Drilling Engineering

This is an important portion of GATE syllabus and requires a proper preparation strategy. The main book
for theory is Heriott Watt and for numerical is Rabia. It will be better for you if you follow the prescribed
order of chapters while studying this portion

1. Pressures in Well Planning : Words cannot say how important this topic is for a wholesome
understanding of drilling engineering. Be extremely meticulous in this topic because most questions of
drilling are likely to be asked from here. This is almost one third of the syllabus alone. Here is how to
progress. Start with chapter 1, 2 and 3 (Pore Pressure, FIT, Kick Tolerance) of Rabia. These topics are
highly conceptual and demand good understanding which is difficult to attain in first reading. I will
advise an average reader to read these chapters at least three times over each (or until you feel at home
with the concepts). Practice the numerical examples as they come along the text. Once you are done
with the three chapters, you can move to Chapter 5 of Heriott Watt. You would not have to read word
by word now as most of the things are already covered. Just pick the additional material.

2. Well Control : Well control in itself is a favorite hunting area of GATE. There is only one reference
book here i.e Heriott Watt. A wonderful presentation of the whole subject matter is given in precise
terms. Read it thoroughly. Formulae and concepts are extremely important. Numericals are again highly
likely to appear in exam. A sound understanding of the first topic will prove handy here.

3. Rig Components: Pathak Sirs material is the best source to cover this topic. Lecture 2 and 3 of the
booklet covers all the critical areas within a few pages only. As the material is crisp, sometimes you may
have doubts in the theory. In that case, you can look up the relevant literature in either of the two
books. Numericals are standard and likely to be expected in exam (e.g volumetric efficiency of pump,
tension in wireline, number of trips, derrick efficiency, annular capacity, hoisting speed and time).

If you have covered up to this much, know that 70% of the syllabus is already over.

4. Drilling Fluid and Cements: Reading both the topics in succession helps because of the similarities in
content. I suggest making notes for future revision as factual questions (regarding say, chemicals and
additives, process of manufacture, cementing equipments and procedures, mud properties and
problems) may be expected. Laboratory procedures and tests are extremely important. All the formulae
appearing in the lab tests are important and questions can be directly asked (e.g setting time, yield
strength, spurt loss, viscosity, cation exchange capacity). Ignore rig hydraulics.

5. Casing and Drill String Design : Here also, both the topics should be read with immediate succession.
Concepts of collapse, burst, tension, torsion are important. Lengthy iterative procedures of design will
never be asked. Just remember the formulae associated with each concept. Both the chapters are low
yield ones. Do not invest much time on them. But make sure to cover the easy theory (like function,
maintenance, problems etc ). Follow any book as you please, preferably Rabia. I would advise you to
read one book only keeping in view its yield. You can cover both if you have abundance of time. :P
 Drilling Engineering
6. Directional Drilling: Chapter 1 and 2 of Pathak Sirs material for directional drilling covers many parts.
Read the theory from Heriott Watt. Formulae are very important. You will also have to read Rabia after
finishing Heriott Watt, to cover some missing portions (not word by word!). For horizontal wells, only
area of drainage is important. Similarly, for multilateral wells, only the types are important (advantages
and disadvantages).

7. Drill Bits: Cost per footage type numerical are common. Cover from a single book. Cause consequence
type questions in design may be asked (e.g what happens of spacing between teeth is reduced or
included angle is increased). Pathak Sirs material is very crisp and easy to follow.

8. Drilling Problems: Pathak Sirs material are more than sufficient. Enthusiastic readers may go for
Rabia subject to availability of time. This is again a low yield chapter. So plan your time carefully. The
chapter is largely theoretical and even a superficial understanding suffices for the most part. Depth of
sticking is almost the only numerical that they can ask.