3-Day Programme — London · Kuala Lumpur · Singapore 2026
22–24 Sep · London 3 Days Classroom
About This Course
Course Overview
This comprehensive 3-day course covers the essential aspects of offshore and deepwater drilling — from the big picture of the oil and gas industry through to drilling cost analysis, fluids management, logistics and safety. It is designed to give both technical and non-technical professionals a thorough understanding of how offshore drilling operations are planned, executed and controlled across shallow, deep and ultra-deepwater environments, including the use of floating units, subsea BOP stacks and marine risers.
Day 1 establishes the industry context: petroleum fundamentals, industry streams, rig types, drilling team roles, well design and the unique challenges of offshore vs land drilling. Day 2 covers drilling cost estimation, AFE creation, non-productive time optimisation, directional drilling, bit selection and hydraulics. Day 3 focuses on drilling fluids, offshore logistics, weather and vessel management, health, safety and environmental considerations, and well completion.
Real-world case studies tie together the key learnings. Led by Dr. Sharif, a Saudi Aramco petroleum engineering specialist with over 35 years of practical drilling experience.
Programme Content
Key Topics
01
Big Picture & Drilling Fundamentals
Petroleum fundamentals and the oil & gas industry structure
Upstream, midstream and downstream roles; IOCs, NOCs and regulators
Rig types, drilling teams, well design and directional drilling
Wellbore problems and prevention methods
Offshore vs land drilling: MODUs, fixed and floating platforms, station keeping and motion compensation
02
Drilling Cost Analysis & Optimisation
Drilling cost estimation and Authorization for Expenditure (AFE)
Daily rig rate, fixed vs variable operating costs and contingencies
Reducing non-productive time (NPT) and optimising efficiency
Directional and horizontal drilling: reasons, tools and measurements
Drilling bit types, selection and hydraulics optimisation for rate of penetration
03
Drilling Fluids & Offshore Logistics
Functions and properties of drilling fluids in offshore environments
Logistic support: weather conditions, supply vessels and port facilities
Health, safety, environment and security (HSES): regulatory frameworks, oil spill prevention and emergency response
Well completion: testing and artificial lift techniques
Real-world offshore drilling case studies and course summary
04
Deepwater Specific Challenges
Deepwater well design, marine riser systems (slip joint, rotating head) and conductor casing/riserless drilling
Subsea BOP equipment, ROV support and well control in deepwater
Deepwater drilling procedures and operational guidelines
Risk management, blowout contingency planning and DW field development costs
FPSO/subsea production schemes and lessons from major deepwater incidents including Macondo
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
01Understand petroleum fundamentals and the full structure of the oil and gas industry including roles of IOCs, NOCs and regulators
02Differentiate offshore drilling from land drilling and understand the unique challenges and procedures involved
03Estimate drilling costs and create AFEs, distinguishing between fixed and variable costs, contingencies and non-productive time
04Explain the reasons for directional drilling and identify the main tools and measurements involved
05Apply principles of drilling hydraulics and bit selection to improve rate of penetration and cuttings transport
06Understand drilling fluids, offshore logistics and the management of weather conditions and supply vessels
07Apply HSES principles specific to the offshore drilling environment, including regulatory frameworks, oil spill prevention and emergency response
08Identify deepwater-specific challenges including riser management, subsea BOP and lessons from Macondo
Dates & Pricing
Sessions & Fees
Available as virtual sessions (MS Teams / Zoom) and classroom. Contact us for additional classroom dates worldwide.
Dates
Location
Format
Fee
22–24 Sep 2026
London, UK
Classroom
£3,300 (+20% UK VAT)
6–8 Oct 2026
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Classroom
£3,300 (no VAT)
17–19 Nov 2026
Singapore
Classroom
£3,300 (no VAT)
Target Audience
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for both technical professionals and non-drilling personnel who need a comprehensive understanding of offshore and deepwater drilling operations.
Drilling Engineers
Engineers overseeing offshore and deepwater well construction
Professionals involved in drilling cost estimation and AFE preparation
Facilities Planning Engineers
Engineers interfacing with offshore drilling and production systems
Accountants & Finance Staff
Finance professionals supporting offshore drilling AFE and cost control
Mid-Level Management
Managers overseeing drilling operations and contractor relationships
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the course trainer? +
The course is led by Dr. Sharif, a petroleum engineering specialist with Saudi Aramco. He has over 35 years of practical experience in drilling, workover and completion operations, research and technology development, and has taught at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).
What are the 2026 session dates? +
Classroom sessions: 22–24 September 2026 in London, UK; 6–8 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 17–19 November 2026 in Singapore.
What is the course fee? +
The course fee is £3,300 per delegate. The London session is subject to 20% UK VAT. No VAT on Kuala Lumpur and Singapore sessions.
Is prior drilling knowledge required? +
No prior drilling knowledge is required. The course starts with the big picture of the oil and gas industry and builds systematically. It is suitable for non-drilling professionals, geoscientists, planners and mid-level management.
Can this course be delivered in-house? +
Yes. All London Petro Academy courses are available as fully customisable in-house programmes. Contact j.rogus@londonpetroacademy.co.uk for a tailored proposal.
