Murchison Guide
Murchison Guide
Murchison Guide
Murchison 41
Drilling
Schools Years
Drilling Operations & Well Control Training
www.murchisondrillingschools.com
Letter from the President
On behalf of Murchison Drilling Schools, Inc. (MDS), I want to thank
you for your interest in an in-house course for your company. We
appreciate the opportunity to train your personnel, and we take this
responsibility very seriously. MDS is committed to providing quality
training for our industry. We specialize in operational drilling technology
and in well control training. We have been an industry leader in training
for over thirty-eight years.
Our approach in training has been simple, but very effective. We start
with an excellent teaching staff. Our lead instructors all have excellent
field experience in world-wide drilling operations, and have received
training from MDS. They have also been certified as instructors with the
International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) and with the
International Well Control Forum (IWCF).
Second, our classes focus on training and competency rather than just certification. The classroom
lectures and workshops are followed by homework exercises to reinforce the principles that have already
been taught. The homework is reviewed each day so that students have an opportunity to learn and gain
understanding from the problems that they have missed.
Third, in our courses that offer well control certification, there is extensive simulator work. In our ten-day
Operational Drilling Technology (ODT) course, there are six simulator problems. It has been our
experience that it takes four simulator problems before most people begin to gain confidence and
competence in handling well control problems. Each simulator group is assigned a simulator instructor
where they are given one-on-one instructions and training. Students learn to recognize and properly
handle a variety of well control problems, such as plugged chokes, washed-out chokes, pump failures,
washed-out bits and plugged bits. Students use a variety of well control methods, including the Driller’s
Method, Wait & Weight Method, Volumetric Method, and Lubrication. They also do simulator work on
both vertical and horizontal wells.
Finally, our courses are taught from an operational perspective. MDS has gone to great lengths to make
sure that all the material that is presented can be easily understood and applied by rig personnel. We have
tried to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the field application of that knowledge.
Students learn to pre-plan all facets of drilling and well control operations in ways that can be easily
implemented in the field by rig personnel.
Again, I want to personally thank you for your interest and desire for MDS to train your personnel. This
information packet has been put together to answer some of your questions about in-house training. We
look forward to working with you.
Regards,
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Table of Contents
Letter from the President ................................................................................................................................1
Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................................................2
Our Company .................................................................................................................................................3
Worldwide In-house Training Instructors ......................................................................................................4
In-House Requirements ..................................................................................................................................7
Sample Student Evaluation .......................................................................................................................10
Requirements for Well Control Certification ...............................................................................................10
Overview of MDS Courses ..........................................................................................................................12
Operational Drilling Technology (ODT) .................................................................................................12
Practical Drilling Technology Course (PDT) ..........................................................................................13
Advanced Drilling Technology Course (ADT) .......................................................................................13
Stuck Pipe and Fishing (SPF) ..................................................................................................................13
Floater Operation Transitions Course (FOT) ...........................................................................................13
Well Control – Introductory/Level 2 (WC-2) ..........................................................................................14
Well Control – Driller/Level 3 (WC-3) ...................................................................................................14
Well Control – Supervisor/Level 4 (WC-4) .............................................................................................14
MDS Course Outlines ..................................................................................................................................15
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Our Company
At the request of major oil companies and service companies, Murchison Drilling Schools (MDS) was
founded in 1977 by Bill Murchison. During Bill’s last seven years in Iran, he was asked to start a training
program for the Iranian Oil Consortium. He put together a training manual and program that was not only
highly effective but also very well received by contractors and service companies as well as the operators.
When Bill left Iran in 1977, the operating and service companies asked him to start his own business so
that they could continue sending their drillers, toolpushers, foremen and engineers to him for training.
Bill moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and put together the Operational Drilling Technology (ODT)
Course. MDS has been training people on a worldwide basis since that time.
MDS specializes in training in drilling operations. The ten-day ODT teaches drilling foremen to
supervise drilling operations. The five-day Practical Drilling Technology (PDT) course helps equip
drilling personnel with the technical tools needed to become effective supervisors. The five-day
Advanced Drilling Technology (ADT) is the sequel to the PDT. This is a supervisor level course that is
suited for experienced operator, contractor, and service company personnel. The two-day Floater
Operation Transitions course helps experienced surface personnel transition to floating drilling operations.
The five-day well control courses that MDS offers gives all levels of drilling personnel practical
instruction and training in well control operations.
One of the keys to the success of MDS has been the combination of good operational practices and the
use of case histories. Bill kept very good notes throughout his career and has been able to help men and
women learn valuable lessons from his first-hand experiences. MDS instructors use both current and
older case histories in maintaining this approach to teaching.
Another key to the success of MDS has been hiring highly qualified and experienced drilling personnel.
MDS instructors are able to share both knowledge and experience with students. Students are able to ask
questions and glean from the first-hand experience of the instructors.
Another key that has helped MDS to be highly successful has been its approach to well control and other
drilling problems. Instructors teach drilling problems such as well control the same way that the hole is
drilled. They approach each section of the hole differently, explaining the problems and solutions that are
unique to that section of hole. Thus, well control and other drilling problems are covered several times
during the course and students gain a better overall understanding of drilling problems.
