CERTIFICATION METHODOLOGY

Qualification Programme

There is no pre-requisite training requirement for a candidate prior to sitting the drilling well control certification programme, except at the discretion of the employer.   However, candidates for the programme are required to be familiar with the following:

• The certification syllabus
• The type of simulation to be used in the assessment exercise.

Successful candidates receive a certificate that is valid for two years from the date of successful completion of the programme

There is no period of grace when a certificate expires.

The holder of an IWCF certificate may not re-sit the certification programme at the same level within a period less than twelve months from the issue date of their current certificate, without the express permission of the Secretariat.

The holder of a current `Driller' level certificate may sit the `Supervisor' certification programme at any time.

Candidates who pass at least one of the three sections of the test at their first sitting will be able to re-sit the failed section(s), if this is achieved within two calendar months of the initial test date, otherwise they must sit the complete programme again

Candidates are allowed a maximum of two re-sits during the two-month re-sit period.

Re-sits of written test papers may be conducted at any IWCF accredited centre.

Candidates who fail the programme after the maximum number of re-sits must re-register as new candidates if they wish to re-attempt the programme.

Candidates may not re-register until at least 30 days after the date of the last failed re-sit test session.

The IWCF does not recognise certificates issued by other certification agencies.  Individuals who intend to work in a country, or for an Operator or Contractor, where an IWCF or IAWC certificate is the required standard, will have to obtain their certification by completing the appropriate programme.

Test Methodology

The Certification Standards are based on a detailed analysis of the well control knowledge that persons require and the practical skills that they have to master in order to perform their jobs.  The standards have been devised so that the measurement of skills and knowledge can be assessed systematically.

The method of testing the performance of the individual, at both Driller and Supervisor level, has been divided into the following sections:

• Practical skills test on a simulator or suitable pressurised training well.
• Written test on Equipment knowledge. Written test on Principles and Procedures.

Test Programmes

The programmes comprise separate sets of tests for Drillers and Supervisors.    The accredited centre must nominate the programme and level at which each candidate is to be certified.  Only one programme and level of certification is allowed for each candidate at a certification session. To obtain a certificate, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70% in each section of the test programme.

Practical Section:

• Candidates are required to demonstrate practical knowledge of their respective tasks during a well control exercise measured against a set of performance criteria; using either an electronic simulator or a training well injected with a pressurised influx.
• Candidates are usually tested in pairs, i.e. Driller and Supervisor.   The exercise may take between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the type of well being simulated.

Equipment Section:

• Each candidate is required to complete a written test paper that includes multiple choice problem questions, the identification of equipment components and operating procedures; using diagrams and schematics.
• Drillers and Supervisors are allowed one hour to complete this section.

Principles and Procedures Section:

• Each candidate is required to complete a written test paper comprising multiple choice problems and Kill Sheet calculations.
• Surface Drillers are allowed 1-½ hours to complete this section and Subsea Drillers two hours.
• Supervisors are additionally required to answer gauge problem questions based on a pre-completed Kill Sheet.  They are allowed 2-½ hours to complete this section.

Assessment and Invigilation:

Registered IWCF Assessors at accredited centres conduct the practical assessments.

Independent Invigilators, registered and approved by the IWCF, conduct the Principles and Procedures and Equipment written test.

Question Bank:

IWCF sub-committees are responsible for the development and maintenance of question bank material. Following review and approval by the International Board, new question banks are processed by the Secretariat for distribution to national administration units.

The IWCF continually reviews and updates the question bank in response to member and candidate comments and technical changes.

Language:

The Secretariat is responsible for co-ordinating the translation of the question bank to other languages and units, either through the Branches or through recognised technical translation organisations.