IWCF Operations Limited

Enhanced Well Control Guidance

04 July 2017

Name Function Signature Date

Joanna Simpson Author J. Simpson 10/05/2017

Dave Conroy Reviewer D. Conroy 26/06/2017

George Galloway Approver G. Galloway 06/07/2017

 Enhanced Well Control Guidance

Contents
1. Programme Objectives and Structure .................................................................................... 3
2. Course structure and length................................................................................................... 4
3. Candidate Requirements ....................................................................................................... 5
4. Application............................................................................................................................. 6
5. Quality Assurance ................................................................................................................. 6
6. Written Assessment............................................................................................................... 7
7. Certification ........................................................................................................................... 7
8. Repeat Frequency / Renewal................................................................................................ 7
9. Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................. 8
10. Reference ............................................................................................................................. 8

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 Enhanced Well Control Guidance

1. Programme Objectives and Structure

The IWCF Enhanced Well Control training is specifically designed for experienced candidates who
require something additional to the standard course. The enhanced training is for candidates who
are renewing their Drilling Well Control certification.

The introduction of enhanced training is in direct response to report 476 from the International
Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) following the Macondo and Montara incidents and
aims to drive up competency standards and improve safety for those working with wells. Candidates
will be assessed in a similar manner to a standard course and can be expected to achieve higher
results.

The purpose of this new training initiative is to improve the Well Control knowledge for experienced
personnel to a new higher level above and beyond the current IWCF Level 3 and 4 Well Control
training and assessment. The training method replaces the standard course with a requirement for
at least 2 previous certificates attained at the same level with the most recent scoring 80% or higher
on all individual components. An additional requirement is that candidates will also demonstrate
significant experience of continuous learning during their career to effectively carry out their Well
Control responsibilities.

The Enhanced programme is a course of training based on real industry Well Control incidents and
actively encourages participants to share their Well Control experience. Scenario based simulated
exercises and team work is a major part of this training. It focuses on enhancing technical
knowledge using case studies in a team based environment.
A written and practical assessment at either level 3 or 4 plus an assessment of the enhanced topics
taught must be taken by delegates for enhanced programme eligibility.

This course must be conducted by an approved IWCF instructor and assessor and must contain
elements of Crew Resource Management (CRM) integrated into the programme.

Courses can be tailored depending on the needs of the employer and training providers can choose
from a list of topics to form an enhanced course and assessment. Courses can be either Surface
BOP operations or Subsea BOP operations.

Enhanced Well Control Topics

1. Highly Deviated / Horizontal Well Control
2. Volumetric Method + Simulation
3. Stripping into Wellbore + Simulation
4. Lubricate & Bleed Method + Simulation
5. Bullheading Method + Simulation
6. Well Control Case Study (minimum 1x) + Simulation
7. Wellbore Fingerprinting (Breathing vs Ballooning) + Simulation
8. Reverse Circulation + Simulation
9. Unusual Well Control Scenario (e.g. shut-in with pumps running, non-shearables across BOP, etc)
10. Advanced Well Control Equipment
11. Plug & Abandonment + either a table top exercise or simulation exercise

All enhanced well control topics should include an element of Well Operations Crew Resource
Management (WOCRM) review and assessment. For full details of the non-technical skills to be
incorporated please refer to Appendix B of report 476 from the International Association of Oil and
Gas Producers (IOGP) August 2016 revision.

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 Enhanced Well Control Guidance

2. Course structure and length

Course lengths vary depending on the number of topics selected. The matrix below shows the course length and variations;

Time Req'd Experience Enhanced Recommendation

Eligibility for Cert. to
(Course + Prev. Lvl3 or Grading Recommendation#1 CPD Well Control
Enhanced #2 be Issued
Assessments) Lvl4 Certs (x2)? >80-80-80? Exams & PA?
No No
No Yes No Standard Lvl3 or 4 Certification
Yes No
Lvl3 or
Standard Lvl3 or 4 Lvl4
Yes Yes Yes No No
Certification Standard
40 hrs minimum Certificate
Lvl3 or
Lvl4
Select 3, 4 or 5 x Standard
Yes Yes Yes Enhanced Well Yes Yes Enhanced Well and an
Control Training Control Topics Enhanced
Well
Control
Certificate
Select more than 5 with
56 hrs minimum Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Enhanced Well individual
Control Topics topics
listed

Maximum allowable class size will be as per IWCF rules but at no time must the class exceed 12 candidates. Level 3 and 4 students can be
scheduled on the same Enhanced training course

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 Enhanced Well Control Guidance

3. Candidate Requirements
Candidates must have already attained a suitable certification for the level of role based training.
In addition, candidates will have passed the assessment requirements for their role level at least
twice before with the most recent scoring a pass mark of 80% or more in each individual
component.
There is also a requirement for candidates to demonstrate significant experience of continuous
learning during their career to effectively carry out their Well Control responsibilities.
The candidates CPD will be maintained and tracked in the candidates account within FORUM.
Initially there will be a 3-month requirement for CPD and 2 years thereafter. The below information
will be requested;

First Name:
Surname:
Date of Birth:
Candidate Registration
Number:
Employer:

IWCF must be provided with evidence of 2 years continuous learning covering the IWCF syllabus
related to the written assessment attempted.

Date
Topic Format Notes
Completed
Causes of kicks. 1day training course 01/08/16 course provider XXX
Documented ‘hands
Well control on’ well control
06/06/17 LMS documents submitted
methods. simulation exercises
or kick drills
Scenario based
Kick warning signs
discussion with rig 03/01/17 LMS documents submitted
and indicators.
crews at the well site
date.
date.
date.
date.
date.
date.
date.

