This course pursues content in regard to the basics of a well, various considerations for drilling a well, specifically for oil and gas production, how to mitigate risks associated with drilling a well and resource extraction, as well as different well control procedures. This course also entails a design challenge to familiarize students with different assessment methods that are completed prior to drilling a well, such as pressure readings within the wellbore and the underlying formation, where the well is drilled into for hydrocarbon extraction. Additionally, the course includes a case study on the notorious Deepwater Horizon blowout, that occurred within the Macondo Prospect, offshore Gulf of Mexico, in 2010.
The considerations for oil and gas exploration and drilling a successful well include fundamentals in both geology and engineering. In order to drill for hydrocarbon extraction, geologic components must be present that entail all elements to a petroleum system. Engineering components must also be assessed to properly construct a well that will not be prone to leaks and contamination.
During drilling operations and throughout production, well control procedures may be instituted in the event of present risks, such as a leak in the well casing, or hazards of a blowout. There are three tiers of well control; primary, secondary, and tertiary. These procedures are implemented in order, based on the associated risks. Students will also become familiar with containment risk methods, such as the Swiss Cheese Model of Accident and Causation, utilized to prevent barriers for mitigating potential hazards.
Other lessons within the course address the various components that go into constructing a well such as mud and casing, serving as prerequisite information for the design challenge that students will have an opportunity to complete. Throughout the course, examples of well failure events are used to illuminate scenarios where control procedures have been used, helping the students to understand the importance of best practices and safety. A case study on the Macondo Prospect is included, that takes a deep dive into the blowout that occurred on the Deepwater Horizon in April of 2010 after a series of faulty test readings and failed control procedures. To begin this course, click on the lesson “What is a Well?” Lessons and topics (that can be shown by clicking on the expand button to the right of each listed lesson below) will then go in order for students to complete.