IWCF Level 2 Drilling Well Control (Introductory)

The aim of the IWCF Level 2 Drilling Well Control course is to provide candidates with an understanding of the features of drilling a well and the fundamental principles involved in maintaining well control.

The Level 2 (Introductory) course is designed for candidates currently working in roles which may directly contribute to the creation, detection or control of a well influx. Level 2 Drilling Well Control training and certification is recommended for those working in roles such as Roughneck, Derrickman, Barge Engineer, BOP/Subsea Engineer, Mud Logger or Wellsite Drilling Data Engineer, and many others. To view the full list of recommended job titles, please refer to the IWCF website: www.iwcf.org/programmes.

Please note: IWCF training levels 2 to 4 are designed to be sequential and first-time candidates are expected to complete Level 2 before progressing to Level 3 or 4. However, the training levels are also designed to be role-specific and dependent on the candidate’s work experience. For guidance and advice on which level of training you are eligible for, please get in touch.

The course is delivered through presentation of a series of interactive lectures supported by videos and animations, supplemented by a classroom workbook and further self-study exercises. Where available, candidates are also introduced to drilling simulation with the use of a range of simulators including the DS5 drilling software which allows candidates put the well control theory into practice. The course is delivered over 4 days and includes IWCF written assessments on the final day.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the geological implications & summarise the process involved in constructing a well
• Identify the causes, warning signs, indicators and hazards associated with an influx
• Describe the procedure for securing the well and then removing an influx
• Complete all relevant oilfield calculations
• List the main features, functions and purposes of well control equipment
• Explain the concepts of the barrier envelope and the management of risk
• Describe the principles underpinning the constant bottom hole pressure methods of well kill
• Using a simulator, identify a kick and shut a well in

The course covers the following modules:

• Well Control Concepts
  Formation pressure, hydrostatic pressure, under / overbalance, kicks and blow-outs, gas behaviour, formation strength
• Casing and Cementing
  Casing design, cementing process and its impact on well control
• Calculations
  Hydrostatic pressure, pressure changes, volumes, capacities, displacement and the relevance to a pre-kick sheet
• Kill Sheet and Pre-Recorded Data
  Accurate completion of a kill sheet
• Equipment
  Mud returns and cleaning, trip tank system, BOP system, annular preventers, ram preventers, choke and kill lines, HCR valves, FOSV and IBOP, wellheads, standpipe and choke manifolds, crossovers, subsea additional equipment, mud gas separator, vacuum degasser
• Mud and the Mud Weight Window
  Types of mud, functions of mud, operating within the mud weight window
• Causes of Kicks
  Mud weight, losses, failure to keep the hole full, swabbing and surging, abnormal formation pressure
• Abnormal Pressure Warning Signs
  ROP changes, gas levels, cuttings and cavings, torque and drag changes
• Kick Indicators
  Pit gain, flow rate, incorrect hole fill, well monitoring alarms, criticality of early detection, false kick indicators
• Shut-in Procedures and Verification
  Shut-in process, diverting
• Well Control Methods
  Driller’s and Wait & Weight methods
• Well Control Equipment Tests
  Positive pressure tests, negative (inflow) test
• Well Control Drills
  Pit, trip and diverter drills
• Risk Management
  Risk management and the consequences of poor communication, barrier principles

The candidate must be pre-registered with IWCF and able to provide his/her 6-digit IWCF Candidate Registration (CR) Number. What is an IWCF CR Number? “http://www.aberdeendrilling.com/news/2015/iwcf-forum-a-helpful-guide”.

Candidates may select either “Combined” (Surface & Subsea) or “Surface Only” BOP Stack certification. Successful completion of the course and a pass mark of 70% or above in all IWCF written assessments will result in IWCF Level 2 certification which is valid for five years.