I/We understand that the information above is correct.

Candidate Signature:
Date:
Employer Signature:
Employer Name:
Date:

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 Enhanced Well Control Guidance

This is the candidate’s responsibility to maintain and submit at the time an assessment is requested
at a training facility.

A good example of continuous learning is documented ‘hands-on’ well control simulation exercises
or kick drills, or scenario based discussions with rig crews at the well site.

4. Application
An employer and/or a training provider (centre) can apply to accredit their programme;
 IWCF Enhanced Well Control

A minimum of 3 Enhanced Well Control Topics must be selected to apply for accreditation.
More information and further guidance on the application can be provided by emailing specific
requests to [email protected].
The training provider must submit all training materials electronically to IWCF in MS WORD format
for initial approval a minimum of 30 working days prior to the commencement of the enhanced
training course.

5. Quality Assurance
The training provider must meet specific quality assurance requirements before being awarded
accreditation. Specifically:
Training providers who wish to seek IWCF Enhanced Well Control must initially be approved
according to the IWCF Accreditation Application document.
Training materials developed for Enhanced Well Control must be submitted as follows:
 Course syllabus to be in compliance with the IWCF model template.
 Course description including learning objectives in compliance with the IWCF model
template.
 Course outline (programme) in compliance with the IWCF model template.
 Lessons plans for each individual lesson in compliance with the IWCF model template.
 Course Manual, written exercises, group activities, handouts, simulator exercises etc in
compliance with the IWCF model template.
Note: Exercises and any worked examples used in the training course must not be similar or
identical to test questions used in the final written assessment.
Course lessons delivered must use a specified variety of tutoring methods and training means that
must be described in the lesson plans. Examples of tutoring methods includes PowerPoint
presentations, dialogue, written exercises, table top exercises, homework, group work, case studies
and cause findings, simulator exercises, demonstration of hardware, use of animations, hardware
models etc.
Training providers must explain in their accreditation submission how they ensure the Enhanced
Well Control training material is reviewed and updated as a minimum annually. The review and
update of content must take account of recent industry trends and knowledge of well control events.
Enhanced Well Control instructors and practical assessors must be IWCF accredited and be able to
demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the subject matter. The Instructor/ Assessor CV
supplemented by relevant certificates must be submitted and approved by IWCF.
Simulators used in the Enhanced Well Control course must be of the full-scale type and include all
installations and features according to IWCF Simulator Model Check List document AC-0062. The
simulator environment must include means for communication between the instructor control room

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 Enhanced Well Control Guidance

and the simulator. Surveillance with recording and playback should also be included.
The training provider must produce a minimum of 40 acceptable Enhanced Well Control exam
questions to cover the topics selected. These will be included in the IWCF question bank and
applicants will agree to give IWCF the right to publish and use the questions provided in whole,
partial or adapted form, and to license others to do so, anywhere in the world in all languages. The
exam questions must be in compliance with IWCF Guidelines and Procedures for Question Writers
and provided using the IWCF model question template. If assessment questions are not English
language, then an English translation must be supplied. The exam questions must be directly
related to the syllabus supplied and be evenly distributed across all subjects. Every test question
will have the same points weighting.
Use of the IWCF logo in training materials can only take place after provisional accreditation
approval has been granted.
The Enhanced Well Control programme will be subject to an initial audit and final accreditation only
awarded following a successful outcome.

All course participants must submit a Course Evaluation Form to IWCF in compliance with the IWCF
model template.

6. Written Assessment
Enhanced Well Control courses must have 3 enhanced topics as a minimum and in addition to the
standard level 3 or 4 written assessment and practical, there will be a requirement for an additional
enhanced topics written assessment. Normal IWCF procedures will apply when arranging the
assessment.
All Enhanced Well Control courses will be administered and controlled by IWCF. An IWCF Invigilator
will be in attendance during the written assessment.
An Enhanced Well Control schedule can be arranged via the IWCF online administration system,
FORUM. Following accreditation approval all required documentation must be submitted via
FORUM at least 10 days prior to the assessment.
Standard Level 3 and 4 written assessments can be attempted on day 1 of the training course or
at the end of the Enhanced programme before the Enhanced assessments.

7. Certification
The standard level 3 or 4 certificate will be awarded to successful candidates with an Enhanced
Well Control status where applicable.
All individual topics selected will be listed on the standard level 3 or 4 certification.
A pass mark of 80% and above is required on all assessments to achieve Enhanced status. Normal
IWCF re-sit rules apply in the event of a candidate not achieving the required pass marks.
The practical assessment element also requires an 80% pass mark which should be achieved on the
first attempt. Re-sits will not be provided for the standard practical assessment.

8. Repeat Frequency / Renewal

Enhanced Well Control courses will be offered as an alternative to repeating the same standard
level course every 2 years. The requirement to demonstrate continuous learning in the work place is
introduced as a pre-requisite for enhanced training.

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9. Disclaimer
Due to the approach taken for the IWCF Enhanced Well Control, IWCF takes no responsibility for
the accuracy and accuracy of the contents of the syllabus and the submitted training subjects given
by the operator or training providers. Nor does IWCF take any responsibility for consequences
resulting in using such training in practice.

10. Reference
IWCF members can contact [email protected] to request a copy of the IOGP report 476:
Recommendations for enhancements to well control training, examination and certification.

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