You can't troubleshoot what you don't understand.
Different roles, different ground, different problems. One shared standard of knowledge. Blick runs four distinct Mud Schools designed for the people who actually work in the ground.
Training that works around your schedule
We understand that pulling a crew off a job for training is a real cost. That's why we offer sessions for a length that suits you, at your site or ours, built around your team's drilling methods, ground conditions, and experience level.
Sharing the insight that makes a difference
Through Blick Mud Schools, we share the insight that turns experience into better decisions and stronger performance. We help drillers, engineers, and consultants understand their fluids, their ground, and their options.
Fluids knowledge, built for how you drill.
From HDD crew to geotechnical engineer. Five schools, each built for a different role and ground type. Formats are flexible and built for a length that suits you, on your site or ours.
HDD Mud School
For Drillers, operators, crew leads
The fundamentals of HDD fluid management, from pilot bore to pullback.
- HDD process: pilot bore, reaming & pullback
- Formation types and fluid selection
- Fluid:solids ratios (sand, clay, reactive clay)
- Mixing, pH management & pressure
Waterwell & Dewatering Mud School
For Waterwell, dewatering, and anchoring crews
Fluid design and management for waterwell, dewatering, and anchoring applications, including bentonite and polymer systems.
- Bentonite vs polymer fluid systems
- Carry Max / Carry Flow selection
- Mixing sequences and water pre-treatment
- Clay inhibition and product selection
Coring Mud School
For Engineers, consultants, specifiers
Fluid science for the people who specify and supervise, not just the ones who mix.
- Fluid science for specifiers and supervisors
- Achieving quality core samples
- Preventing reactive clay problems
- Writing fluid programs with confidence
Engineering for HDD
For HDD designers, engineers, project owners
Advanced design for HDD engineers: rig capability, alignment, geotechnical risk, and fracture gradient. Co-presented with Mi-SWACO.
- Rig capability and alignment design
- Hole stability and fracture gradient
- Geotechnical investigation requirements
- Design risk and mitigation
Tunnelling & Construction Mud School
For Tunnelling, piling, and construction crews
Fluid design for tunnelling and construction: managing jacking pressures, shaft support, filtration control, and swelling clays.
- Jacking pressure and swelling clay management
- Shaft support and filtration control
- Cuttings suspension and transport
- Polymer selection for complex formations
What you'll learn
Every Mud School is built around practical knowledge your team can use immediately: from fluid selection to on-site decisions.
- How drilling fluids work: removal, stabilisation, lubrication, suspension, and hydraulic energy
- How ground type determines fluid choice: sand, clay, reactive clay, and mixed formations
- Mixing sequences, water pre-treatment, and correct pH management
- On-site troubleshooting: hole collapse, stuck pipe, lost circulation, and fluid deterioration
- Fluid:solids ratios in HDD and why getting them wrong costs time, money, and bores
“The troubleshooting section alone saved us a bore we would have abandoned. Understanding why the fluid was failing changed how we looked at the whole job.”
“I can now write a fluid specification with confidence. I know what questions to ask and what to look for on site. That's a real change.”
“Our whole team came away with the same picture of what a good fluid programme looks like. That shared understanding is hard to put a dollar value on.”
Frequently asked questions
We keep costs as low as possible to make training accessible across the industry. Get in touch and we'll give you the details for the session you're interested in.
We offer half day, full day, and three day options depending on the school and your team's needs. We can also tailor a session to fit your schedule. Talk to us to work out what suits your team.
Absolutely. We can create a tailored Mud School built around your team's specific needs, site conditions, and experience level. Whether it's a focused half day or a comprehensive three day programme, we'll shape the content to deliver the most value for your crew. Get in touch and we'll put something together.
No prior drilling fluid knowledge is required. Each school is designed to meet participants where they are, whether you're new to the field or an experienced professional looking to fill gaps.
HDD Mud School is for drillers and site crews. Waterwell & Dewatering Mud School is for waterwell, dewatering, and anchoring crews. Coring Mud School is for engineers and consultants. Engineering for HDD is for HDD designers and project engineers. Tunnelling & Construction Mud School is for tunnelling, piling, and construction crews.
Participants receive a certificate of completion. CPD recognition depends on your professional body, so we encourage you to check with your organisation about how the session can be credited.
Put your hand up for the next session.
Sessions run 2–4 times a year across New Zealand and Australia. Register below and we'll be in touch when one is coming to your region. No commitment required.
Need training at your site? Talk to the team about an onsite session.