Course Ratings

COREX RESOURCES LTD. CALGARY, ALBERTA September 9/10/11 & September 23/24/25, 2014
Course overall compared to other courses	4.59
Instructor’s knowledge	4.88
Instructor’s presentation style	4.59
Course material	4.29
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.59

LIGHTSTREAM RESOURCES CALGARY, ALBERTA May 6/7/8 & May 20/21/22
Course overall compared to other courses	4.27
Instructor’s knowledge	4.80
Instructor’s presentation style	4.27
Course material	4.07
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.35

“Good overview of drilling operations that most people, including non-drilling engineers, don’t have.” – Lightstream, May 2014

“I like the portability of the tablet, the fact that it’s easy to use, search, etc. Staggered week was very convenient. Bob, I like your presentation style. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and have learned lots. Thank you” – Lightstream, May 2014

“I enjoyed the games and quizzes” – Lightstream, May 2014

“The tablet is a great idea. Portable and I can easily take anywhere to review course materials. I think the staggered week concept is a great idea” – Lightstream, May 2014

“This is the second time I’ve attended the CWCC class in the last 5 years. I was both amazed and delighted in the degree the course has been kept up-to-date with the latest field experience in gas shale and tight/light oil plays. The six-day, split-week format makes it easier to attend, and the shift to the tablets is a great addition. Great course, thanks a lot.” – Lightstream, May 2013

“I have attended the CWCC technical course twice in the past four years. I believe the technical training this program provided was very valuable in the successful implementation of our complex well development programs. I encouraged our management, along with the engineering team to attend the course hosted by the Four Corners Society of Petroleum Engineers this past December in Farmington, N.M. The course was well received by all involved and has helped our organization improve communications that will lead to future success. We intend to have the remainder of our team attend the course in Denver this coming June”. –  John D Thomas, Operations Engineer, Robert L. Bayless, Producer LLC, March 2014.

TALISMAN ENERGY, INC. CALGARY, ALBERTA January 21/22/23 and 28/29/30, 2014
Course overall compared to other courses	3.88
Instructor’s knowledge	4.53
Instructor’s presentation style	3.95
Course material	3.60
TOTAL AVERAGE	3.99

“I found tests, quizzes, team exercises were the best for learning. I’d rather make a mistake and learn here, better than on a $5M well.” – Talisman, January 2014

SPE – 4 CORNERS SECTION FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO Dec 3-6 and 9-10, 2013
Course overall compared to other courses	4.46
Instructor’s knowledge	4.69
Instructor’s presentation style	4.23
Course material	3.77
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.29

“Fully expect to send several staff members.” – Farmington, Dec 2013

“Some managers need to see/attend in addition of sending subordinates.” – Farmington, Dec 20130

“This school provided me with tons of knowledge and industry insights which will help me to ask the right questions as a member of an asset team.” – Farmington, Dec 2013

HUSKY INHOUSE LLOYDMINSTER May 13-16, 2013
Course overall compared to other courses	4.50
Instructor’s knowledge	4.83
Instructor’s presentation style	4.42
Course material	3.88
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.75)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.41

OPEN SCHOOL       CALGARY   March 5/6/7 & 12/13/14, 2013
Course overall compared to other courses	4.38
Instructor’s knowledge	4.50
Instructor’s presentation style	4.25
Course material	3.92
Facilities/coffee/lunch service(3.08)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.26

“There was a tremendous amount of material offered.” – Calgary Open School, March 2013

“Plan on bringing it in-house.” – Calgary Open School, March 2013

“Course was quite valuable, necessary and valid. I learned heaps.” – Calgary Open School, March 2013

“Bob, thoroughly enjoyed your course. You did a great job presenting. You are passionate and extremely knowledgeable about horizontal drilling.” – Calgary Open School, March 2013

