formation pressure windows and drawdown management
Day - 3
Surface and Downhole Equipment for UBD
- UBD system layout and flow process diagram
- Surface separation systems:
- Choke manifold
- Separator (three-phase)
- Flare systems and environmental considerations
- Rotating Control Devices (RCDs) – types and functions
- Gas injection systems (compressors, boosters, manifolds)
- Nitrogen and air units – operation and safety
- Bottomhole assemblies (BHA) for UBD
- Drill string design
- Measurement While Drilling (MWD) and PWD in UBD environment
Wellhead and pressure control equipment
Day - 4
UBD Operations, Safety, and Well Control
- UBD start-up and shut-down procedures
- Flow monitoring and return management
- Real-time pressure management and ECD optimization
- Kick detection and handling in UBD
- Well control concepts under underbalanced conditions
- Emergency shutdown systems (ESD), diverter systems
- Safety procedures and HAZID/HAZOP for UBD operations
- H₂S management and hazardous gas handling
- Simulated kick response scenarios in UBD operations
Day - 5
UBD Planning, Execution & Performance Optimization
- UBD feasibility study and planning process
- UBD-specific drilling program components
- Data acquisition and real-time diagnostics
- Reservoir characterization while drilling (flowback, cuttings analysis)
- Post-job analysis and performance metrics
- Common operational challenges and mitigation strategies
- UBD cost analysis and ROI justification