Well Control Training & Assessment

Sample Driller-Level Questions

The questions in the document are a sample of Driller level questions that will
be included in the testing database.

These questions are still under review by an industry committee and may
therefore be revised.

Please use the Acronyms and Glossary of Terms document to assist with the
terminology in use.

Rev. 0 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

1. What is the correct definition of Porosity?

a. The ability of formation fluids to move through the rock.
b. The amount of solid rock in the formation.
c. The amount of pore space in the rock.
d. The pressure of the fluid in the pore space.

2. What is the correct definition of a kick?

a. An uncontrolled flow of formation fluids at the surface.
b. An influx of formation fluids downhole.
c. The increase in shut in pressure due to gas migration.
d. The increase in pressure on bottom when the pumps are
started.

3. Which of the following best describes fracture pressure?

a. The pressure in excess of mud hydrostatic that is likely to
cause losses at the casing shoe.
b. The total pressure applied at the shoe that is likely to cause
losses.
c. The maximum bottom hole pressure allowed during a kill
operation.
d. The maximum pressure allowed on the drillpipe gauge
during a kill operation.

4. Hydrostatic Pressure is:

a. The viscosity of a stationary column of fluid.
b. The force exerted by a column of fluid at rest.
c. The measured depth of a stationary column of fluid.
d. The force applied with Annular Pressure Loss.

5. When you shut in a well after a kick, it can take 5-10 minutes or
longer for the pressures to build-up. What affects the time of this
build-up?
a. The friction losses
b. Gas migration
c. The formation porosity
d. The formation permeability

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

6. What is the primary way to prevent a kick?

a. Close in the well with the BOPs.
b. Monitor the pit levels and flow rate to recognize a kick.
c. Take regular slow circulating rate pressures.
d. Use mud hydrostatic to balance the fluid pressure in the
formation.

7. The following information was recorded, while drilling ahead.

True Vertical Depth (TVD) Mud Weight - 10.5 ppg
- 13,205 feet
Measured Depth (MD) - Formation Fluid Gradient
13,970 feet at bottom of the hole -
0.5564 psi/foot

What is the situation at the bottom of the hole?

a. Overbalanced
b. Balanced
c. Underbalanced

8. What is the hydrostatic pressure of an 11.6-ppg fluid at 7,200 feet.

MD (6,250 feet. TVD)?
a. 4,343 psi
b. 3,007 psi
c. 3,770 psi
d. 4,200 psi

9. TVD = 6,700 ft.
MD = 7,500 ft.


Mud weight = 9.4 ppg
Annular Pressure Loss = 210 psi
Calculate equivalent circulating density (ECD).
a. 10 ppg
b. 9.7 ppg
c. 9.5 ppg
d. 9.9 ppg

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 3 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

10. You circulate a light mud pill with the pumps running continuously.
When will the bottom hole pressure start to decrease? (Ignore the
dynamic pressure losses in the well.)
a. As soon as the pill starts to be pumped down the drill string.
b. After all the pill is pumped inside the drill string.
c. Once the pill starts to be displaced into the annulus.
d. After all the pill is in the annulus.

11. Before pulling out of the hole you pump a slug. After displacement
you line up on the trip tank.
Slug Size 25 bbls
Slug Weight 12 ppg
Mud Weight 10 ppg
Pipe Capacity .01776 bbls/ft.

Calculate how much mud would return to the trip tank.

a. 5 bbls
b. 10 bbls
c. 3 bbls
d. 6 bbls

12. During normal drilling operations 30 bbls of light mud is pumped

into the string followed by original mud. The Driller shuts down the
pump to observe the well with light mud still inside the drillpipe.
Well Depth (TVD) = 9, 000 feet
Drill pipe capacity = 0.01776 bbls/ft
Original mud weight = 12 ppg
Light mud weight = 10 ppg

How does this operation affect bottom hole pressure?

a. Bottom hole pressure will remain the same.
b. Bottom hole pressure will increase 176 psi.

c. Bottom hole pressure will decrease by 176 psi.

13. The equivalent circulating density (ECD) determines the actual

bottom hole pressure while circulating.
Which part of the system pressure losses is used to calculate ECD?
a. The pressure loss in the annulus.
b. The pressure loss in the open hole section only.
c. The pressure loss across the nozzles.
d. The pressure loss in the drill string.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 4 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

14. When pumping at 80 SPM the pump pressure = 4000 psi. What
would be approximate pump pressure if pumps were slowed to 40
SPM?
a. 500 psi
b. 800 psi
c. 1,000 psi
d. 2,000 psi

15. What is Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP) defined as?

a. The total pressure felt at the bottom of the hole when either
pumping or not pumping.
b. The total pressure felt at the bottom of the hole when either
pumping or not pumping.
c. The total pressure felt at the bottom of the hole when not
pumping.
d. The total pressure felt at the bottom of the hole when
pumping.