ENCANA – INHOUSE CALGARY February 5/6/7 & 12/13/14, 2013
Course overall compared to other courses	4.05
Instructor’s knowledge	4.63
Instructor’s presentation style	4.26
Course material	3.42
Facilities/coffee/lunch service(3.00)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.09

“Exceeded my expectations.” – Encana Inhouse, Calgary, February 2013

“Very good for challenging well construction with all disciplines.” -Encana Inhouse, Calgary, February 2013

“The best course I‘ve taken cross-functionally. Excellent engagement, enjoyed the oil games.” -Encana Inhouse, Calgary, February 2013

OPEN SCHOOL CALGARY November 13/14/15 & 20/21/22, 2012
Course overall compared to other courses	4.64
Instructor’s knowledge	4.82
Instructor’s presentation style	4.57
Course material	4.39
Facilities/coffee/lunch service(3.64)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.61

“Valuable information within several disciplines in industry. Great for anyone involved in downhole operations.” – Open House, Calgary, November 2012

“Very knowledgeable. Love that Bob is engaged and passionate about what he is teaching.” – Open House, Calgary, November 2012

“Keep up the good presentation.” – Open House, Calgary, November 2012

“Best course I have taken. This was like combining many years of knowledge and summarizing into a few short days with an encyclopedia to take with you. I came out of the course with many ideas and more knowledge that I think will add considerable value for the rest of my career. Sincere thanks!” – Open House, Calgary, November 2012

“Exceptional course! Fantastic job, Bob!” – Open House, Calgary, November 2012

“Senior management should take this course.” – Open House, Calgary, November 2012

PACKERS PLUS ENERGY SERVICES INC. INHOUSE – CALGARY OCTOBER 22-26, 2012
Course overall compared to other courses	4.17
Instructor’s knowledge	4.83
Instructor’s presentation style	4.25
Course material	4.08
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.17)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.33

ENCANA INHOUSE CALGARY September 11/12/13 and 18/19/20, 2012
Course overall compared to other courses	4.25
Instructor’s knowledge	4.68
Instructor’s presentation style	4.40
Course material	3.80
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.80)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.28

HUSKY INHOUSE CALGARY May 1/2/3 and May 8/9/10, 2012
Course overall compared to other courses	4.39
Instructor’s knowledge	4.82
Instructor’s presentation style	4.17
Course material	3.79
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.53)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.29

“The best oil and gas course!” – Husky, May 2012.

“Very good course. Bob is perfect.” – Husky, May 2012.

“Bob, please consider writing a book with all of your field experience, observations, what is good, what is not good, visions and directions to follow so that the new generations can benefit from all your knowledge and hard work! Thank you for sharing.” – Husky, May 2012.

“Good overview of integrated team.” – Husky, May 2012.

“This course should be mandatory for all project managers. ERCB people should attend it to have a better understanding of what they ask.” – Husky, May 2012.

PENGROWTH INHOUSE  CALGARY  March 13/14/15 & March 20/21/22, 2012
Course overall compared to other courses	3.92
Instructor’s knowledge	4.69
Instructor’s presentation style	4.00
Course material	3.54
Facilities/coffee/lunch service  (3.69)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.04

ARC RESOURCES LTD.  CALGARY  February 21-23 and February 28-March 1, 2012
Course overall compared to other courses	3.83
Instructor’s knowledge	4.37
Instructor’s presentation style	4.10
Course material	3.40
Facilities/coffee/lunch service  (4.25)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	3.93

“Great course — gave me many ideas to follow up on.” — Arc, February 2012

“Bob definitely knows his material and has great experience to provide examples to help illustrate the material.” — Arc, February 2012

 

CALGARY OPEN SCHOOL

December 6/7/8 & 13/14/15, 2011

                    Course overall compared to other courses                        4.25

                   Instructor’s knowledge                                                        4.92

                   Instructor’s presentation style                                           4.42

                   Course material                                                                     4.17

                   Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.42)                                  —

