International Well Control Forum

Level 1
Syllabus

January 2014
Version 1.0


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Level 1
Syllabus structure

The syllabus addresses Well Control Awareness Training. It covers all aspects of Well Control there is not
a separate Drilling or WIPC syllabus.

The syllabus is divided into sections;

Overview
Geology 1A
The lifecycle concept 1B
Different types of wells 1C
Drilling a well
Understanding pressures 2A
The drilling window 2B
How a well is drilled from spud to completion 2C
Drilling rigs/well control equipment
Different rigs 3A
Well control equipment 3B
Well integrity
Integrity and barriers 4A
Human factors 4B
Well services (well intervention)
Introduction to basis well intervention techniques 5A
How well control events can occur and their consequences
Well kicks and consequences during drilling 6A
Loss of well control in a production environment 6B
Consequences of loss of well control 6C
Methods of prevention/mitigation to avoid a well control incident
Well monitoring, kicks, shut-in 7A
Well kill methods 7B
Well control in practice 7C


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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus
Section Sub Category
Identifier
Learning objective. The student will
gain an understanding of:
Learning outcome. The student will be able to:
1A 1A.01 How hydrocarbon reservoirs are formed. Explain the process from plant and/or animal life forming hydrocarbons
through geological time and the accumulation of hydrocarbons to form a
reservoir
1B 1B.01 The lifecycle of an oilfield. Use an example of this process which covers:
1. Explore 2. Appraise 3. Develop 4. Produce 5. Abandon.
1B 1B.02 The economics and risks involved and
shared responsibility (non-operator).
Understand the basic concept of oil company economics and how it is a high
risk business.
1C 1C.01 The difference between exploration and
appraisal wells and development and
production wells.
Describe the difference between exploration and appraisal wells (collecting
data on field) against development and productions wells (maximising
production).
DRILLING A WELL
Understanding pressures
2A 2A.01 Hydrostatic pressure. Describe the concept of hydrostatic pressure in relation to a column of fluid.
Explain the parameters which affect hydrostatic pressure.
2A 2A.02 Formation pressure. Describe what normal formation pressure is and how it happens through
sedimentation, compaction and permeability.
2B 2B.01 The concept of "the drilling window" and
what determines upper and lower limits.
Use simple graphs of pore pressure and fracture gradients and show the
"mud weight window." Explain the choice of casing setting depths.
How a well is drilled - from spud to completion
2C 2C.01 The basics of well construction. Describe the stages of drilling a well from top hole through to completion.
2C 2C.02 The role of mud in the drilling process. Explain cooling, lubrication, cuttings removal, prevention of formation
damage, provision of hydrostatic head and re-use.
OVERVIEW
Geology
Different types of wells
The life cycle concept
The "drilling window"
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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus
Section Sub Category
Identifier
Learning objective. The student will
gain an understanding of:
Learning outcome. The student will be able to:
DRILLING A WELL (continued)
Understanding pressures (continued)
2C 2C.03 Completion and clean-up. Explain completion operations, the removal of the Blow Out Preventer (BOP)
and installation of the Christmas tree, well clean-up and handover.
3A 3A.01 The differences and similarities between
different rigs.
Describe the differences and similarities between land rigs, tender assist
barges, offshore Jack Ups, platforms, semi-submersible drilling rigs and
drillships.
3A 3A.02 The position of the wellhead and BOP in
surface stack operations and subsea
stack operations.
Use pictures or diagrams to show a typical BOP stack configuration.
3A 3A.03 The components and purposes of a
surface Christmas tree.
Use a typical (local) surface tree picture or diagram to explain the purpose of
master valve(s) and production valve(s).
Drilling Phase
3B 3B.01 The general layout of well control
equipment including the choke and kill
manifold, the mud-gas separator and
BOP.
Use a diagram and photos to show the primary components, their location
and their basic purpose.
4A 4A.01 The term "well integrity." Explain that integrity is the prevention of the unplanned escape of
hydrocarbons.
4A 4A.02 Primary and secondary barriers using the
two barrier principle and containment
envelopes.
Use envelope examples such as NORSOK D10 or pressure containment
boundary principle (Oil and Gas UK Well Integrity Guidelines).
4A 4A.03 Barrier testing. Show an example of the validation of barriers, preferably in the intended
