Rig selection is the first major offshore decision and it constrains everything after. A jackup can only work within its leg length and seabed conditions; a moored semi-submersible is limited by mooring capability and water depth; a dynamically positioned drillship can work almost anywhere but costs the most. The choice fixes the wellhead type, the riser arrangement and the whole operating approach.

Weather and logistics govern the schedule in a way they never do onshore. A supply vessel that cannot come alongside, a helicopter weather window that closes, or a sea state that stops running riser all stop the operation, and in harsh environments seasonal planning is as important as technical planning.

Cost per day is high enough to change decisions. At offshore day rates, an extra day of planning that saves half a day of operations pays for itself, equipment is mobilised in advance rather than called out, and contingency items are carried on board rather than ordered. Offshore drilling engineering is partly the discipline of removing reasons to wait.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Compare offshore rig types and select by water depth, environment and well requirements.
• Describe station keeping by mooring and dynamic positioning.
• Describe marine systems and vessel management on a drilling unit.
• Plan offshore well construction sequences.
• Compare subsea and surface wellhead arrangements.
• Plan logistics, supply and crew change operations.
• Assess weather windows and environmental operating limits.
• Apply offshore safety management and permit systems.
• Plan emergency response, evacuation and well control contingency offshore.
• Analyse offshore drilling cost structure and its drivers.

The course is instructor-led. Rig types and marine systems are covered with drawings, specifications and operational footage descriptions, and operations through real programmes and daily reports. Participants select rigs and plan offshore campaigns for given wells and environments. Participants are encouraged to bring their own offshore operations for discussion.

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Select offshore rigs appropriate to the well and environment.
• Improve planning of logistics, weather and marine operations.
• Reduce offshore waiting time and its cost.
• Strengthen offshore safety and emergency preparedness.
• Build offshore understanding in staff moving from onshore operations.

Participants will:

• Understand offshore rig types and their capabilities.
• Understand station keeping, marine systems and riser operations.
• Be able to plan offshore well construction and logistics.
• Understand weather and environmental constraints.
• Understand offshore safety and emergency requirements.

• Drilling engineers moving to offshore operations
• Rig site supervisors and company representatives
• Well engineers and planners
• Logistics and marine coordinators
• HSE staff supporting offshore drilling
• Graduate engineers entering offshore roles

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.

Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.