About this Training
Geothermal energy is rapidly emerging as a key pillar of the global clean energy transition, offering sustainable and reliable baseload power generation. However, geothermal drilling presents unique technical, operational, and material challenges that differ significantly from conventional oil and gas operations. This intensive four-day training course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the engineering principles, technologies, and strategies essential for designing and executing successful geothermal drilling projects.
Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and real-world case examples, participants will explore all aspects of geothermal well planning and construction — from drilling technologies and equipment selection to metallurgy, well control, and formation evaluation. The course emphasizes the crucial lessons that the geothermal sector can learn from the oil and gas industry, providing insights into how existing expertise can be effectively transferred and adapted to meet geothermal-specific challenges.
Led by expert trainer, an industry veteran with over 31 years of international operational and training experience, this course offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a practitioner who has spent more than 5,000 days at rig sites. Participants will leave equipped with the practical knowledge, technical confidence, and engineering foresight needed to contribute to the success of modern geothermal drilling projects around the world.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Design and evaluate geothermal wells using sound engineering principles, accounting for thermal stress, corrosion, and well integrity challenges unique to geothermal environments.
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Identify and apply suitable drilling technologies and equipment, including rigs, BHAs, and drilling fluids optimized for high-temperature operations.
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Understand the interrelationship between geothermal and oil & gas drilling practices, leveraging transferable skills, methods, and technologies.
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Analyze and mitigate operational risks associated with stuck pipe, vibration, formation damage, and well control incidents in geothermal wells.
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Apply industry standards, regulations, and best practices to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective geothermal well construction and project execution.
This course is designed for professionals in oil and gas, geothermal energy, and drilling engineering who are involved in well design, planning, and field execution. It is particularly beneficial for:
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Drilling Engineers, Well Site Supervisors, and Rig Managers seeking to expand their technical competencies into geothermal operations.
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Geoscientists, Reservoir Engineers, and Production Engineers who want to understand the engineering challenges that influence geothermal reservoir performance.
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Project Managers and Operations Engineers from geothermal, oilfield service, or renewable energy companies responsible for managing drilling projects or overseeing technical teams.
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Technical Consultants, Regulators, and Venture Capital or Energy Investment Professionals looking to evaluate geothermal project feasibility and performance from an engineering standpoint.
- Basic
- Intermediate
The course combines interactive lectures, case-based discussions, and practical problem-solving sessions supported by real-world examples from active geothermal and oilfield drilling projects. Participants will engage in technical exercises and collaborative discussions to reinforce learning outcomes, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is applied to realistic operational scenarios. The program encourages active participation, knowledge sharing, and open dialogue with the instructor to maximize learning impact.
Your expert course leader brings over 31 years of operational and technical experience in drilling engineering, with more than 5,000 days spent at rig sites across the globe. Having served in both offshore and onshore roles, he has been consistently ranked in the top 5% of drilling professionals in a major multinational oilfield service company and was the highest-rated drilling instructor for a leading international training provider. He has led extended reach drilling (ERD) programs, authored global operating standards for directional drilling, and pioneered real-time center training for well engineering teams. His deep understanding of drilling systems, metallurgy, and geothermal operations makes him uniquely qualified to bridge the knowledge between oil & gas and geothermal drilling practices.
Unlock the potential of your workforce with customized in-house training programs designed specifically for the energy sector. Our tailored, in-house courses not only enhance employee skills and engagement but also offer significant cost savings by eliminating travel expenses. Invest in your team’s success and achieve specific outcomes aligned with your organization’s goals through our expert training solutions. Request for further information regarding our on-site or in-house training opportunities.
In our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, we will no longer providing hard copy training materials. Instead, all training content and resources will be delivered in digital format. Inspired by the oil and energy industry’s best practices, we are leveraging on digital technologies to reduce waste, lower our carbon emissions, ensuring our training content is always up-to-date and accessible. Click here to learn more.
To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized “One to One” coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster.
Request for further information post training support and fees applicable
1. What is geothermal drilling?
Geothermal drilling is the process of creating wells that access the Earth’s natural heat for power generation or direct heat use. It involves drilling into subsurface reservoirs of hot water or steam, often at depths of 1–3 kilometers. These wells are designed to extract geothermal fluids that can drive turbines for electricity or supply heat for industrial and residential applications.
2. How does geothermal drilling differ from oil and gas drilling?
While both use similar rigs and technologies, geothermal drilling operates in higher temperature and corrosive environments. Geothermal wells often face greater thermal stress, require specialized metallurgy, and deal with continuous fluid flow instead of hydrocarbon containment. Additionally, geothermal projects prioritize sustainability and long-term heat extraction, rather than resource depletion.
3. What are the main challenges in geothermal well construction?
Key challenges include high-temperature tool degradation, corrosion from acidic or mineral-rich fluids, and wellbore stability under thermal stress. Managing lost circulation and ensuring long-term well integrity are also major concerns. Unlike oil and gas, geothermal drilling often encounters fractured or volcanic formations, requiring robust well design and advanced drilling fluids management.
4. What types of drilling technologies are used in geothermal energy projects?
Geothermal drilling employs rotary drilling systems, turbine and mud motor BHAs, and directional drilling tools adapted for high temperatures. Increasingly, rotary steerable systems (RSS) and automated drilling technologies are being introduced to improve accuracy and reduce costs. Future developments include closed-loop systems and laser or plasma drilling for deeper, more efficient wells.
5. Why is metallurgy important in geothermal wells?
Metallurgy determines a well’s ability to withstand extreme heat, pressure, and corrosion. High-temperature fluids can cause metal fatigue, scaling, and sour corrosion, especially in injection wells containing hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Engineers select specific alloys such as Inconel or duplex stainless steels to maintain strength and ensure long-term well integrity in aggressive geothermal conditions.
6. What are the environmental benefits of geothermal drilling?
Geothermal energy provides renewable, baseload power with a minimal carbon footprint. Unlike fossil fuels, it produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and uses a small surface area. When properly managed, geothermal reservoirs can provide sustainable heat for decades, supporting national decarbonization goals and the transition to clean energy systems.
7. What are the economic and technical risks of geothermal projects?
High upfront exploration and drilling costs are the primary economic risks, as subsurface temperature and permeability can be uncertain. Technically, well failures, fluid loss, or corrosion can increase costs. However, improved geophysical imaging, directional drilling, and real-time monitoring are helping reduce these risks and improve project viability.
8. How is the oil and gas industry contributing to geothermal development?
The oil and gas industry provides decades of experience in drilling, reservoir management, and well engineering. Many of its technologies—such as BHA design, well control systems, and data analytics—are directly transferable to geothermal projects. This crossover is accelerating innovation and lowering costs in the geothermal sector, particularly in deep and superhot resource development.
9. What are current trends in geothermal drilling technology?
Recent trends include automation, digital well monitoring, advanced materials, and closed-loop systems that eliminate the need for produced fluids. Research is focusing on supercritical geothermal wells that can reach temperatures above 400°C for higher efficiency. Integration with carbon capture and hydrogen production is also emerging as a key future synergy.
10. What is the future outlook for geothermal energy and drilling?
The future of geothermal energy is highly promising as nations seek carbon neutrality. Advances in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), deep drilling, and AI-based well design are expanding viable regions for development. As costs fall and technology matures, geothermal is expected to become a mainstream component of global renewable energy portfolios by 2040.