Drilling engineering is a subset of petroleum engineering. It is primarily involved in the design and drilling of production and injection wells. The drilling engineer has the responsibility for the efficient penetration of the earth by a well bore, and for cementing of the steel casing from the surface to a depth usually just about the target reservoir
The planning phases involved in drilling an oil well typically involve estimating the value of sought reserves, estimating the costs to access reserves, acquiring property by a mineral lease, a geological survey, a well bore plan, and a layout of the type of equipment required to reach the depth of the well. Drilling engineers in charge of the process of planning and drilling oil wells. Their responsibilities include:
1. Designing casing strings in conjunction with drilling fluid plans to prevent blowouts (uncontrolled well-fluid release) and Formation evaluation.
2. Designing or contributing to the design of casing (drill string), cementing plans, directional drilling plans, and drill bit programs.
3. Specifying equipment, material and ratings and grades to be used in the drilling process.
4. Providing technical support and audit during the drilling process.
5. Performing cost estimates and analysis.
6. Developing contracts with vendors.
Drilling engineers are often degreed as petroleum engineers, although they may come from other technical disciplines (i.e., mechanical engineer or petroleum geologist) and subsequently be trained by an oil and gas company. They also may have practical experience as a rig hand or mudlogger or mud engineer.
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