Shallow gas is dangerous because it arrives fast and cannot be contained. In riserless drilling there is no return path to control and no blowout preventer in place; the response is to divert, move off location or keep the hole full and drill ahead with the correct mud weight, depending on the situation. Those responses have to be planned before the section starts.

Site surveys exist to reduce that uncertainty. High resolution seismic identifies shallow gas-bearing sands and faults; seabed imaging identifies boulders, pockmarks, slopes and existing infrastructure; and soil data supports conductor and foundation design. A site survey read properly can move a well location a hundred metres and avoid a serious incident.

Shallow water flows are a different problem, common in deepwater, where overpressured unconsolidated sands flow water and sand behind the casing, washing out the hole, undermining the conductor and compromising the well foundation. Prevention relies on recognising the risk from the survey and designing the top hole, mud weight and cementing accordingly. This course covers both hazards and the operational practice around them.

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

• Specify site survey requirements for a proposed well location.
• Interpret shallow seismic, seabed imaging and soil data for well siting.
• Identify shallow gas and shallow water flow risk.
• Assess seabed and surface conditions for foundations and conductor setting.
• Design conductor and surface casing for the loads and hazards expected.
• Select conductor installation methods, including driving, jetting and drilling.
• Plan riserless top hole drilling and returns management.
• Specify diverter systems and their operating procedures.
• Design cementing for conductor and surface casing strings.
• Apply response procedures for shallow gas, water flow and other top hole hazards.

The course is instructor-led. Site survey interpretation is taught using real survey data and reports, with participants assessing locations and recommending well positions. Top hole design and operations are covered with procedures and field cases, including shallow gas and shallow water flow incidents. Participants are encouraged to bring their own locations and problems for discussion.

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Reduce the risk of shallow gas and shallow water flow incidents.
• Improve well siting decisions using survey data.
• Improve conductor and surface casing design and installation.
• Strengthen top hole procedures and hazard response.
• Protect well foundations and avoid lost locations.

Participants will:

• Be able to specify and interpret a site survey.
• Understand shallow gas and shallow water flow risk and response.
• Be able to design conductor and surface casing strings.
• Understand riserless drilling and diverter operations.
• Be able to plan and supervise top hole sections.

• Drilling and well engineers
• Wellsite supervisors and company representatives
• Geoscientists supporting well siting
• Offshore and deepwater drilling staff
• Marine and survey coordinators
• HSE staff supporting drilling operations

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.