16. Why is it important to maintain the correct Bottom Hole Pressure

(BHP)?
a. If BHP decreases then the well can kick.
b. If BHP decreases the well may lose mud to the formation.
c. If BHP increases we increase the risk of a kick.
d. If BHP is not allowed to increase when drilling a transition
zone we increase the risk of losses.

17. What is the immediate effect of swabbing?

a. There is a reduction in bottom hole pressure.
b. There is a kick.
c. There are losses.
d. There is an increase in bottom hole pressure.

18. What can increase surge pressures when you are running in the
hole?
a. A small annular clearance.
b. Large bit nozzles.
c. Low gel strength mud.
d. A large annular clearance.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

19. Given the following information, calculate the volume inside 100
stands of drill pipe
Drill Pipe OD 5.0 inches
Drill Pipe ID 4.276 inches
Drill pipe length 94 feet/stand
a. 228.4 bbls
b. 167.0 bbls
c. 6.6 bbls
d. 1.7 bbls

20. Give the following information; calculate the displacement if 5

stands of drill pipe are run in the hole with a solid float.
Drill Pipe OD 5 inches
Drill Pipe ID 4.276 inches
Drill pipe length 94 feet/stand
a. 2.3 bbls
b. 8.3 bbls
c. 11.4 bbls
d. 1.7 bbls

21. Which of the following is a definition of MAASP?

a. The pressure in excess of mud hydrostatic that, if exceeded,
is likely to cause losses at the shoe.
b. The maximum pressure allowed in the hole during a kill
operation.
c. The maximum pressure allowed on the drill pipe gauge
during a kill operation.
d. The total pressure applied at the shoe that is likely to cause
losses.

22. What will happen to Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure

(MAASP) if Mud Weight is increased?
a. MAASP will stay the same.
b. MAASP will increase.
c. MAASP will decrease.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

23. When should you do a Leak Off Test?

a. Before drilling out the casing shoe.
b. Before running the casing.
c. Immediately after running and cementing the casing.
d. After drilling out the casing shoe and 5-15 feet of new
formation.

24. When should you recalculate the Maximum Allowable Annular

Surface Pressure (MAASP)?
a. At the beginning of each tour.
b. Immediately before entering a reservoir.
c. After each bit change.
d. After changing the Mud Weight.

25. If the well is flowing at a connection and you suspect the well is
“ballooning.” What is the first action that the Driller must take?
a. Measure the time it takes for 5 bbls of mud to flow into the
trip tank, and then shut in the well.
b. Complete the connection and go back to circulating speed to
stop the flow.
c. Shut in the well, call supervisor and record pressures and
pit gain.
d. Stop further drilling and circulate bottoms-up at the slow
pump rate.

26. In a well with gas-cut mud, when is the reduction in bottom hole
pressure greatest?
a. When the gas is at the Casing Shoe.
b. When the gas is at the bottom of the hole.
c. When the gas at the top of the well.
d. When the gas is half way up the open hole section.

27. Swabbed gas from a trip is allowed to expand as it is circulated up-

hole. What effect will this expansion have on bottom hole pressure?
a. Bottom hole pressure will stay constant as the gas is
circulated up-hole.
b. Bottom hole pressure will increase as the gas is circulated
up-hole.
c. Bottom hole pressure will decrease as the gas is circulated
up-hole.
d. Bottom hole pressure will decrease as the gas is circulated
up to the casing shoe, then it will stay constant.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

28. What is the correct definition of ‘gas migration’?

a. The flow of gas through the Mud Gas Separator.
b. Formation gas that enters the well during a connection.
c. The process of gas expanding as it is circulated up-hole.
d. Uncontrolled movement of gas up-hole due to its low
density.

29. Why are gas kicks more difficult to detect in oil-based fluids than in
water-based fluids? 

a. Oil is less dense than water.
b. Most gas is not soluble in water-based fluids.
c. The mud in the well has no effect on detecting a gas kick.
d. Gas is very soluble in oil-based fluids.

30. If the shut-in pressures are 600 psi SIDPP and 800 psi SICP and both
start rising slowly when weighting up the mud, what type of influx is
in the well?
a. Gas
b. Oil
c. Fresh water
d. Salt water

31. You are circulating bottoms-up due to swabbing from 8,000 feet.
Water Depth is 5000 feet. It is decided to shut in the Annular and
circulate up the choke line. What is the reason for this action?
a. To reduce risk of having gas in the Riser.
b. To prevent the gas from expanding as it is circulated up-
hole.
c. To allow SPM to be increased to reduce circulating time.
d. To minimize pressure on the casing shoe.

32. While drilling a long horizontal section of a well, a 10 bbl pit gain
was observed and the well was shut in. After shut in, it was noted
that SIDPP and SICP were approximately the same. What can we
determine from these pressures?
a. Influx is in the horizontal section of the well.
b. This is probably ballooning.
c. This is a salt-water influx.
d. This is probably a result of surging the well.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

33. You are tripping a tapered string out of the well. The larger
diameter pipe is in the upper part of the string. What will happen to
the trip tank volume as the ‘slug’ is being displaced into the smaller
diameter pipe?
a. The Trip tank reading will indicate surging if the large
diameter pipe displacement is used on the trip sheet.
b. The Trip tank reading will indicate swabbing if the large
diameter pipe displacement is used on the trip sheet.
c. Trip tank will show same rate of change for both pipe
diameters.
d. There will be no change in trip tank level until all the slug
has been displaced into the small diameter pipe.

