IWCF Drilling Well Control Level 3 (Surface Stack)

Course overview

This course is designed for personnel who are expected to recognise a developing well control event and take the correct immediate action at the rig floor. It develops the knowledge and practical competence required to prevent kicks, detect an influx, shut in the well safely, monitor the well after shut-in and support the subsequent well kill operation.

The programme combines well control theory with practical simulator exercises using surface well control equipment. Typically 5 days, with a minimum of 32 instructional hours excluding assessment time.

Why this course matters

Early recognition and a correct shut-in are critical to maintaining well control. The course focuses on the decisions and actions expected from the driller when conditions change, including recognising warning signs, confirming an influx, selecting the correct shut-in response, communicating shut-in data and maintaining the well in a safe condition until the kill operation is carried out.

Who should attend

• Drillers
• Assistant drillers
• Other personnel whose assigned role requires them to detect a kick and shut in a well

Prerequisite

Candidates should have relevant drilling experience and the background knowledge expected for IWCF Level 3 training.

Course content

• Pressure fundamentals, hydrostatic pressure and well control calculations
• Primary and secondary well barriers and barrier verification
• Mud and pit management, trip monitoring and pre-recorded well data
• Kick causes, abnormal pressure indicators and kick prevention
• Kick detection while drilling, tripping and during other drilling activities
• Shallow gas, water flows and top-hole well control considerations
• Surface-stack shut-in procedures, verification and post shut-in monitoring
• Well control drills, communication and crew response
• Influx behaviour and basic interpretation of shut-in pressures
• Kill preparation, kill sheets and commonly used well kill methods
• Casing and cementing well control considerations
• Surface BOP equipment, annular and ram preventers, choke manifold and control systems
• Risk management, operational handover and response to well control complications
• Practical simulator exercises in the Level 3 driller role

Assessment and certification

• Surface Equipment theory assessment.
• Surface Principles & Procedures theory assessment.
• Role-specific practical simulator assessment.
• Minimum pass mark: 70% in each assessment.
• Certificate validity: IWCF certification is normally valid for 2 years.