A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Understanding, Preventing, and Solving Stuck Pipe Problems in Drilling Operations
Stuck pipe is one of the most frustrating and expensive problems in drilling operations. It can lead to major delays, costly fishing operations, and even the loss of expensive downhole tools. But the good news is – most stuck pipe incidents are preventable with the right knowledge and awareness. This course is your complete introduction to understanding, identifying, and preventing stuck pipe in drilling.
What you’ll learn
- What stuck pipe really is – and why it’s one of the most costly problems in drilling operations.
- The main causes of stuck pipe, explained simply: Differential sticking, poor hole cleaning, swelling formations, mechanical instability, and more.
- How to recognize early warning signs before a stuck pipe event happens.
- Basic calculations used to understand hydrostatic pressure, overpull, and differential sticking forces – explained step-by-step.
- How to prevent stuck pipe through proper planning and monitoring.
- How formation type and mud system affect stuck pipe risk.
- Real-world examples of stuck pipe incidents and how they were solved.
- Field-proven best practices to reduce non-productive time and tool loss.
- How to use drilling parameters like torque, hookload, and pump pressure as early indicators.
Course Content
- Welcome and Course Overview –> 1 lecture • 1min.
- Understanding the Basics –> 4 lectures • 22min.
- Common Stuck Pipe Mechanisms –> 10 lectures • 45min.
- Warning Signs and Stuck Pipe Detection –> 3 lectures • 13min.
- Real-World Scenarios and Solutions –> 1 lecture • 3min.
- Recap and Review –> 1 lecture • 5min.
Requirements
Stuck pipe is one of the most frustrating and expensive problems in drilling operations. It can lead to major delays, costly fishing operations, and even the loss of expensive downhole tools. But the good news is – most stuck pipe incidents are preventable with the right knowledge and awareness. This course is your complete introduction to understanding, identifying, and preventing stuck pipe in drilling.
Designed for beginners, students, and professionals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds, this course simplifies complex concepts using easy-to-follow explanations, real-life examples, and clear visuals. We’ll cover all the major causes of stuck pipe, including differential sticking, inadequate hole cleaning, chemically reactive formations, mechanical instability, and more.
You’ll also learn how to recognize early warning signs, interpret drilling parameters like torque and overpull, and apply practical field-proven prevention techniques. The course is structured in short, focused video lessons that keep things engaging and digestible.
Whether you’re a new engineer, rig site trainee, petroleum student, or simply someone working in the oil and gas industry who wants to understand how drilling challenges are managed, this course will give you the foundation you need.
No prior drilling experience is required. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to identify stuck pipe risks and play a role in preventing them.