34. What affect does increasing temperature have on mud weight?

a. It will reduce the mud weight.
b. It will increase the mud weight of water base muds.
c. It will increase the mud weight of oil base muds.
d. There is no effect while drilling.

35. When out of the hole to change the Bit the mud in the Riser cools
due to sea temperature. How will the change in temperature affect
the mud weight?
a. The mud weight will probably increase.
b. The mud weight will probably decrease.
c. The mud weight will not be affected by temperature.

36. Your Shakerhand is taking oil-based mud weight readings with an

atmospheric Mud Balance. What would the mud weight readings be
if a pressurized mud balance were used?
a. Mud weight readings would be higher.
b. Mud weight readings would be lower.
c. Mud weight readings would be lower.

37. Why is it important to inform the Driller when starting or stopping

the De-Sander or De-Silter?
a. Pit volume will change.
b. Mud viscosity will be reduced.
c. Shakers will need to be by-passed.
d. Flow Rate will increase from the well.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

38. Why is it important to measure the weight and viscosity of the fluid
at the shakers?
a. It provides information about mud properties and the
general well condition.
b. It informs Mud Engineer when to do mud tests.
c. It makes sure the well plan’s mud program is followed.
d. It is more important to measure the weight and viscosity
after the Shakers.

39. There are four (4) Mud Pits, each measuring 9 feet x 12 feet x 8 feet
deep.
Fluid depth is 6 feet in each pit.
Volume = (Length x Width x Depth) / 5.615
How many barrels of mud in the surface tanks?

a. 462 bbls
b. 154 bbls
c. 411 bbls
d. 137 bbls

40. Why is it important for the Driller to know when mud is being
transferred into or out of the active system?
a. To recognize if there are gains and losses due to a kick or
lost circulation.
b. To know when to operate the pit agitators to prevent Barite
falling out of the mud.
c. To line up returns through the Desilters to improve mud
mixing.
d. To start bottoms-up circulation to clean the hole before new
mud is pumped.

41. You are drilling ahead with a 12¼-inch Bit with an average ROP of
95 feet/hour. For the last 20 minutes there has been no change to
the pit level. What action would you take?
a. Continue drilling all is good.
b. Prepare to mix LCM as you may be losing some mud to the
formation.
c. Increase WOB now that ROP is stable.
d. Consider making a flow check to check why pit volume is
stable.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 10 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

42. Why do we kill the well at a slower SPM (strokes per minute)?
a. To kill the well in a short time.
b. To prevent bursting the casing.
c. To allow choke operator time to react during a well kill.
d. To determine pump rate to displace cement.

43. Where do you record Slow Circulating Rate (SCR) pressure?

a. Record pressure at the mud pump gauge.
b. Circulate through the Choke Manifold with a fully open
choke.
c. With one mud pump only.
d. Record pressure at the Choke control panel.

44. Why do we take Choke Line Friction (CLF) pressure?

a. To calculate increase in Initial Circulating Pressure (ICP).
b. To calculate Kill Mud Weight.
c. To calculate Initial and Final Circulating Pressures
(ICP/FCP).
d. To help compensate for choke line friction when starting to
a well kill.

45. How do you take a Choke Line Friction (CLF) pressure?

a. Circulate the well through a full open choke with the BOP
open and record the pressure on the static kill line.
b. Circulate down the choke line and up the riser with the BOP
open and record the pressure.
c. Circulate down the kill line and up the choke line. The CLF is
twice the recorded pressure.
d. Circulate down Riser Boost line and up the choke line.

46. What are typical Slow Circulating Rates (SCR’s)?

a. Between 1 and 4 barrels per minute.
b. 75% of drilling pump rate.
c. Same as drilling pump rate.
d. Between 75 and 95 strokes per minute (SPM).

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

47. Well Data:

Hole Dimensions
Depth (TVD) 12,090 feet
9 5/8" Casing shoe 8,800 feet
Hole size 8½ inch
Current mud weight 13.5 ppg
Internal Capacities
6 1/2" Drill collars (length 900 feet) 0.00768 bbl/foot
5" Drill pipe - capacity 0.01776 bbl/foot
5" Drill pipe - metal displacement 0.00650 bbl/foot
5" Drill pipe- closed end displacement 0.02426 bbl/foot
Annular Capacities
Open hole / Drill collar 0.0292 bbl/foot
Open hole / Drill pipe 0.0459 bbl/foot
Casing / Drill pipe 0.0505 bbl/foot
LOT
Mud weight 12 ppg
Leak off pressure 2700 psi
Pump Details
Pump Output 0.109 bbl/stk
SCR at 40 SPM 550 psi
Shut in data
SIDPP 200 psi
SICP 600 psi
Pit gain 15 bbls