                   TOTAL AVERAGE                                                           4.44

 “As a core competency course designed for all disciplines, Bob does an excellent job explaining all aspects of horizontal drilling”. – Calgary Public Staging – December, 2011

“You pretty much summed up 4 years of college engineering in a week.” – Calgary Public Staging – December, 2011

“Thought provoking and realistic, practical approach, delivered with passion. “Think about it” is imprinted on my brain now. ” – Calgary Public Staging – December, 2011

PETROBAKKEN ENERGY LTD. INHOUSE, CALGARY SEPT. 13/14/15 and SEPT. 19/20/22, 2011
Course overall compared to other courses	4.45
Instructor’s knowledge	4.64
Instructor’s presentation style	4.18
Course material	4.36
Facilities/coffee/lunch service  (4.18)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.41

 

HUSKY INHOUSE CALGARY MAY 02-06, 2011
Course overall compared to other courses	4.33
Instructor’s knowledge	4.83
Instructor’s presentation style	4.50
Course material	4.10
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.85)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.44

PENGROWTH INHOUSE   CALGARY FEBRUARY 7-11, 2011
Course overall compared to other courses	5.00
Instructor’s knowledge	5.00
Instructor’s presentation style	4.81
Course material	4.53
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.75)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.84

ENERPLUS INHOUSE  CALGARY January 10-14, 2011
Course overall compared to other courses	4.33
Instructor’s knowledge	4.71
Instructor’s presentation style	3.88
Course material	3.48
Facilities/coffee/lunch service (3.21)	–
TOTAL AVERAGE	4.10

QUOTES FROM STUDENTS

“There have been four significant learning experiences in my 12 year professional career: (A) four years working in the Middle East on a drilling rig; (B) three years chasings rigs in Canada; (C) two month stimulation course in Tulsa; (D) this 5-day Core Competency (Complex Well) asset team course with Bob Knoll. By far the most engaging, dynamic, and career changing course/experience I have had”.  – This comment was taken from the attendee course comments from an in-house staging for Pengrowth, in Calgary, February 2011. The overall course rating was a unanimous 5 out of 5! This is the first time in over 20 years of global industry technical training we have ever heard of perfect marks from the students.

“Bob, thank you again for a the very effective and timely training you have provided to Enerplus technical, management, and executive staff over the last year. Both the 5-day asset team cross-training program (Complex Well Core Competency), and the 1-day executive version, are great programs. The two executive versions we have internally staged recently for over 40 of our managers were a great success, as both technical and non-technical executives and managers have a far better understanding of the complexities with execution in our business. What the unique 5-day asset team program teaches is so fundamental to our business model for the future that it is important that we get a majority of our technical teams to participate. We have had three full team courses in-house this year, and have plans for additional courses in the future. It is clear from the average course ratings of 4.5 out of 5 from all participants that the delivery and content value is excellent and we are seeing the direct effect the training is having on our asset teams during their day-to-day efforts to improve on all our complex well exploitation pursuits.” – Chris Stephens – Manager, Canadian Gas Business Unit, January 18, 2010

“This was a great overview of the role and responsibilities of all the disciplines involved and the importance of each with every horizontal wellbore. It also gave everyone an appreciation of the existing technology that is currently being employed out there.” Kevin Zern, PEng., Calgary, May, 2010

“Bob Knoll was very impressive. He is very knowledgeable and has a wealth of experience to draw upon… He is a great instructor and very passionate about his course. His class environment is about involvement and one that makes all class members active participants. His assignments are very interesting and involve case studies of wells drilled by various companies. To see the actual decisions made by other companies during their drills and to witness the mistakes they made is an invaluable teaching tool.” Kevin Zern, PEng., Calgary, May, 2010

“This is without a doubt proved to be one of the best, if not the best course, I have ever attended. From a corporate perspective, I do not think that there could be a course more applicable to our everyday business…from geology, a reservoir, a drilling, a completion and a production aspect. I would strongly encourage all disciplines to take this course.” Kevin Zern, PEng., Calgary, May, 2010

