INTRODUCTION FROM THE PROGRAMME LEADER

For many years, wells have had to be drilled with complex trajectories to achieve challenging and very deep geological targets. The easy to drill oil fields are largely depleted now and the demand for oil is still on a rising trend overall. To successfully drill these deep and often dangerous targets, the wells have to be positioned accurately and until recently, no university had ever addressed the subject of wellbore surveying. In 2012 a new initiative was taken between the Society of Petroleum Engineers Wellbore Positioning Technical Section, and the University of the Highlands and Islands to compile an e-book on the subject. This has been accessed on-line over 15,000 times all across the world demonstrating the demand for better knowledge in the subject. By making this Certificated course available online, the ISCWSA is able to further enhance knowledge and standards in the industry.

Dr Hugh Williamson, the founder of the Industry Steering Committee on Wellbore Survey Accuracy (ISCWSA) and Learning Director of BP Drilling states

“Our generalist Drilling Engineers need a solid grounding in the subject of wellbore surveying. We are keen on ‘blended’ learning solutions, which offer a mix of self-directed learning, instructor-led sessions (e.g. using a virtual classroom), some coursework and/or conversations for learners to have in their workplace (e.g. with local survey/directional companies) and an exam.
I believe this is the way the industry is going – finally and belatedly developing learning solutions that are both modern and efficient.”

Professor Angus Jamieson