Calculate:

a. Maximum allowable mud weight ppg

prior to kick

b. MAASP prior to kick psi

c. Strokes from surface to bit strokes

d. Strokes from bit to shoe strokes

e. Strokes from Bit to Surface strokes

f. Kill mud weight ppg

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 12 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

48. Well Data:

Hole Dimensions
Depth (TVD) 12,090 feet
9 5/8" Casing shoe 8,800 feet
Hole size 8½ inch
Current mud weight 13.5 ppg
Air gap 80 feet
Water depth 740 feet
Internal Capacities
6 ½ " Drill collars (length 900 feet) 0.00768 bbl/foot
5" Drill pipe - capacity 0.01776 bbl/foot
5" Drill pipe - metal displacement 0.00650 bbl/foot
5" Drill pipe- closed end displacement 0.02426 bbl/foot
Choke line 0.006 bbl/foot
Marine riser 0.39 bbl/foot
Annular Capacities
Open hole / Drill collar 0.0292 bbl/foot
Open hole / Drill pipe 0.0459 bbl/foot
Casing / Drill pipe 0.0505 bbl/foot
LOT
Mud weight 12 ppg
Leak off pressure 2700 psi
Pump Details
Pump output 0.109 bbl/stk
SCR (riser) at 40 SPM 550 psi
SCR (choke line) at 40 SPM 850 psi
Shut in data
SIDPP 200 psi
SICP 600 psi
Pit gain 15 bbls

Calculate:

a. Maximum allowable mud ppg

weight prior to kick

b. MAASP prior to kick psi

c. Strokes from surface to bit strokes

d. Strokes from bit to shoe strokes

e. Strokes from Bit to Surface strokes

f. Kill mud weight ppg

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 13 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

49. What is the main reason for flushing the choke and kill lines?
a. To measure the slow circulating rate.
b. To prevent blockages due to settling of mud solids.
c. To help read accurate shut in pressure during a well kill
operation.
d. To lubricate the failsafe valves.

50. What is meant by abnormal pressure?

a. The excess pressure due to circulating mud at high rates.
b. The excess pressure that needs to be applied to cause “leak-
off.”
c. Heavy weight mud used to give an overbalance.
d. The formation fluid pressure is greater than formation
water hydrostatic pressure.

51. What must the drill-crew member in the pits or shakers do if they
see a change in mud weight, viscosity or mud level?
a. Inform the Driller immediately of the changes.
b. Continue monitoring the mud to see if the change continues.
c. Inform the Mud Engineer when he makes his normal checks.
d. Add base-oil or water to the mud system.

52. How could the Driller recognize if a lighter mud weight is being
pumped into the well?
a. Decrease in Hook Load.
b. Gradual increase in pump pressure as mud is pumped down
the drill string.
c. Gradual decrease in pump pressure as mud is pumped down
the drill string.
d. Increased flow rate at a connection due to u-tube effect.

53. You are pumping a heavy mud pill into the drillstring. When will
bottom hole pressure start to increase (ignore dynamic pressure
losses in the well)?
a. Once all the pill is in the annulus.
b. Once the pill starts to be displaced into the annulus.
c. As soon as the pill is pumped into the drillstring.
d. Once all the pill is inside the drillstring.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 14 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

54. The flow sensor shows a total loss of returns and the mud level
cannot be seen in the annulus. What immediate action should the
Driller take?
a. Shut the well in and pump lost circulation material.
b. Fill the annulus with water (or lightest mud available) and
record volume.
c. Pump at reduced rate adding lost circulation material.
d. Continue drilling ahead cautiously.

55. You are tripping out without filling the hole. How does this affect
mud level and bottom hole pressure (BHP)?
a. Mud level will drop and BHP will decrease.
b. Mud level will drop and BHP will increase.
c. Mud level and BHP will stay constant.
d. Mud level will rise and BHP will drop.

56. You are ready to pull out of the hole “dry” and shall monitor the trip.
How much mud should be added to the well?
a. A volume of mud to replace the volume of metal pipe
removed.
b. A volume of mud to replace the internal capacity of the pipe
removed.
c. A volume of mud to replace the open hole volume of an
equal length of pipe.
d. One barrel per stand of drill pipe and two barrels per stand
of collars.

57. You have tripped 10 stands into the well. The volume of mud that
has entered the trip tank is 5 bbls greater than the displacement you
calculated. What does this indicate?
a. An influx of formation fluid has entered the well.
b. You are losing drilling fluid to the formation.
c. This is not an indication of any downhole problem.
d. You should increase your trip speed.

