Abstract Whether we like to admit it or not, the role of Drilling Engineer for many E&P companies operating in unconventional resource plays is more akin to that of a Project Manager. With heavy reliance on service companies for technical support, many Drilling Engineers devolve their engineering expertise. Part of the problem is that lean organizations don’t tend to expect the modern Drilling Engineer to design wells using physics. Instead, we find ourselves in “mass production” mode where every well in an area is treated to a similar set of equipment and practices. This approach can be effective when things are going well and we don’t change key variables. However, as the industry makes a push toward increased lateral length to reduce development cost, “photo copy mode” sets a trap for our drillers, resulting in poor performance and increased trouble time. In this presentation we will showcase various physics-based modeling techniques that can be used by any Drilling Engineer to improve drilling performance and/or avoid costly train wrecks. Real-world examples from 3 different US unconventional plays will highlight; •How Mechanical Specific Energy (MSE) can be applied to enable drilling faster •How to get casing to bottomand get a good cement job in a 12,000’ lateral •Anticipate and take steps to prevent drill string failure and costly re-drills Biography Brandon Foster graduated in 1999 with a BS of Petroleum Engineering from Montana Tech of the University of Montana. In his 17 years in the industry he has worked as a Drilling Engineer for Mobil/ExxonMobil, Pure Resources, and K&M Technology group. In the past 13 years at K&M he has held various Engineering and Management positions. In his current role as Technology Development Manager he is responsible for the technical evolution of the company’s ERA drilling engineering software, modeling techniques, and technical philosophies. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and currently resides in Bozeman, Montana. About the Company - K&M Technology group is a drilling engineering consultancy with 25 years of history specializing in Extended Reach and complex wells. The company is headquartered in The Woodlands, TX with satellite offices in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Abu Dhabi UAE, and Aberdeen Scotland. In 2008 K&M was acquired by Schlumberger, but remains an independent consulting arm of the company’s Drilling and Measurements group.