IWCF Well Intervention Pressure Control Level 4

Course overview

This programme is designed for personnel who plan, supervise or have responsibility for pressure-control activities during well intervention operations. It develops the supervisory knowledge required to evaluate well integrity, confirm the barrier arrangement, review pressure-control equipment, manage abnormal conditions and ensure intervention work is carried out within the approved operating envelope. The course covers the compulsory IWCF completion elements together with the selected Wireline and/or Coiled Tubing discipline.

Minimum 20 hours with one optional intervention discipline; minimum 24 hours with two optional disciplines. Assessment time is additional.

Why this course matters

Supervisors are responsible for confirming that the planned intervention can be carried out without compromising the well barrier envelope. They must be able to review the equipment arrangement, understand pressure and force limitations, verify testing and barrier status, recognise developing problems and direct the team when conditions change. The course is therefore focused on the technical judgement and supervisory decisions needed to keep the well under control throughout the intervention.

Who should attend

• Well intervention and completion supervisors
• Service supervisors
• Company representatives
• Well services engineers
• Other personnel responsible for planning, approving or supervising well intervention pressure-control activities

Prerequisite

Candidates should have relevant well intervention experience and the technical background expected for personnel with supervisory responsibility.

Course content

• Well integrity assurance, operational risk management and management of change
• Pressure fundamentals, hydrostatic effects and intervention pressure calculations
• Primary and secondary well control and barrier philosophy
• Barrier diagrams, acceptance criteria, verification and pressure testing
• Influx behaviour, gas migration, shut-in response and post shut-in monitoring
• Well kill principles, kill options and response to intervention-related well control events
• Completion equipment, wellheads, Christmas trees, tubing hangers, packers and safety valves
• Pressure-control equipment selection, ratings, testing and operating limitations
• Wireline pressure-control equipment configuration and barrier management
• Wireline operational complications, equipment failure and contingency response
• Coiled tubing pressure-control equipment, stripper and BOP configuration
• Coiled tubing forces, shearing / sealing capability, pressure testing and operating limits
• Contingency planning for equipment leaks, barrier failure, loss of control or inability to retrieve tools
• Supervision, communication, handover and acceptance of barrier responsibility

Assessment and certification

• Two compulsory IWCF written assessment components covering Completion Operations and Completion Equipment.
• One additional written assessment for each selected optional intervention discipline (Wireline and/or Coiled Tubing).
• Each assessment component is 60 minutes.
• Candidates must pass all nominated assessment components; the required IWCF pass mark applies to each component.
• Certificate validity: IWCF certification is normally valid for 2 years.