58. What is a definition of swabbing?

a. Increase in bottom hole pressure when the pipe is raised.
b. Decrease in bottom hole pressure when the pipe is raised.
c. Increase in bottom hole pressure when the pipe is lowered.
d. Decrease in bottom hole pressure when the pipe is lowered.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 15 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

59. On the following sample trip sheet, identify the first abnormal fill-up
that occurred (Each Stand Group pulled = 5 stands and has a
calculated displacement of 3.78 bbls).
Stand Trip Measured Calculated Difference Cumulative
Group Tank Hole Fill Hole Fill Difference
# Volume (bbls) (bbls) (bbls) (bbls)
(bbls)
1 51 3.8 3.78 + .02 + .02
2 47.2 3.9 3.78 + .12 + .14
3 43.3 3.5 3.78 - .28 - .14
4 39.8 3.5 3.78 - .28 - .42
5 36.3 3.2 3.78 - .58 - 1.0
6 33.1 3.0 3.78 - .78 - 1.78

a. Stand Group 1
b. Stand Group 2
c. Stand Group 3
d. Stand Group 4
e. Stand Group 5

60. Casing is run in the hole with a non-return float assembly without
being filled. With the Shoe at 3000 feet the float assembly fails and
mud u-tubes up inside the casing. What will happen to the BHP?
a. BHP will decrease.
b. BHP will increase.
c. BHP will stay the same due to the u-tube effect.

61. You are running casing with a self-fill float assembly. How would
you know that the self-fill assembly was plugged and the casing was
not filling?
a. Trip monitoring would show increased returns from the
well.
b. Trip monitoring would show decreased returns from the
well.
c. Hook load would increase by buoyed weight of the steel run
in the hole.
d. You would not be able to rotate the casing.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

62. The well is full of 12.2ppg mud. A 500-foot cement plug is set and
tested. If the mud above the plug is replaced with 10.2 ppg Brine
what will happen to the differential pressure across the cement
plug?
a. Pressure differential will increase.
b. Pressure differential will decrease.
c. Pressure differential will be zero.

63. The well is full of 12.2ppg mud. A 500-foot cement plug is set and
tested. The mud above the plug is replaced with 10.2 ppg Brine. If
the cement plug failed, what direction would fluid move across the
cement plug?
a. Pressure from below would cause fluid to move up.
b. Pressure from above would cause fluid to move down.
c. Fluid would not move across the plug as the pressure
differential is zero.

64. You are drilling ahead on a floating rig and the wellhead connector
is accidently unlatched.
Rig Floor to Mudline = 2,450 feet
Water Depth = 2,390 feet
What will happen to the bottom hole pressure?
a. BHP will decrease by seawater hydrostatic.
b. BHP will decrease by Riser mud hydrostatic.
c. BHP will stay the same as seawater will balance riser mud
weight.
d. BHP will decrease by Riser mud hydrostatic minus seawater
hydrostatic.

65. You are circulating bottoms up after a trip through a gas reservoir.
Oil-based mud is in the well. Water Depth = 6570 feet. What can
affect bottom hole pressure during the circulation?
a. Break-out of gas in the Riser causing mud to unload.
b. Increase in pressure as gas breaks-out of the mud in the
Riser.
c. Increase in pressure as cuttings are circulated out of the
well.
d. Risk of Riser burst allowing seawater to reduce hydrostatic.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

66. Which one of the following is NOT classed as a ‘barrier’?

a. Pipe Ram
b. Mud hydrostatic pressure
c. Drill string Float
d. Full Opening Safety valve

67. Before cutting the drilling line, with the bit at the casing shoe, which
item of equipment must be installed to make the operation safe?
a. Circulating head.
b. Full opening safety valve.
c. Inside blowout preventer.
d. Full opening safety valve and an inside blowout preventer.

68. What is a “negative” test?

a. A test on a barrier where the pressure on the formation side
of the barrier is greater than the pressure on the upstream
wellbore.
b. A test on a barrier where the pressure on the formation side
of the barrier is less than the pressure on the upstream
wellbore.
c. A test on a barrier where the pressure on the formation side
of the barrier is equal to the pressure on the upstream
wellbore.

69. Which two-barrier combination is not considered independent?

a. A tubing plug set downhole and a backpressure valve in the
hanger.
b. Kill weight mud in the well and the blow out preventer.
c. An Annular and a Ram on a BOP stack.
d. A cemented shoe track over a non-hydrocarbon bearing
zone and a casing bridge plug.

70. You are killing a well on a floating rig. How do you monitor the
pressure integrity of the closed BOP?
a. Monitor the mud level in the Riser with the Trip Tank.
b. Lock the BOP and monitor closing pressure.
c. Close Diverter and monitor for flow overboard.
d. Circulate Riser to kill mud weight and monitor for changes
in pit level.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

71. What can cause the well to go underbalance in top-hole formations?

a. Normally pressured formations.
b. High pressure shallow gas formations.
c. Pumping out of the hole on trips.
d. Regularly pumping high viscosity ‘sweeps’ to keep the hole
clean.

72. What is the definition of the term ‘shallow water flow’?

a. Water or water and sand entering the well from top-hole
formations.
b. Increase in mud chlorides measured at the Shakers.
c. Density of seawater acting on the wellbore.
d. A warning sign of a shallow gas flow entering the wellbore.

