Introduction To Stuck Pipe In Drilling: Causes, Prevention,

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Understanding, Preventing, and Solving Stuck Pipe Problems in Drilling Operations

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

Requirements

No prior drilling experience is needed – this course is designed for beginners, students, and non-technical professionals

A basic understanding of general oilfield operations is helpful but not required

Curiosity to learn how drilling works and how problems like stuck pipe can be prevented

Ability to follow along with simple diagrams, examples, and step-by-step explanations

A calculator (or Excel) for solving simple pressure and force exercises

Description

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.

Overview

Section 1: Welcome and Course Overview

Lecture 1 Welcome Message

Section 2: Understanding the Basics

Lecture 2 What Is Stuck Pipe?

Lecture 3 Why Does Stuck Pipe Matter? (Cost & Risk Explained)

Lecture 4 When and How Pipe Gets Stuck in the Hole

Lecture 5 Key Terms You Need to Know (Glossary Walkthrough)

Section 3: Common Stuck Pipe Mechanisms

Lecture 6 Differential Sticking

Lecture 7 Inadequate Hole Cleaning

Lecture 8 Chemically Active Formations

Lecture 9 Mechanical Instability

Lecture 10 Overpressured Formations

Lecture 11 High Dip Sloughing

Lecture 12 Unconsolidated Formations

Lecture 13 Mobile Formations

Lecture 14 Undergauge Hole

Lecture 15 Key Seating

Section 4: Warning Signs and Stuck Pipe Detection

Lecture 16 Recognizing the Early Signs of Trouble

Lecture 17 What Torque, Overpull, and Pump Pressure Tell You

Lecture 18 Common Stuck Pipe Patterns and Field Indicators

Section 5: Real-World Scenarios and Solutions

Lecture 19 Case Study : Differential Sticking in a Sand Zone

Section 6: Recap and Review

Lecture 20 Quick Summary of Everything You’ve Learned

Petroleum engineering students who want to understand stuck pipe concepts before field training,Junior drilling engineers, rig site trainees, and wellsite geologists starting their careers,Non-technical professionals in the oil & gas industry (e.g., HSE officers, planners, logistics coordinators) who want to understand drilling risks,Supervisors, toolpushers, and rig crew looking to refresh their stuck pipe prevention knowledge,Anyone curious about drilling operations and wants a practical, visual introduction without getting lost in jargon