Drilling Fluids Education and Training

Keep your career running with drilling fluids education and training

By Tara McClendon, Freelance Writer/Editor Tara McClendon
Drilling fluid technologies are an essential element of extracting oil and gas reservoirs from the earth. It is fairly common for people in this line of work to travel on assignment to different parts of the world.

The person who operates the drill must know how to work with oil drilling liquids. Usually companies will require a degree in petroleum engineering before they will hire a drill operator. As companies incorporate new drilling fluid technologies into their operations, they may require continuing education in the field.

1. Increase your job opportunities by getting a degree as a petroleum engineer.

2. Look for ways to continue your education in order to stay up to date on drilling fluid information.

3. Focus on the safety training for working with drilling fluids.

 

Consider getting a degree in drilling fluid engineering

A degree in petroleum engineering teaches you how to work with drilling fluids, sometimes called drilling mud. It can also prepare you to work with drilling mud additives and chemicals. The best programs will go beyond classroom teaching and provide hands-on experience.
Try: World Wide Learn provides an overview of what a career as a Petroleum Engineer entails. You can also find links for universities and colleges that offer this degree. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) provides career resources on its website, including mentoring and university programs. The SPE offers this as a way to increase awareness about the industry, so you don't have to be a member to take advantage of the information.

Continue your education to stay current in drilling fluid technologies

There are a variety of reasons to consider continuing your education after you get a degree. In some cases, you may want to refresh your memory on drilling fluids you haven't used in a while. At other times, you may need to find out the newest drilling fluid technology or find ways to incorporate more environmental-friendly practices into your drilling.
Try: The Petroleum Institute for Continuing Education (PEICE) offers a two-day short course for Drilling Fluid Engineering. It includes a review on drilling fluid basics. The American Association of Drilling Engineers provides information on its annual fluids technical conference. It covers a wide area of topics including oil-based drilling fluid.

Obtain drilling fluids education and training specific to safety

Many drilling fluid companies offer educational information about the safety requirements of their products. Some companies only cover the basics by providing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), but others will offer training courses or manuals.
Try: Master Technologies offers an Introduction to Oilfield Drilling Operations and Equipment. The course covers oil drilling fluids. Utilize the safety manuals provided by Matrix Drilling Fluids. It provides the safety manuals in downloadable PDFs.

 

  • Being a mentor or an intern can allow you to get drilling fluids education and training without having to pay a high dollar amount for it, but you will have to invest the time to learn through this method. Often the education is your compensation, and you won't receive a paycheck for doing the work.

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