73. The drawing shows a basic diverter system. The wind direction is
from starboard to port (right to left). Items B and C are normally
closed when drilling. Select the correct operating sequence for
safely diverting the well.
Wind Direction

a. Open C: Close D: Close A

b. Close D: Close A: Open B
c. Open B: Close D: Close A
d. Open C: Close A: Close D

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

74. Formation strengths are generally weak when you drill top hole and
you may get total losses. How can you minimize this risk?
a. By pumping slowly to reduce the drill string pressure loss.
b. By keeping a high overbalance.
c. By controlling the penetration rate to prevent loading the
annulus with cuttings.
d. By circulating returns up the choke line.

75. Which of the following is a ‘bottoms-up’ warning sign that the

formation pressure is increasing?
a. Drilling break.
b. Change in torque or drag.
c. Decrease in circulating pressure with an increase in pump
rate.
d. Increase in connection, trip, or background gas.

76. Which of the following is a ‘real time’ warning sign that the
formation pressure may have increased?
a. Drilling break.
b. Increase in connection, trip, or background gas.
c. Change in cutting size, volume, or shape.
d. Changes in mud properties.

77. What must a Driller do after a drilling break?

a. The Driller must reduce the weight on the bit.
b. The Driller must circulate bottoms-up.
c. The Driller must flow check.
d. The Driller must reduce the pump speed.

78. What drilling practice should be considered when connection gas is

recorded?
a. Increase the mud viscosity.
b. Reduce mud weight by a small amount.
c. Control ROP to keep only one slug of connection gas in the
annulus.
d. Pull out of hole and change the Bit.

79. What is a positive drilling break?

a. An increase in rate of penetration.
b. A decrease in rate of penetration.
c. A washout in the drill string.
d. The penetration of a harder formation.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

80. What is the main reason for a pit drill?

a. To test the pit and flow alarms.
b. To see how fast the Driller can line up on the trip tank.
c. To ensure the crew is able to effectively react to a kick.
d. To ensure the crew is trained to kill the well.

81. Who has the authority to shut in the well without waiting for
permission?
a. Derrickhand
b. Floorhand
c. Mud engineer
d. Driller

82. The Derrickman informs you that there has been a 10 bbl increase
in the pits over the last 30 minutes. What action should you take?
a. Carry out a flow check.
b. Ask the Derrickman to check for any mud transfers.
c. Call the Toolpusher for advice.
d. Inform the Mud Engineer.

83. Which kick indicator is normally detected first?

a. Pit gain increase.
b. Trip Tank increase.
c. Flow rate increase.
d. Pump pressure increase.

84. You run back to the shoe and carry out a slip-and-cut on the drilling
line. The operation normally takes 60 minutes. What is the best way
to monitor the well?
a. Install a FOSV, line up to trip tank, and set the alarms.
b. Line up to trip tank and set the alarms to + 2 bbls.
c. Line up to mud pits and inform Mud Logger to monitor for
gains.
d. Shut in well and record pressure every 15 minutes.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 21 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

85. Which of the following situations make it more difficult to detect a

kick with the PVT?
a. When you allow mud to overflow the shakers.
b. When you reduce the pit level alarm settings from 10 bbls to
5 bbls.
c. When you keep active mud system transfers to a minimum
whilst drilling ahead.
d. When you by-pass the solids control pits.

86. Which operations or situations on a floating rig may influence the

pit level readings when monitoring an open well?
a. Assignment of generators
b. Rig pitch and roll
c. Sea water depth
d. Riser tension

87. You have run back to the float shoe after a casing and cement job.
The instructions are to circulate the hole clean before drilling out
the shoe. Why should you monitor the pit and flow levels during this
operation?
a. The well could still flow up through the shoe.
b. To monitor for losses as any extra cement is cleaned out of
the well.
c. To determine when bottoms-up circulation is complete.
d. To monitor for thermal expansion of the cement.

88. When should the well be monitored with pit level and flow rate
instrumentation?
a. Any time there is a potential for a barrier to fail
b. Only when drilling open hole
c. During connections
d. When running in the hole

89. Which practice would lead to a bigger influx when you are shutting-
in the well?
a. Regular training for the Derrickman on the duties for
monitoring pit level.
b. Testing stab in valves during BOP tests.
c. Regular pit drills for the drill crew.
d. Calling the Toolpusher to the floor before shutting in the
well.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 22 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

90. While tripping into the hole, at 6,000 feet. a flow check proves
positive. Policy is to shut the well in using hard shut in procedure.
What is the correct procedure to shut in?
a. Stab a full opening safety valve.
Close the safety valve.
Close BOP.
Open HCR valve.
Record pressure.
b. Close the BOP.
Stab full opening safety valve.
Close the safety valve.
Open choke.
Record pressure.
c. Open HCR valve and choke.
Close BOP.
Stab full opening safety valve.
Close choke.
Record pressure.
d. Stab full opening safety valve.
Open HCR valve and choke.
Close BOP.
Close safety valve.
Record pressure.

