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Geothermal Drilling
LIVE TRAINING
8th - 10th December 2025
Meet the Course Leader
Kevin Gray BSc (Hons)
Director of Operations, Black Reiver Consulting
With over 35 years in the drilling industry and more than 5,000 days of rig-site operational experience, Kevin now focuses on delivering advanced drilling optimisation solutions to the geothermal sector. His career spans high-performance directional drilling, extended reach applications, real-time operations, and world-class technical training — all redirected toward addressing the specific challenges of geothermal well construction. Kevin is a lead member and founding contributor to the IADC Geothermal Committee steering group, where he was instrumental in developing the IADC geothermal well classification system and initiating the IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference. He is also a founding member of the UK’s APPG on Deep Geothermal, helping shape policy and standards across the sector. His expertise has been shared globally through speaking engagements at geothermal conferences in Vienna, Taiwan, Hawaii, and London, and he is an established training provider for Geothermal Rising. Through Black Reiver Consulting, Kevin provides geothermal operators, developers, and investors with services including technical training, asset evaluation, drilling performance optimisation, and due diligence. He supports a range of geothermal startups and has contributed to the development and commercialisation of enabling technologies — notably as the originator of the Geo-Lok geothermal wellhead system, now being commercialised by Oil States Renewables. He is also a published author on geothermal topics across several industry platforms. Earlier in his career, Kevin was consistently the highest-rated instructor with Schlumberger’s NExT training organisation and lead trainer with the award-winning Merlin ERD team. He designed and delivered industry-respected courses in ERD, stuck pipe prevention, directional drilling, and real-time operations. He authored the first global SOP for directional drilling support centres, developed human dynamics training for real-time operations teams, and led the offshore team that created the first multi-axis real-time vibration monitoring tool. His input into the development and field testing of Schlumberger’s PowerDrive RSS tool contributed significantly to the redesign of the X5 variant. Kevin continues to drive performance gains in geothermal drilling by merging deep technical expertise with proven field experience, focusing on solutions that work in real-world rig situations.
Course Overview
This 3-day online course delivers a comprehensive foundation and advanced understanding of geothermal drilling operations, designed for professionals transitioning from the oil and gas sector or entering geothermal energy development. Each day consists of 5 hours of instructor-led sessions covering geothermal well design, rig systems, drilling tools, material selection, well control, and regulatory environments. Special attention is given to high-temperature drilling challenges and how geothermal operations diverge from conventional oilfield practices. The course aligns with current industry standards, including IADC geothermal well classifications, and emphasizes engineering design principles, safety, and technical integrity in geothermal well construction.
The course is delivered through live virtual sessions, supported with technical documentation and opportunities for direct Q&A with industry experts. While it is technical in nature, the course remains accessible for energy-sector professionals without formal drilling backgrounds but with strong technical or management roles in geothermal projects.
Key Focus Areas
- Geothermal Well Types and IADC Classification
Understanding the range of geothermal resources, heat origins, and IADC well categories.
- Geothermal vs Oil & Gas Drilling
Highlighting design, operational, and performance differences between geothermal and conventional wells.
- Rotary Drilling Systems and Rig Capabilities
Components of geothermal rigs, with emphasis on systems engineered for high-temperature operations.
- Downhole Tools and Directional Drilling Technologies
Bottom Hole Assemblies, motors, and steering systems suited for geothermal environments.
- Surveying and Tubular Design
Precise wellbore positioning and the mechanical and material design of casing and tubing in HPHT conditions.
- Corrosion-Resistant Metallurgy
Selection of materials to withstand sour gas environments, temperature induced weakening, and reservoir souring.
- Well Control Fundamentals in Geothermal Settings
BOP systems, hydrostatics, and kick response in over-pressured, high temperature wells.
- Drill Bit Technology and Drilling Challenges
Bit selection, PDC cutter technology, and troubleshooting common downhole issues such as stuck pipe and vibration.
- Drilling Fluids and Geothermal HSE Considerations
Fluid systems for extreme environments, heat management, and environmental concerns.
- Geomechanics and Formation Damage
Rock stress interactions, thermal fracturing, and skin effect mitigation strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Participants will gain a detailed understanding of the unique technical demands of geothermal well planning and execution.
- They will be able to identify and select appropriate drilling rigs, equipment, and downhole tools for high-temperature environments.
- The course equips learners with knowledge of key risks—including corrosion, vibration, and pressure control—and how to mitigate them through design and operational practices.
- Attendees will be familiar with geothermal well integrity, casing and tubular stress management, and the metallurgical constraints imposed by geothermal conditions.
- By the end of the course, participants will be confident in applying industry standards, including IADC geothermal classifications, and understand the pathway from subsurface planning to execution within a regulatory and public-facing framework.
- A certificate of completion will be issued, which can be used for professional development or internal training accreditation.