April 2023

The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) has released the fourth edition of their report 476: Recommendations for enhancements to well control training, examination and certification.

The updated report focuses on:

• Addressing key issues
• Updated course titles
• Introducing a WIPC practical assessment.

Addressing key issues

The latest edition has a particular emphasis on addressing the topics detailed below.

• Key input parameters to well design (pore pressure and fracture gradients)
• Well design
• Design of activities on wells
• Well construction (drilling and completion)
• Well intervention, wellhead maintenance or workover
• Plugging, suspending, and abandoning wells.

Updated course titles

The report and accompanying levels guidance chart details updates to course level names. This ensures better descriptions of each level of training.

The organisation renamed the previous ‘Engineer and Approving Authority’ (also previously known as Level 5) training course to ‘Well Control in Design and Life Cycle Management’. This accurately defines the programme and allows more options for course delivery methods.

International Well Control Forum (IWCF) will provide further information on the Well Control in Design and Life Cycle Management course shortly.

Practical Assessment

IOGP Report 476 is making its first-ever recommendation to include a practical assessment for completion and intervention personnel at Level 3 and 4. More information on content and implementation will be available in due course. IWCF will provide further guidance to our global network of training centres once this is available.

Following the Macondo tragedy in 2010, IWCF adopted the recommendations from IOGP’s Report 476. This has strengthened IWCF’s mission ever since: to define, deliver and maintain the highest possible standards in well control training, accreditation and certification.

The updated report and levels guidance chart can be downloaded from the IOGP website here.

Due to popular demand, International Well Control Forum (IWCF) have added more dates for the Train the Trainer course.  

The Train the Trainer course is a highly interactive four-day course accredited by IWCF, which is now being delivered virtually. The course will enable instructors to teach effectively and confidently in the classroom, helping them to develop effective training materials and techniques that meet the course objectives and needs of learners. 

By the end of the Train the Trainer course you will be able to: 

• Develop well-structured training programmes 
• Deliver well-structured training sessions 
• Use training approaches suitable for adult learning behaviours 
• Use effective presentation techniques to fully engage your students 
• Develop communicative activities to encourage interaction, motivate your students and ease learning 
• Use a range of evaluation techniques to ensure your training progresses. 

Suitable for both new and experienced instructors, the Train the Trainer program helps instructors develop their teaching skills in both face-to-face and online environments. 

Upcoming course dates with spaces available are: 

Course leader Tracey Jayne Little explains how Train the Trainer helps to develop teaching skills in both face-to-face and online environments.   

“ECTP Train the Trainer gives experienced trainers the opportunity for self-reflection…. an opportunity to take time out from day-to-day teaching and focus on developing their own teaching competency. It allows time for upskilling, updating teaching methods/techniques for both face-to-face and online environments, receiving feedback on teaching performance and reflecting on performance. This enables continued professional development – the very aim of such programmes. 

For new trainers, the programme provides a stepping stone from working in industry to knowing how to adapt that experience to create a conducive classroom learning environment. It sets new trainers up for success as this course covers the three fundamentals of excellence in modern day training – organisation, interaction and communication skills. By covering these in “bite size chunks” and with skill practice and feedback every step of the way, the confidence and teaching competency of new trainers grows each and every day.” 

One of the latest virtual Train the Trainer course was held in February, and a group photo was shared by IWCF to showcase the participants. 

To develop or adapt your training skills and confidence in the classroom, book your place or to be added to a waiting list for future course dates, please contact accreditation@iwcf.org.