91. The well has been shut-in and the pressures are stabilizing. What is
the first step that the Driller should take?
a. Calculate Kill Weight Fluid.
b. Record the pit gain.
c. Check the drillpipe pressure to determine formation
pressure.
d. Check the BOP equipment for leaks.
e. Make up crossover to casing, make up drill pipe and run in
hole to close BOP on drill pipe.
f. Close Pipe ram and bullhead heavy mud down annulus.

92. What is the function of Blind Rams?

a. As a back-up to the Annular.
b. To seal off the open hole.
c. To cut the drillstring and seal off the hole.
d. To hang-off the drillstring during a kill.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 23 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

93. Why is there a well kill ‘start-up’ procedure?

a. To compensate for Annular friction pressure during start-
up.
b. To allow the pumps to be increased slowly during start-up.
c. To allow choke operator to reach calculated Initial
Circulating Pressure.
d. To ensure correct bottom hole pressure is set for the kill.

94. What are some of the main supervisory responsibilities of the

Driller during a kill operation?
a. Instructing Mud Engineer of required mud weight.
b. Choosing kill method and slow pump rate.
c. Managing crew on manifold line-ups and raising mud
weight.
d. Operating the mud pump.

95. Where do you read Shut In Casing Pressure (SICP)?

a. At the casing shoe.
b. At the drill pipe gauge.
c. At the remote choke panel gauge.
d. At the mud pumps.

96. A well is shut-in with stabilized SICP of 500 psi and 180 psi on the
Drill Pipe gauge. The Driller pumped at 5 SPM until float was
bumped and pump shut down. The Casing gauge now reads 575 psi
and the drill pipe gauge reads 380 psi. What is the SIDPP?
a. 380 psi
b. 305 psi
c. 200 psi
d. 75 psi

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 24 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

97. A well is shut-in with stabilized SICP of 500psi and 0psi on the Drill
Pipe gauge. To obtain the SIDPP, the Driller pumped @ 5spm until
float was bumped and pump shut down. The gauges are now
reading the following pressures. What is the actual SIDPP?

a. 280 psi
b. 360 psi
c. 580 psi
d. 500 psi

98. The Casing pressure gauge on the Choke Control panel reads 450
psi. The Casing pressure gauge on the Choke Manifold reads 650 psi.
What action would you take?
a. Inform Supervisor and investigate difference.
b. The difference is not important, start the kill using 450 psi.
c. The difference is not important, start the kill using 650 psi.
d. Use the average pressure of 550 psi to start the kill.

99. What could happen if gas migrates after a well is shut in and
pressures have stabilized, (no float in string)?
a. Only the drill pipe pressure will increase.
b. Shut in pressures will remain constant.
c. Both drill pipe and annulus pressures will increase.
d. Only the annulus pressure will increase.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 25 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

100. You are losing mud while circulating but gaining mud when the
pumps are off. The well is shut in and you suspect the well is
ballooning. It is decided to bleed-off 20 barrels of mud back to the
pits. What is the potential danger of this bleed-off?
a. Formation fluid may be bled back into the well.
b. Bleeding back too much will increase chance of losses.
c. Wellbore will become washed-out.
d. Formation will collapse into wellbore and restrict
circulation.

101. Why is bottom hole pressure maintained constant during a well kill?
a. To prevent the influx from expanding as it is circulated up-
hole.
b. To prevent a further influx or formation breakdown during
the kill process.
c. To keep circulating pressures constant as kill mud is
pumped to the Bit.
d. To allow a high overbalance on the kicking formation.

102. You have just completed a successful pump start up and the pump is
running at kill rate. The choke gauge is stable. What gauge should
now read ICP?
a. The Drill Pipe Pressure gauge
b. The Choke Pressure gauge
c. The Kill Line Monitor Pressure gauge
d. The Accumulator Pressure gauge

103. What does the SIDPP indicate when the well is shut-in on an
underbalanced kick?
a. The difference between formation pressure and leak-off
pressure hydrostatic pressure.
b. The maximum allowable annular surface pressure (MAASP).
c. The difference between formation pressure and the
hydrostatic pressure of the mud in the drillpipe.
d. The trapped pressure caused by shutting in the well.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 26 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

105. When bringing the pumps up to kill speed the casing pressure is
allowed to increase above Shut In Casing Pressure, what will happen
to bottom hole pressure?
a. No change to downhole pressure.
b. Bottom hole pressure would decrease and possibly cause
more influx to enter the wellbore.
c. Bottom hole pressure would increase and may exceed
formation fracture.

106. Which method removes the influx from the hole before pumping kill
mud?
a. The Wait and Weight Method
b. The Drillers’ Method
c. The Volumetric Method
d. The Bullheading technique

107. What is the objective of the first circulation of the Drillers Method?
a. Circulate out influx while displacing the drill string with kill
weight fluid.
b. Circulate out influx using the original fluid weight.
c. Circulate out influx using kill weight fluid.
d. Circulate out the influx using kill weight fluid with an added
safety factor.

