Accreditation of Centres

• The certification programme is only carried out at IWCF Accredited centres.

• The Rotary Drilling Well Control application process requires the submission of details of the simulator(s), assessor qualifications and written test facilities to the IWCF for approval.

• The Well Intervention Pressure Control application process requires the submission of details of the training programme curriculum, training course manual and written test facilities to the IWCF for approval

Audit and Monitoring of Accredited Centres

To ensure consistency in the implementation of the certification programme an IWCF registered auditor will conduct a primary centre audit.  Branch committees assist in the regular monitoring of Rotary Drilling Practical Assessment exercises.

• Accredited Centres and Assessors must agree to periodic monitoring by an IWCF nominated auditor.

• Accredited Centres or Assessors that are found to be unsatisfactory during monitoring or audit will be served an improvement notice and audited again shortly thereafter.

• Failure to satisfy the improvement notice will result in the suspension of the accredited Centre and/or Assessor from the approval list.

A new technical audit programme will be introduced during 2005.  This will provide for a full audit of Primary Centres and accredited Assessors approximately every three years.

Application Procedure

To obtain accreditation to conduct the IWCF Drilling Well Control or Well Intervention certification programmes an organisation must meet the following criteria: -

• Be a registered corporate business.
• Be a member of the International Well Control Forum.
• Have at least one permanent training location.
• Have at least one accredited Practical Assessor.

To apply for accreditation, an organisation must initially request, in writing, a set of appropriate application documents from the IWCF Secretariat.

Accredited Centres may apply for temporary or permanent approval of alternate venues using a document based approval system.

If the alternate location is in a country with no IWCF National Administration Unit, the IWCF Secretariat will administer the written test programme.

Approval Criteria

Applications for Accredited Centre status are subject to the following approval criteria:

Written Testing

• Test room must be large enough to comfortably seat all candidates and the invigilator.

• Test room must be well lit and adequately ventilated.  External Noise levels must be kept to a minimum.

• Toilets must be available for the use of candidates.

• All candidates must have a table on which to work.  More than one candidate may share a table so long as they are at least one metre apart.

• The Accredited Centre must provide a private room for the Invigilator to mark test scripts, if required.

• The Accredited Centre must provide access for the Invigilator to a telephone, fax and photocopier at their expense.

• The Accredited Centre must have a person available to receive the test results and provide any assistance that the Invigilator may require.

• An Invigilator has the right to cancel a test session if he or she considers the test room and facilities are unsuitable.

Practical Simulator Assessment

The Simulator, which will be subject to audit by IWCF, must be capable of meeting the requirements laid down in the current IWCF Rotary Drilling Simulator Specification.

The simulator specifications have been developed following an exhaustive consultative and review process with IWCF members’ worldwide.   The review has paid particular attention to the equipment currently used for training and assessment.

• The Simulator room must be well lit and ventilated with a minimum of external noise/distraction.

• A table/work bench must be available for the candidates.

• Only the candidates being assessed and the Assessor (and/or simulator operator) are allowed in the simulator room during assessment sessions.

• The Assessor may employ the services of a technician to operate the simulator during an assessment exercise.

• In the case of an irreparable simulator breakdown during a certification programme, the practical assessment exercises must be postponed until the simulator is repaired.