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International Well Control Forum

Level 1
Syllabus

January 2014
Version 1.0

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;

1A
1B
1C
2A
2B
2C

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

3A
3B

4A
4B
5A

6A
6B
6C

7A
7B
7C

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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus

OVERVIEW
Geology
1A

Sub Category
Identifier

Learning objective. The student will

gain an understanding of:

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

The life cycle concept

1B
1B.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.

2A

Formation pressure.

Describe the concept of hydrostatic pressure in relation to a column of fluid.

Explain the parameters which affect hydrostatic pressure.
Describe what normal formation pressure is and how it happens through
sedimentation, compaction and permeability.

1B.02

Different types of wells

1C
1C.01

2A.02

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The economics and risks involved and

shared responsibility (non-operator).

Use an example of this process which covers:

1. Explore 2. Appraise 3. Develop 4. Produce 5. Abandon.
Understand the basic concept of oil company economics and how it is a high
risk business.

1B

The lifecycle of an oilfield.

Learning outcome. The student will be able to:

Section

The "drilling window"

2B
2B.01

The concept of "the drilling window" and

what determines upper and lower limits.

How a well is drilled - from spud to completion

2C
2C.01
The basics of well construction.
2C
2C.02
The role of mud in the drilling process.

Use simple graphs of pore pressure and fracture gradients and show the
"mud weight window." Explain the choice of casing setting depths.

Describe the stages of drilling a well from top hole through to completion.
Explain cooling, lubrication, cuttings removal, prevention of formation
damage, provision of hydrostatic head and re-use.

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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus

Learning outcome. The student will be able to:

2C

Explain completion operations, the removal of the Blow Out Preventer (BOP)
and installation of the Christmas tree, well clean-up and handover.

2C.03

Completion and clean-up.

3A

3A.02

3A

3A.03

Well control equipment

3B
3B.01

The position of the wellhead and BOP in

surface stack operations and subsea
stack operations.
The components and purposes of a
surface Christmas tree.
Drilling Phase
The general layout of well control
equipment including the choke and kill
manifold, the mud-gas separator and
BOP.

Describe the differences and similarities between land rigs, tender assist
barges, offshore Jack Ups, platforms, semi-submersible drilling rigs and
drillships.
Use pictures or diagrams to show a typical BOP stack configuration.

Use a typical (local) surface tree picture or diagram to explain the purpose of
master valve(s) and production valve(s).

Use a diagram and photos to show the primary components, their location
and their basic purpose.

WELL INTEGRITY
Integrity and barriers
4A
4A.01

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DRILLING RIGS / WELL CONTROL EQUIPMENT

Different rigs
3A
3A.01
The differences and similarities between
different rigs.

Sub Category Learning objective. The student will

Identifier
gain an understanding of:
DRILLING A WELL (continued)
Understanding pressures (continued)
Section

4A

4A.02

4A

4A.03

The term "well integrity."

Explain that integrity is the prevention of the unplanned escape of

hydrocarbons.
Primary and secondary barriers using the Use envelope examples such as NORSOK D10 or pressure containment
two barrier principle and containment
boundary principle (Oil and Gas UK Well Integrity Guidelines).
envelopes.
Barrier testing.
Show an example of the validation of barriers, preferably in the intended
direction of control.

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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus

4B

4B.02

4B

4B.03

The importance of people and processes Use a model to show that 1. Design 2. Training 3. Maintenance 4. Operating
in maintaining well integrity.
Procedures (PTW 5. Data and Change Managementall have a role in
integrity.
The importance of well handover during Use examples to explain what can go wrong if information about the well is
different phases and activities associated not effectively handed over.
with the well.
The term "Management Of Change."
Explain the importance of "Management Of Change" and explain what can go
wrong without it.

WELL SERVICES (WELL INTERVENTION)

Introduction to basic well intervention techniques
5A
5A.01
Why you need intervention.

5A

5A.02

Explain briefly well integrity management and how it can be used to prevent
well control events.

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Human factors
4B
4B.01

Learning outcome. The student will be able to:

Sub Category Learning objective. The student will

Identifier
gain an understanding of:
WELL INTEGRITY (continued)
Integrity and barriers (continued)
4A
4A.04
The importance of well integrity
management during the lifecycle of the
well.
Section

Hazards.

Describe the production life of a well and explain why there is intervention,
water, corrosion and production fall-off.
Explain the temporary nature of the well services set up and hazards. Note:
incidents are often associated with well services.

HOW WELL CONTROL EVENTS CAN OCCUR AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

Well kicks and consequences during drilling
6A.01
6A
The common causes of kicks, such as
Describe the causes of increasing formation pressure (abnormal pressure
loss of primary well control, when drilling. 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
Describe the possible causes of loss of well control which is usually "failure of
control and possible solutions in
equipment."
production situations.

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IWCF Level 1 Syllabus

Learning outcome. The student will be able to:
Sub Category Learning objective. The student will
Identifier
gain an understanding of:
HOW WELL CONTROL EVENTS CAN OCCUR AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES (continued)
Consequences of loss of well control
6C
6C.01
The consequences of a blowout to the
Use examples of blowouts to explain the effects on people, the environment,
operator, community and environment.
assets and company reputation.

Section

METHODS OF PREVENTION / MITIGATION TO AVOID A WELL CONTROL INCIDENT

Well monitoring, kicks, shut-in

7A.01

7A

7A.02

7A

7A.03

7A

7A.04

7A

7A.05

The management of the fluid column.

Describe the importance of mud quality, fluid material balance in/out, dilution
and transfer.
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.
How the well is shut in and the
Describe how the well is shut in for various situations . Emphasise "shut in
importance of acting quickly.
first, call later."
Who is involved in dealing with a well
Use a flow chart or organigram to show the key people typically involved in
control incident.
dealing with a well control incident.
The importance of teamwork to deal with Describe the co-operation needed with the Driller, Toolpusher, Company
a kick.
Representative, Mud Engineer, Data Loggers, Drilling Engineer and possible
authorities.

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7A

General well kill philosophy.

Describe the principles of well control kill methods.

Well control in practice

7C
7C.01

Real life examples - Macondo.

Use examples to show that well control incidents happen during other phases
of well construction than drilling.
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.
Explain industry response and the role of IWCF. Explain well control training
levels.
Identify your role or responsibility in a well control incident.

Well kill methods

7B
7B.01

7C

7C.02

Industry techniques to deal with a

blowout.

7C

7C.03

7C

7C.04

The prevention of incidents in well

control.
How you can help to prevent well control
incidents.

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