International Well Control Forum

Well Intervention Pressure Control Certification Programme

page last updated 31 December 2007

CERTIFICATION METHODOLOGY

Qualification Programme

  • The IWCF requires that a candidate complete a suitable training programme prior to sitting the Well Intervention certification programme.  Candidates for the programme are also required to be familiar with the certification syllabus.

  • 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 Level.1 certificate may sit the Level.2 certification programme at any time.

  • Candidates who pass at least one of the written test papers 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-sit sessions 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 pressure control knowledge that persons require to perform their jobs safely.  The standards have been devised so that the measurement of knowledge can be assessed systematically.

The IWCF has decided for the time being that the varied nature of well intervention operations, and the lack of suitable multi-operation simulation technology, prevents the inclusion of a realistic practical assessment exercise in this programme.

The method of testing the performance of the individual has been divided into the following sections:

  • Written testing of Equipment knowledge

  • Written testing of Principles and Procedures knowledge.

Test Programme

The programmes comprise separate sets of tests at Level.1 (lower level) and Level.2 (higher level).  The accredited centre must nominate the programme and level at which each candidate is to be certified.

Only one programme and level of assessment is allowed for each candidate at a certification session.

To obtain a certificate, candidates must achieve a minimum mark of 70% in each section of the test programme.

Programme Options:

  • The programme has been designed to meet the requirements of the three specialist areas of well intervention; Coiled Tubing, or Wireline, or Snubbing Operations.

  • A Combined Operations option, covering any two or all three of the specialist disciplines is available for personnel employed in multi-skill operations.

Equipment Section:

  • Each candidate is required to complete a written test paper that includes multiple choice problem questions, identification of equipment components, and operating procedure problems using diagrams and schematics.

  • Candidates attempting a single discipline certificate are allowed 30 minutes for each of the two compulsory papers in this section.

  • Candidates attempting the ‘Combined Operations’ certificate are allowed 30 minutes for each of the selected papers in this section.

Principles and Procedures Section:

  • Each candidate is required to complete a written test paper comprising multiple choice problems, direct answer questions and Kill Sheet calculations.   All candidates are allowed 1-˝ hours to complete this section.

Invigilation

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 IWCF Board new question banks are processed by the Secretariat for distribution to the administration units.

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

Language

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