Course - Automated Drilling - PG8504
Automated Drilling
New from the academic year 2026/2027
About
About the course
Course content
In this course, the main goal is to automate and digitalize the drilling operation with the purpose of remote drilling and fully automated operation. This can be done by focusing on the new innovation and technology (wired pipe system and its accessories) and using it for transferring a high amount of information from the downhole to the surface in real-time. The plan in this course is to use programming skills (like Matlab, Python) and Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to automate and increase the accuracy of different sequence of drilling operations (Managed Pressure Drilling, Trajectory Design, Optimizing ROP, filtering and cleaning the drilling data in real time). This will help to detect faults and symptoms downhole and mitigate issues in real-time.
Learning outcome
Competence
- Ability to implement, discuss, and evaluate automation in different drilling sequences.
- Document strong communication skills of scientific results, including reports and oral presentations.
- Ability to discuss how ML and AI, and physics-based drilling models can improve modern drilling operations, with a focus on digital twin and automated drilling.
Knowledge and skills:
- Ability to select an appropriate model and algorithm based on the specific problem.
- Ability to justify the chosen method.
- Ability to critically compare and discuss one's own models in relation to other published models.
- Ability to understand and discuss aspects of real-time implementation, including methodology, model stability, and the use of real-time measured drilling data as input.
Learning methods and activities
The course is given as self-study, with colloquia, discussions and small projects.
The course will not be given unless 5 or more students are registered for the course.
Further on evaluation
The course requires that a report (small project) need to be submitted based on the defined topics in the course. The student have to give a presentation based on the report. There will be one joint grade for both the report and presentation. To pass the course, a score of at least 70 percent is required.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Engineering (PHIV)
Recommended previous knowledge
Master's degree in petroleum engineering (drilling).
Course materials
Books, compendium and selected articles.
Digitalization: Python Application for Drilling & Geoscience Engineer, Behzad Elahifar, Erfan Hosseini, ISBN-13: 9786206184225
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| PG8503 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2026 |
Subject areas
- Petroleum Engineering - Production Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering - Drilling Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering