Drilling Training
IWCF Drilling Well Control Training

Through the years offshore industry has come up with a variety of Drilling Training. However, in 1982 it was agreed a common syllabus and certification system should be imposed to guarantee safety and high working standards in the drilling industry. This was the begging of the IWCF (International Well Control Forum) and one the two most acknowledged drilling training schemes in the world. IWCF system consists of 4 sequential Levels (courses) with an assessment upon completion of each of the training. Every level has a recommended list of jobs which can be reviewed on the IWCF website as guidelines to the appropriate course.

The IWCF Drilling Well Control Level 1 training is designed for personnel who are deemed non-critical to well-control operations, but might appear on the site i.e. contractors, suppliers, drilling company representatives, etc. For them course program overviews well control operations and focuses on safe practices on the site.

The IWCF Drilling Well Control Level 2  training should be attended by personnel already working on rigs, but wishing to advance their knowledge in risk management, causes of kick and their detection, abnormal pressure warning signs, well control methods, etc. This training is suitable for Roughnecks, Barge Engineers, Mud Loggers and other specialists. At the end there is a written test; certificate is valid for 5 years. There are 2 types of certificates for all levels “Combined” (Surface & Subsea) and “Surface Only” BOP Stack.

Progressing to the more advanced IWCF Drilling Well Control Level 3  students improve the essential skill to shut the well in. Course syllabus includes topics regarding causes of kicks and their indications, shut-in procedures, IWCF kill sheets to vertical and deviated wells, riser margin and a lot more. Training also contains practical exercises and assessment.

The final IWCF Drilling Well Control Level 4  training is essential for personnel involved in decision making process such as OIM, Rig Manager, Drilling Supervisor or Tool Pusher.  The ultimate goal of this course is to show well control process from the supervisor perspective. Much emphasis is also made on the well shut-in procedures. Furthermore, Level 3 and 4 courses are often combined into the one training. Assessment on this level includes simulator practice and written test.