Well Control in Design and Lifecycle Management

Well Control in Design and Lifecycle Management

IWCF invite our global membership including our network of training centres to apply for Well Control in Design and Lifecycle Management accreditation.

Following on from the latest revision to the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) Report 476 (April 2023), we are pleased to release an updated guidance document for this programme. The updated guidance document focuses on:

  • A more flexible approach for course delivery
  • Updated course structure and content
  • Clarifications on simulator requirements
  • Case study project as a requirement
  • Instructor accreditation requirements
  • Pre-requisites for candidates.

IWCF will not be issuing a detailed syllabus for this level of training, and instead are encouraging industry stakeholders to collaborate to develop and deliver detailed course content suitable and relevant to well engineers which as a minimum meets the requirements of IOGP 476 April 2023 revision.

Current levels of well control training do not cover the possible outcomes of decisions made during the crucial well design, planning, operating and maintenance phases. IWCF’s Well Control in Design and Lifecycle Management programme aims to fill this gap by focusing on these areas.

Aligned with our overarching goal to ensure no risk to life, assets or the natural environment, this innovative programme aims to enhance safety and reduce the number of well control incidents.

Click here to download the programme guidance document (V2 – September 2023). For further guidance or to request the application forms please contact accreditation@iwcf.org

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

The IWCF Well Control in Design and Lifecycle Management programme is recommended for experienced personnel that have a key role in well design and planning for well operations.

The programme aims to:

  • Recognise the impact that design, planning and programming can have on the construction phase and on well integrity assurance throughout the lifecycle of the well.
  • Identify and specify well control actions that can be taken when working outside of the normal operating envelope.
  • Ensure that engineers in office-based functions have well control competence in support of rig/wellsite operations

Achieving a certificate for this programme should become an aspiration for engineers, supervisors and managers working in key roles related to well construction, well interventions and managing well integrity.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The instructor-led classroom course must be a minimum of 28 hours.

The classroom course must cover:

  • all nine compulsory topics, and
  • between two and four optional topics.

The 28 hours does not include any pre-course exercises, the written assessment, or the case study project.

The course must include practical activities using table-top exercises and/or simulators. This is a key element of the course and must be used as a means of assessing candidates’ understanding of the subject matter. For example, being able to identify actions to take when working outside of the normal operating envelope.

The course must also include information on recent well control/integrity events with a focus on lessons learned. Group discussion is another key element of the course, and the instructor should encourage candidates to share their own experiences.

IWCF supports continuous learning and recommends that candidates attend suitable refresher training prior to recertification every five years.