IWCF Level 3 Drilling Well Control (Driller)

The IWCF Level 3 Drilling Well Control course is essential training for those currently working in a role that is expected to shut-in a well. The course aims to reinforce and improve the candidate’s existing knowledge and appreciation of the various stages of shutting-in a well; from kick detection to shutting in the well, to monitoring once the well is shut in and monitoring the well-kill operation.

The Level 3 (Driller) course is designed for anyone expected to shut-in a well, such as drillers and assistant drillers.

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, group discussion, and drilling simulation exercises, supplemented by a classroom workbook and further self-study exercises. Level 3 training may be partly combined with Level 4 training for common modules and during simulator-based training with each candidate assuming their respective role as per normal drilling operations. The course is delivered over 5 days and includes IWCF written assessments on the final day.

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

• Perform static and dynamic pressure calculations across a range of wellbore and formation conditions
• Calculate volumes and capacities for a range of drilling and tripping operations and calculate the effects on bottom-hole pressure during these operations
• Explain the effects of gas migration on wellbore pressures and calculate pressures along the wellbore using Boyle’s Law
• Describe the causes of kicks for on bottom and off-bottom conditions
• Complete a kill sheet for vertical and deviated wells
• Specify the well control equipment requirements for surface and/or subsea operations
• 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:

• Essential geology
  This section introduces the four essentials of a hydrocarbon reservoir, namely the reservoir rock properties (porosity and permeability), a source rock, a geological trap and a seal. A range of examples of traps are described and explained.
• Formation pressure and identifying increases in formation pressure
  Within this section the origins of abnormal formation pressure are explained including under compaction, artesian effects and pressure in gas caps. The fundamentals of formation fracture pressure are explained. The various ways in which increasing formation pressure can be deduced (increasing ROP, gas cut mud, shale density etc.) are described and explained. The driller’s actions on a drilling break are described.
• Capacities and volumes
  The basic mathematics required to calculate capacities and volumes along the wellbore are explained.
• Wellbore pressures
  Building on the origin of abnormal pressure, this section looks at static and dynamic pressure along the wellbore using examples and delegate exercises. Included in this section are explanations and calculations for gas migration and expansion, maximum allowable surface pressure and the effect on bottom-hole pressure of a range of operations including tripping, disconnecting the riser, swabbing, running casing, pumping slugs and others.
• Causes of kicks
  An essential part of well control is to understand the causes of kicks, many of which are due to poor communication and awareness on the part of the drill crew. A full range of causes are described. Using examples, kick tolerance and the importance of kick tolerance to well integrity is explained.
• Kill sheets
  Following an explanation of the purpose of a kill sheet delegates will complete a number of kill sheets for vertical and horizontal wells and answer a range of questions from the kill sheets. The consequences of using a vertical kill sheet on a deviated well on bottom-hole pressure are explained using sample completed kill sheets.
• Well kill methods
  The advantages and disadvantages of the hard and soft shut-in methods are explained. Constant bottom-hole pressure methods of well control are described and explained and examples are provided of surface pressure changes as the influx is circulated out of the well. The effect of choke line friction in subsea well kill is explained using examples.
• Well control equipment
  The principle items of secondary well control equipment (accumulators, BOP and rams, choke manifold and remote choke panel) are described, and examples of sizing and rig-up of this equipment is explained.

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“.

Prior certification is not required but previous experience in an assistant driller or driller role during drilling operations is assumed. Please contact us to discuss candidate suitability if you have any doubts or queries.

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 practical and written assessments will result in IWCF Level 3 certification which is valid for two years.