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Worldwide In-house Training Instructors
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John Breidenthal, Manager, Instructor, Houston Training Center
John has a Petroleum Engineering degree from the University of Kansas, and
has thirty seven years of experience in drilling. He has worked as a field
drilling engineer for deepwater and jackups, drill site manager, production
supervisor, and well control instructor for a major oil company. John has
varied experience working on land rigs, jack-ups, and drill ships. He is a
certified IADC WellSharp and IWCF well control instructor.
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Tom Cowper, Instructor, Permian Training Center
Tom Cowper has been hired as a Lead Instructor. Tom has a B.S. in Civil
Engineering from Texas Tech University. He has over thirty years of
operational experience on both the contractor and operator side. He worked as
a roughneck, while earning his engineering degree. After graduating, he held
the following positions: assistant driller, driller, construction engineer, division
engineer, drilling engineer, rig design supervisor, rig supervisor, drilling
supervisor, district drilling engineer, drilling foreman senior drilling advisor,
and consultant. Tom has varied experience, working on land rigs, jack-ups,
semi-submersibles, and drill ships. Tom has his IADC WellSharp and IWCF
Supervisory (Level 4) Well Control certification for Combined Surface/Subsea.
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In-House Requirements
The following information provides understanding about in-house classes, how to schedule an in-house
class, the requirements for an in-house class, and the responsibilities of both parties.
1. Definition - An in-house class is one that is taught for a sponsoring company and does not have
open enrollment. The sponsoring company determines who the participants in the course will be.
An in-house class can be taught at the sponsoring company’s facilities, a hotel or other facility, or
at one of MDS’ training centers.
2. Coordination - All in-house classes are coordinated through Bill Murchison.
email: billjr@murchisondrillingschools.com
3. Scheduling - In-house classes are scheduled and taught throughout the year. MDS schedules in-
house classes when: (a) there is an available instructor(s), (b) a regularly scheduled class that does
not have any enrollments can be cancelled and the in-house class can be taught in its place. A
large percentage of MDS students are international and book their classes and flight reservations
four to eight months in advance. MDS’ policy is not to cancel a class once there is an enrollment
in the class. MDS has a very active in-house training program and a number of companies will
book multiple time slots for the upcoming year in order to lock in their targeted dates. Therefore,
most in-house classes must be booked six months to a year in advance. Once a date, or dates, has
been agreed upon by MDS and the sponsoring company, MDS will prepare and submit a contract
to the sponsoring company for their review and signature. MDS will lock in the date of the class
once it receives the signed contract.
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4. Contract - MDS requires a signed contract for all in-house classes. The contract covers the
course to be taught, the date of the training, the cost of the course, the responsibilities of MDS and
the responsibilities of the sponsoring company. The contract also gives the contact information
for both the sponsoring company and for MDS. Some companies require extra provisions, like a
force majeure clause, to be included in the contract. In these cases, MDS and the sponsoring
company combine both agreements into one mutually acceptable agreement.
5. Number of Participants - MDS requires a minimum of six (6) people for in-house classes.
MDS requires the sponsoring company to give a firm headcount in advance so that the appropriate
amount of materials can be shipped, and the appropriate amount of instructors can be scheduled.
The maximum number of participants in a class varies depending on which class is being taught,
and by the appropriate certification authority, if well control certification is being offered. If no
certification is being offered, the sponsoring company will determine the maximum number of
participants. As a general rule, MDS tries to keep the maximum class size to twenty (20) or less
so that there is more classroom participation.
6. Facility Requirements - The facility requirements depend on the type of course being taught. If
well control certification is being offered, individual simulator rooms are required. These
simulator rooms should be secured every night. Additionally, there are spacing requirements for
the testing at the conclusion of the course. The IWCF requires individual desks that are spaced
one meter apart. For IWCF courses, prior facility approval must be obtained from the IWCF. The
main classroom being used should accommodate the scheduled number of participants. It should
have dry-erase boards, an LCD projector, 110-Volt power supply (or transformers available), and
proper lighting. The sponsoring company should also arrange for a conference room (preferably
at the hotel where participants are staying or another convenient location) for the participants to
use each night to work on homework exercises.
7. Reimbursable Expenses - The sponsoring company is required to reimburse MDS for certain
expenses. There is a fifteen percent (15%) markup on all reimbursable expenses. Some sponsoring
companies elect to pay for many of these expenses so that they are not included in the
reimbursable expenses. The following expenses are normally considered reimbursable expenses
that will be charged to the sponsoring company.
a. Travel Expenses - The sponsoring company is responsible for the airline and other travel
expenses. MDS Instructors fly Coach Class on domestic flights and Business Class on
international flights. Flights reserved by the client must be approved by the instructor
before they are purchased. International flights that are transferrable and refundable
should be purchased if that option is offered. Any overweight charges due to carrying
books, materials, simulators, or training related materials are included in the travel
expenses. All visa permit charges are also considered travel expenses.
b. Hotel and Meal Expenses - The sponsoring company is responsible for all hotel and
meal expenses for MDS instructors while conducting the training. Most companies set up
a master account for the MDS instructors so that this charge is not included in the
reimbursable charges.