“I recently attended the Asset Team Complex Well Core Competency Course with Bob Knoll and highly recommend it to those in the new grad. program, particularly those involved in horizontal wells (anyone from geology, reservoir, production, or drilling should take this course). I am sure the other Nexen attendees will also testify to the wealth of knowledge that is learned. The material is current and many examples and practice are given to students. Bob has a TON of knowledge and is also very enthusiastic and passionate about what he has to share. I recommend that another inhouse course be brought to Nexen and be a part of the new grad. program at Nexen.” – EIT, Reservoir Engineering, Calgary, March 2010.

“Wonderful – covered a LOT, but there is nothing I could see to leave out. Each option has value. I will be recommending the course to my clients.”  – Denver, April 2010.

“The course was excellent, and it was highly rated by our folks. I myself enjoyed it. Bob’s vast experiences gleaned from his travels around the world were of most interest to me, in terms of the problems and learning from other operators.  I recommend this school for our East Coast offshore development team.” – Husky Drilling Manager, Calgary, October 2009.

“I thoroughly enjoyed your Complex Well Technology Course I attended in Midland and found it tremendously valuable. Currently, I am a development geologist in the Horn River Team in northeast BC. I am very glad that I was able to attend the course at this time, because it has allowed me to become familiar with all aspects of horizontal well design and has changed my approach to how these wells are drilled, completed and produced, as being truly a multidisciplinary collaborative effort… A course like this provides a basis for all disciplines to “get on the same page” and to be able to communicate since many times geologists, engineers, drillers and field consultants do not always speak the same language. I now feel that I am able to understand the concerns that other disciplines have, and how, as a geologist, I can communicate more effectively. Given Encana’s resource play model, in which most reservoirs are economically utilized by horizontal well-bores, I feel that this course and the asset team cross-training that it provides, would be extremely useful.” – Jesse Dean, Encana- Midland Texas Staging, November, 2008.

“I must say it was one of the better courses I have taken in my career. It is not a theory course, but rather a practical instruction based on Bob’s extensive experience with leading edge horizontal well technology. I took a number of experience-based recommendations from the course that will be applied in the coming winter-drilling season. I would not only recommend the course to anyone involved with horizontal well applications, but would also suggest the technical people in asset teams that work together take the course together.” – Murray Weatherhead, Devon Canada, September, 2008

“I just wanted to give you the credit, after giving you a lot of resistance at your school last year. DOC drilled seven horizontal New Albany Shale wells in SW Indiana, and if you remember, my fear of collapsing shale caused me to run slotted liners. All would have been okay, if the drilling results were also the IP’s (100-125’ flares while drilling overbalanced, with rotating head and buster) but things went south after leaving them shut in for 12 months while putting in gathering and infrastructure. You told me to pull the liners, remember? I attempted to run in with a 2 7/8”, 8 rd tubing work-string, but couldn’t get left hand torque down to the top of the liner to screw into the left hand 4 ½” XH box x 4 ½” 8 rd casing pin. The tubing backed off. I then laid down the tubing, picked up a string of 2 7/8” rental string of DP and a casing spear, slicked down the hole, stabbed the hangar and pulled the 4000”+ of 4 ½ “ 10.5# casing with 18K# over pull. Old Bob was right, you can quote me on that (you said you would put any money on pulling 9 out of 10). Everyone in Indiana thought I was insane and just wasting money. Thanks for your recommendation; we will be fracing the horizontal as soon as equipment and design can be finished.” – Terry J. Cammon, President, Diversified Operating Corporation, 303-384-9611, July 2008.