direction of control.
Well control equipment
DRILLING RIGS / WELL CONTROL EQUIPMENT
Different rigs
WELL INTEGRITY
Integrity and barriers
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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus
Section Sub Category
Identifier
Learning objective. The student will
gain an understanding of:
Learning outcome. The student will be able to:
Integrity and barriers (continued)
4A 4A.04 The importance of well integrity
management during the lifecycle of the
well.
Explain briefly well integrity management and how it can be used to prevent
well control events.
4B 4B.01 The importance of people and processes
in maintaining well integrity.
Use a model to show that 1. Design 2. Training 3. Maintenance 4. Operating
Procedures (PTW 5. Data and Change Managementall have a role in
integrity.
4B 4B.02 The importance of well handover during
different phases and activities associated
with the well.
Use examples to explain what can go wrong if information about the well is
not effectively handed over.
4B 4B.03 The term "Management Of Change." Explain the importance of "Management Of Change" and explain what can go
wrong without it.
Introduction to basic well intervention techniques
5A 5A.01 Why you need intervention. Describe the production life of a well and explain why there is intervention,
water, corrosion and production fall-off.
5A 5A.02 Hazards. Explain the temporary nature of the well services set up and hazards. Note:
incidents are often associated with well services.
Well kicks and consequences during drilling
6A 6A.01 The common causes of kicks, such as
loss of primary well control, when drilling.
Describe the causes of increasing formation pressure (abnormal pressure
regimes), loss of drilling fluid density and reduction in vertical height of mud
column. Describe how these can cause a loss of primary well ontrol.
6A 6A.02 How a kick becomes a blowout. Explain that, if no action is taken when a kick enters the well, then it will
become a blowout when it reaches the surface.
Loss of well control in a production environment
6B 6B.01 The common causes of loss of well
control and possible solutions in
production situations.
Describe the possible causes of loss of well control which is usually "failure of
equipment."
Human factors
WELL SERVICES (WELL INTERVENTION)
HOW WELL CONTROL EVENTS CAN OCCUR AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
WELL INTEGRITY (continued)
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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus
Section Sub Category
Identifier
Learning objective. The student will
gain an understanding of:
Learning outcome. The student will be able to:
Consequences of loss of well control
6C 6C.01 The consequences of a blowout to the
operator, community and environment.
Use examples of blowouts to explain the effects on people, the environment,
assets and company reputation.
METHODS OF PREVENTION / MITIGATION TO AVOID A WELL CONTROL INCIDENT
7A 7A.01 The management of the fluid column. Describe the importance of mud quality, fluid material balance in/out, dilution
and transfer.
7A 7A.02 The main methods of detecting a kick. Describe the primary role of the Driller. Emphasise the multiple inputs and
responsibilities. Discuss the role of Mud (Data), Loggers and the Derrickman
as backup.
7A 7A.03 How the well is shut in and the
importance of acting quickly.
Describe how the well is shut in for various situations . Emphasise "shut in
first, call later."
7A 7A.04 Who is involved in dealing with a well
control incident.
Use a flow chart or organigram to show the key people typically involved in
dealing with a well control incident.
7A 7A.05 The importance of teamwork to deal with
a kick.
Describe the co-operation needed with the Driller, Toolpusher, Company
Representative, Mud Engineer, Data Loggers, Drilling Engineer and possible
authorities.
7B 7B.01 General well kill philosophy. Describe the principles of well control kill methods.
7C 7C.01 Real life examples - Macondo. Use examples to show that well control incidents happen during other phases
of well construction than drilling.
7C 7C.02 Industry techniques to deal with a
blowout.
Use pictures and diagrams to explain some of the common techniques used
in the industry to deal with a blowout, including capping and drilling relief
wells.
7C 7C.03 The prevention of incidents in well
control.
Explain industry response and the role of IWCF. Explain well control training
levels.
7C 7C.04 How you can help to prevent well control
incidents.
Identify your role or responsibility in a well control incident.
HOW WELL CONTROL EVENTS CAN OCCUR AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES (continued)
Well monitoring, kicks, shut-in
Well kill methods
Well control in practice
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