You will learn the philosophy, evolution, and fundamentals of international petroleum contracts and have an opportunity to see how each of these actually works. You will take part in life-like negotiating sessions mastering many negotiating techniques, where a mistake is a learning experience not a disaster. A viable contract cannot be negotiated without an effective understanding of the underlying economics. Negotiating strategies will determine contractual terms ultimately defining the economic benefits to be realized. Concessions and production sharing agreements are two of the contract types to be evaluated during this course. 

The course is geologically and technically focused but instructed in a manner so that all disciplines and experience levels will understand. Mining and on site production of bitumen from the Athabasca oil sand region is currently a major contributor to the world’s oil production. These technologies are reasonably recent commercial applications and the future levels of production faces uncertainty because of highly debated environmental challenges. The field course takes the student to the rock; explaining complex relationships and issues emanating from the depositional and structural framework.

This course builds a firm foundation in the principles and practices of directional drilling, calculations, and planning for directional and horizontal wells. Specific problems associated with directional/horizontal drilling such as torque, drag, hole cleaning, logging and drill string component design are included. Participants will receive instruction on planning and evaluating horizontal wells based on the objectives of the horizontal well. The basic applications and techniques for multi-lateral wells are covered in the course. Additionally, they will become familiar with the tools and techniques used in directional drilling such as survey instruments, bottomhole assemblies, motors, steerable motors and steerable rotary systems. Participants will be able to predict wellbore path based on historical data and determine the requirements to hit the target. During this course participants will learn about: Cementing, Applications for directional drilling, Directional profiles, Extended reach wells, Survey calculations and accuracy, Dogleg severity calculations and problems associated with doglegs, Planning directional and horizontal wells, Horizontal drilling methods and applications, Logging high angle wells, Hole-cleaning, Multi-laterals, Types of survey instruments, Tools used to deflect a wellbore, Torque and drag calculations.

Risk-Based Methodologies enable the assessment of the likelihood and potential consequences of equipment failures. RBI (Risk-Based Inspection) provides companies the opportunity to prioritize their equipment for inspection; optimize inspection methods, frequencies and resources and develop specific equipment inspection plans. This results in improved safety, lower failure risk, fewer forced shutdowns, and reduced operational costs.

This course develops strategies for completing horizontal wells. It covers both cased-hole and open-hole configurations, either with or without sand control. Participants will learn the applications and dynamics of horizontal wells, including drill-in fluids, hole displacement, cementing, perforating, and stimulation. They will also learn the guidelines for selecting stand-alone screens and executing horizontal gravel packs. During this course participants will learn about: Completion options, Cased-hole horizontal completions, Perforating and stimulating horizontal wells, Open-hole horizontal completions, Drill-in fluids, Zonal isolation and inflow control, Displacing the drill-in fluid.