IWCF Level 4 Well Intervention Pressure Control (Supervisor)

The aim of the IWCF Level 4 (Supervisor) Well Intervention Pressure Control course is to develop the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of well intervention pressure control. The Level 4 course focuses on the duties and responsibilities of an individual working in a supervisory role. The course includes compulsory training and assessment in Completion Equipment and Completion Operations; with optional modules including Coiled Tubing Operations, Wireline Operations, and Snubbing Operations (at least one of the optional modules must be selected).

The Level 4 (Supervisor) Well Intervention Pressure Control training and certification is recommended for those working in roles such as Well Services Supervisor, Completion Supervisor/Service Leader, and others with a requirement to hold an IWCF certificate.

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 simulated well intervention scenarios to add a practical element to the course and demonstrate the application of well kill processes. The course is delivered over 4 or 5 days depending on the location and includes IWCF written assessments on the final day.

The course concludes with up to 5 (2 compulsory and up to 3 optional) closed-book examinations leading to the required certificate of competence in well intervention.

The compulsory examinations are:

• Completion Equipment
• Completion Operations

In addition, a minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 examination are required from:

• Coiled Tubing Operations
• Wireline Operations
• Snubbing Operations

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

• Describe and give examples of the negative impact and effects of a well control incident
• Explain the importance of well integrity management throughout the well life cycle from construction to abandonment
• Define and give examples of hydrostatic pressure, formation pressure, and fracture pressure
• Understand the well barrier philosophy in intervention operations, explain the procedures involved in barrier management, and describe the principles of different barrier types
• Verify the importance of risk management, describe ways to mitigate risk, and describe various methods used to identify and monitor potential hazards during well intervention operations including but not limited to inflow testing, well integrity testing shut-in procedures, rig up/rig down, and annulus pressure testing
• Describe the function, application and positioning of a range of completion equipment

The course covers the following modules:

• Completion equipment
  The function, application, and positioning of a wide range of completion equipment and the purpose and function of xmas trees in pressure control.
• Completion Operations
  Detailed descriptions and explanations for the various well control methods will be provided with a review of the advantages and disadvantages of each method for a given application. Underpinning this discussion is an appreciation of barrier philosophy and pressure control management.
• Wireline operations
  The function and operation of slickline and braided line well control equipment including BOP’s, grease control heads, stuffing box, lubricator and ball check valves. The appropriate BOP stack up for different wireline intervention operations will be discussed. The necessary check and test procedures will be reviewed in detail. The correct rig up and testing procedures will be evaluated.
• Coiled tubing operations
  Coiled tubing well control will be presented, which covers pressurised deployment systems, check valves, internal well control devices, strippers and coiled tubing BOP’s. The correct rig up and testing procedures will be reviewed.
• Snubbing operations
  A detailed discussion on the BOP requirements for snubbing operations will be presented. The appropriate BOP stack configurations will be explained for different snubbing operations. The function and operation of internal well control devices, adjustable and fixed chokes, valves etc. will be assessed. The correct rig up and testing procedures will be reviewed.

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? “https://www.aberdeendrilling.com/news/2015/iwcf-forum-a-helpful-guide“.

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

Candidates must select a minimum of 1 optional well intervention module from the 3 available to be assessed in. Optional modules are i) Coiled Tubing Operations, ii) Wireline Operations, and ii) Snubbing Operations. Please be advised that the selection cannot be changed once the assessment is completed. Successful completion of the course and a pass mark of 70% or above in all IWCF written assessments will result in IWCF Level 4 certification which is valid for two years.