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c. Local Ground Transportation - The sponsoring company is responsible for arranging
local ground transportation to and from the training center and the hotel, or for a rental car
if used.
d. Shipping Expenses - The sponsoring company is responsible for all shipping and shipping
related charges for books, materials, supplies, and simulators. This includes any fees for
Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Registration, insurance, or import fees.
e. Certification Expenses – For an IADC WellSharp or IWCF well control course, the
sponsoring company will be required to pay for all invigilator/proctor-related expenses
such as food and accommodation, travel, and shipping expenses. MDS will be responsible
for the normal invigilator/proctor fees for testing.
8. Cancellation Fee - Notification of class cancellation within thirty (30) days of the scheduled
course date will result in a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) cancellation fee. Any airline tickets or
other reimbursable expenses already incurred as part of carrying out this contract will also be paid
by the client.
9. Evaluations - MDS will conduct one-on-one evaluations with the participants at the conclusion of
the course. Diplomas and certificates will be presented at that time. In addition, MDS will send
the sponsoring company comprehensive individual evaluations (see sample evaluation on next
page). MDS will also send an electronic spreadsheet with course details for all their students. At
year-end, MDS will send the company an end of year (EOY) report that gives an updated
composite of all company employees that have been through MDS courses. This EOY report also
provides comparisons to the industry at large.
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Sample Student Evaluation
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Requirements for Well Control Certification
The following information applies to each course that offers well control certification: Operational
Drilling Technology, and Well Control levels 2-4.
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Overview of MDS Courses
Operational Drilling Technology (ODT)
OBJECTIVE:
Our objective is to train drilling supervisors how to properly supervise a drilling operation. This ten-day
course covers drilling practices and problems from spud to completion for all levels from assistant driller
to drilling manager. The course is taught by hole-intervals starting with top-hole problems related to big-
hole and normal pressure. After an appropriate casing string has been set, drilling continues into the
abnormal pressure zone and heavy mud practices and problems are discussed. Well control is introduced
as one of the drilling problems and taught by hole-interval, with training enhanced by hands-on simulator
practice. Associated problems such as lost circulation and stuck pipe are discussed along with well
control. IWCF and IADC WellSharp Level 4/Supervisor Well Control certifications are offered through
this course. Students must select which certification they desire when enrolling in the course. Individual
student evaluation reports are written at the end of the session and these, along with the extensive
workshops and exercises required, enable the instructor to assess the student’s operational or technical
strengths or weaknesses.
COURSE FEES:
$5,100.00 for IADC WellSharp – Supervisor certification, Surface or Subsea
$5,300.00 for IADC WellSharp and Workover/Completion, Surface or Subsea
$5,500.00 for IWCF – Level 4 certification, Surface or Subsea
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Practical Drilling Technology Course (PDT)
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this five-day drilling technology course is to equip drilling personnel with the technical
tools needed to become effective supervisors. This is Part One of a two-course series in drilling
technology. This course is suited for operator, contractor, and service company personnel who want more
understanding about drilling operations.
COURSE FEES:
$2,800.00
COURSE FEES:
$2,800.00
COURSE FEES:
$1,800.00
COURSE FEES:
$1,500.00
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Well Control – Introductory/Level 2 (WC-2)
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this three-day course is to lay a solid
foundation in well control. The U-Tube concept, gas laws,
basic math skills, pressure basics, kick detection, kill sheet,
drilling fluids, BOP equipment, shut-in procedures, and basic
methods of well control are all covered. Candidates can sign
up for either IWCF or IADC WellSharp certification.
COURSE FEES:
$1,000.00 for IADC WellSharp certification, Surface or Subsea
$1,200.00 for IWCF certification, Surface or Subsea
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MDS Course Outlines
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MDS Course Outlines
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MDS Course Outlines
Operational Drilling Technology – Daily Outline (Week One) Homework Assignment
DAY ONE Daily Homework
Introduction Communication
Entrance Test Drill String Design
Pre-Spud Meeting & Considerations
Problem-solving Model
Hole Trends Bonus Homework (Due Day 8)
Drill String Design Operational W.C. & Simulator
Simulator Training (Surf. #1, Horizontal, Swabbed-in Kick, Driller’s Method) Equipment 2
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MDS Course Outlines
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MDS Course Outlines
Homework Homework
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MDS Course Outlines
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MDS Course Outlines
DAY TWO
Diagnosing and Preventing Shale Problems
– Bentonitic Shale
– Gumbo (Mud Making) Shale
– Fracture Shale & Hole Stability
– Plastic-Flow Shale & Squeezing Marl
– Sloughing Shale
– Heaving Shale
– Caving Shale
Hole Cleaning
Stuck Pipe Workshop
DAY THREE
Kick-Off Plugs
Fishing Operations
Fishing Tools
Test
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