“Thanks for letting us know about the Complex Well Technology-Core Competency ’08. I would like to send two other members of my team to attend this unique training – I still consider this course the best ever training in my life and still continue to use almost all of the advices you gave me. In my role as Completions Coordinator and former drilling engineer I came to appreciate more and more all the experience you shared during the class – it has been very valuable and now I have the opportunity to make the difference, I’ve been able to bring the drilling and completions departments closer and closer especially now that we are in the process of drilling more HZ wells for heavy oil.” – Hector Munoz, Husky Energy, Calgary, 2008.

“I wanted to thank you for extending the invitation to attend the Complex Well Technology Core Competency class you taught through Petris a few weeks ago. Even though I have less than a year of experience under my belt, your class was of great value to me. Much of what you discussed was detailed enough for more seasoned students but still taught so that I could follow along. Also, many points you made where meant to change the way people address horizontal wells; with someone at my experience level, this course has taught me to envision horizontal wells the correct way from the beginning. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone that either is involved directly in working with horizontal wells or to someone that just wants to learn more. Any and all experience levels will take a great deal from this course. Thanks again.” –Matthew Dernick, Weatherford EDI. D&C Engineer, Houston, November, ‘07

“I have been drilling horizontal well and multilateral wells since 1997. I attended Petroskill’s Well Planning and Operations, Asset Team Cross-Training class, taught by Bob Knoll, in December of 2005 in London, and was overwhelmed with the course. In the three decades that I have worked for Amoco/BP, this is the best course I have attended. This course is at least in an order of magnitude above any other course that I have been on, heard about, or read about. Throughout my career I have attended many industry, internal, and academic courses. Until this course I had yet to find a course where the instructor knew the academic part, had a significant amount of first hand experience, and had been intimately involved with the industry’s experience. Bob brings all three of these aspects together. Furthermore, his approach in the classroom makes for an engaged and interactive participating class. Moreover to what Bob brings to the class, the content of the class is absolutely vital and critical to drilling non-vertical wells in our industry today…The great thing about Bob is that he really is a world-class expert.” – Tom Radford, West Kuwait Geophysical Group Leader, Dec. 2005

“I would highly recommend this course to anyone involved in planning and executing well plans, completions, and production operations. Bob communicates well his in-depth knowledge of current exploitation technology, including strengths and weaknesses, and how technology is employed on a case by case basis to achieve the desired results. The material is presented utilizing real world examples and multiple “what if” scenarios. Several hands-on exercises reinforce the concepts developed in the class. At the end of the week I had a more thorough and integrated understanding of how and when to use selected technology depending on changing subsurface conditions.” – BP, Houston, 2004

“I highly recommend this course for managers, engineers (drilling, production, reservoir and completion), geologists and geophysicists. I had some experience in onshore horizontal well drilling and production before the course. I was amazed by the multidiscipline techniques this course provided for candidate screening, reservoir considerations, well course design, drilling technology, field execution and production (artificial lift). The most valuable portion of the course for me was “Minimizing Reservoir Damage”. The input from those present that work in other parts of the world was also valuable. There were many good case studies provided as well as challenging classroom exercises. The course helped me see how important “big picture” planning is for all members of the asset team.” ─ Amerada Hess-Houston ─ December 2002.

“I would recommend that those managers, engineers, geologists, geophysicists and commercial analysts interested in broadening or refreshing their knowledge consider this course. The course materials include significant reference lists for topics like candidate screening, reservoir considerations, well course design, drilling technology, field execution and production (artificial lift). It has previously been widely attended by many of EnCana’s drilling personnel who can also share their thoughts with you.” Gary Hyde, EnCana ─ East Coast Development ─Jan. 2003

“Taking my development team on this course also provided an opportunity for team building and sharing thoughts on “big picture” or multidisciplinary planning. Depending on your team’s demographic and skill sets you may find this course of great value in your asset planning discussions. You may also find the input and experience of industry attendees from your region will help to focus your horizontal well planning and applications.” ─ Gary Hyde, EnCana ─ East Coast Development ─Jan. 2003