Competency Matrix for Drilling Engineering
No. |
Task |
Minimum Competence
|
Minimum Competence
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Well control | Calculate mud weight necessary to maintain well control and volume of mud required to fill the hole while tripping out. Explain the main methods for shutting in and securing a well. Identify the main kick/influx indicators and warning signs. | Layout and/or implement procedure to successfully circulate out an influx. Determine fluid type of influx with data collected after influx. Outline relationship between geologic depth reference and drilling depth reference. Explain the different methods to circulate out an influx, along with the advantages/disadvantages of each of these types of procedures: Driller's, Wait and Weight, Static volumetric and stripping, Circulating volumetric. |
| 2 | Casing sizes and setting depths | Design a casing program based on a provided pore pressure/frac gradient plot. Classify relationship between desired production flow rates and tubing/casing configuration. Identify the basic objectives of wellhead, casing and liner equipment and associated equipment used. Summarize the different types of formation integrity tests (Limit test, Leak-off test, Extended LOT) and their applications. | Calculate the surface casing setting depth required to protect freshwater aquifers. Construct a pore pressure and frac pressure versus depth plot. Design a Formation Integrity Test (FIT). Correctly interpret FIT plot results. |
| 3 | Casing design | Summarize basic design principles for burst, collapse, and tensile loads in the pressure/temperature environment that the casing will encounter over its lifetime. | Design surface, intermediate and production casing/liners to maintain lifetime well integrity. |
| 4 | Regulatory compliance | List requirement to protect fresh water with surface casing setting depth/cement and requirements on directional programs to stay within lease/block boundaries. | Explain the process required to comply with regulatory requirements (for example, design an abandonment procedure to isolate zones per regulation or that may cross flow, know what regulatory applications to prepare, and how to verify compliance). Contribute to a compilation/review of industry standards or regulations. |
| 5 | Drilling Fluids | Calculate the minimum mud weight required to balance formation pressure for each hole interval. Define the main types of drilling fluids. Describe the main functions of drilling fluid. List the key properties of drilling fluid (density, YP, PV, etc.) as well as read and interpret a mud report. Describe lost circulation types and LCM usage. | Design and select a drilling fluid program to maintain well control considering casing programs as well as formation integrity and damage. Specify mud properties (e.g., density and fluid loss requirements). Design the program to include provision for mitigation of wellbore instability including lost circulation. |
| 6 | Directional drilling | List the reasons for directional drilling. Describe the relationship between directional complexity and tortuosity and lateral displacement. Identify the basic objectives and elements of a directional program and types of directional and survey equipment used as well as the inherit errors and uncertainty. | Design and select appropriate kickoff points, build rates, required hole angles and bottom hole assemblies. |
| 7 | Equipment Selection | Identify the basic objectives and elements of the drill string, the key types of supplier(s), and the equipment used. Recommend wellhead/BOP ratings to maintain well integrity. Identify and discuss the performance properties of drill string and BHA components. | Determine BOP stack arrangements and establish test requirements. Calculate ton miles to slip and cut drill line. Calculate slip crushing forces on a landing string. Define main components of a drillstring and equipment used for make-up and tripping. Select optimum bit and operational performance criteria (WOB, RPM, flowrate, etc.) Analyze a dull bit and grade. |
| 8 | Formation evaluation | Explain hole considerations for successful open hole logging. Explain the value of information gathered from formation evaluation programs. Distinguish between considerations for wireline logging versus LWD. | Explain interaction between mud composition, hole integrity and types of logs that can be run successfully. |
| 9 | Hydraulics, cuttings transport, surge and swab | Describe the basic principles of fluid mechanics and non-Newtonian fluids. Identify the basic objectives and elements of a rig’s hydraulic system. Identify surge, swab, hydrostatic and dynamic pressures. Understand principles of equivalent circulating density. | Calculate pressure drop through the system and optimize bit hydraulics. Identify parameters of fluid properties and hydraulics necessary to transport cuttings to the surface. Demonstrate ability to run software to optimize bit hydraulics and hole cleaning. |
| 10 | Solids control | Explain operations of typical basic solids control equipment and processes. | Determine the size and usage of standard solids control equipment (shaker, desander, and desilter) for mud and hydraulics programs. |
| 11 | Cementing | List the regulatory requirements (fresh water protection, zone isolation, etc.) for your area. Explain application of basic cement and their additives. Describe and specify appropriate casing accessories (float collar, float shoe, types of centralizers). Design a centralization program. Calculate the required cement, spacer, flush, and displacement volumes for a given wellbore. Determine the plug bumping pressure. | Design cement slurries and procedures with sufficient pump time and other characteristics to successfully complete a job. Define application of specialty cement additives. Calculate cement volumes and compare with cementing company recommendations. Design cement plugs for well suspension/plug and abandonment/openhole sidetracking. |
| 12 | Stuck pipe/fishing operations | Explain drill pipe sticking mechanism categories and key identification points for each category. Explain main sticking mechanisms (pack-off, geometric, differential). Identify main components of fishing bottomhole assemblies for drill string and wireline. Describe how jars/accelerators are operated. | Design torque and drag charts (road maps) for hookload and downhole torque monitoring. Design a torque and drag road map for a production section in a) vertical, and b) deviated wellbore. Draft a fishing program to retrieve stuck drill string in well. Describe of the equipment, procedures, and personnel requirements for fishing operations. |
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