108. Which kill method pumps kill mud at the same time as circulating
the influx up the annulus?
a. The Wait and Weight Method
b. The Drillers’ Method
c. The Volumetric Method
d. The Bullheading technique

109. If the Rotary hose split during a kill operation, what would be the
first action to take?
a. Close the Shear Rams.
b. Prepare to reverse circulate.
c. Stop pump and close the full opening safety valve on the
drill string.
d. Close the choke.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 27 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

110. What should you do when stripping tool joints through the Annular
preventer?
a. Increase annular closing pressure to reduce leakage.
b. Decrease annular closing pressure to reduce stress on the
annular packer.
c. Close a pipe ram, open the annular and strip in hole till tool
joint is below the annular.
d. Open choke to reduce well pressure as tool joint passes
through the annular.

111. What is the danger of trapped gas in the BOP stack?

a. Gas can be released into Riser annulus when BOP is opened.
b. Circulating out trapped gas through choke line will overload
mud-gas separator.
c. Excess pressure in trapped gas may cause lost circulation.
d. The kill line cannot be used to during start-up procedure.

112. A well kicks with the bit off bottom and you shut it in. A decision is
made to strip back into the hole. What equipment needs to be on the
top of the drill string before stripping in the hole?
a. A full opening safety valve (closed).
b. An inside BOP.
c. A full opening safety valve (open) with an inside BOP
installed on top.
d. An inside BOP with a full opening safety valve (closed) on
top.

113. The well has been circulated to kill mud. What will happen if the
BOP is opened with old mud in the Riser?
a. Bottom hole pressure will decrease.
b. Shoe pressure will increase.
c. Bottom hole pressure will increase.
d. Maximum allowable annular surface pressure will be
exceeded.

114. What can happen to the hydrostatic pressure of a column of cement

as it sets?
a. Hydrostatic pressure increases.
b. Hydrostatic pressure decreases.
c. Hydrostatic pressure stays the same.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 28 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

115. Why do you monitor flow rate and pit level change when pumping
and displacing cement?
a. To detect for gains or losses.
b. To monitor for correct displacement of the cement.
c. To indicate when to cement u-tube is balanced.
d. To indicate that the cement displacement is in ‘turbulent’
flow.

116. A well kill operation is in progress. You are coming to the end of
your shift, what instructions would you give to your crew?
a. Instruct them to write down the key points of their
handover and hand to the new crew.
b. Instruct them to write down the key points of their
handover and give to you. You will pass them on to the new
Driller.
c. Instruct them to write down the key points of their
handover and to discuss each point with their replacement.
d. Think about what you will tell your replacement at the end
of the shift.

117. What is the main function of a diverter?

a. To shut in a shallow kick.
b. To direct formation fluids a safe distance away from the rig
floor.
c. To create a back pressure sufficient to stop formation fluids
entering the wellbore.
d. To act as a backup system if the annular preventer fails.

118. Which of the following factors limit the success of diverter

operation from a floating rig?
a. Low Slip Joint air pressure
b. Diverter line valve open downwind
c. Mud pumps running, pumping mud to the bottom of the
well
d. Diverter Lock-Down Dogs in lock position

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 29 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

119. Which of the following statements about fixed bore ram type BOPs
is correct?
a. Ram type BOP's are designed to contain and seal Rated
Working Pressure from above the closed rams as well as
from below.
b. Fixed bore ram type BOPs can close and seal on various pipe
sizes.
c. Fixed bore ram type BOPs cannot be used to hang off the
drill string.
d. Ram type BOPs are designed to contain Rated Working
Pressure only from below the closed rams.

120. Select the correct definition of the “Closing Ratio” of a ram

preventer.
a. Operating pressure required to close the ram against
maximum wellbore pressure.
b. Operating pressure required to close the ram against a
specific wellbore pressure.
c. Operating pressure required to close the ram at BOP Rated
Working Pressure.
d. Ratio of the packer area against the piston rod area.

121. During a routine test on a surface stack rig, it is noticed that the
weep hole (drain hole/vent hole) on one of the blowout preventer
bonnets is leaking fluid. What action should be taken?
a. The weep hole only checks the closing chamber seals, leave
it till the next maintenance schedule.
b. Ram packing elements on the ram body are worn out,
replace immediately.
c. Primary ram shaft seal is leaking, secure the well and
replace immediately.
d. Energize emergency packing. If leak stops, leave it till the
next maintenance schedule.

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 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

122. Which of the following gauges on remote panel would you expect to
see a reduction in pressure when the annular preventer is being
closed?
a. Accumulator gauge and Annular pressure gauge.
b. Manifold pressure gauge and Annular pressure gauge.
c. Air pressure gauge and Annular pressure gauge.
d. Annular pressure gauge only.

123. Why are Ram locking devices fitted to subsea BOP stacks?
a. Stop the ram from closing if hydraulic pressure is lost.
b. Give extra closing force during ram closure.
c. Lock the ram in the closed position to support drillpipe
when hung off.
d. To prevent wear on the Ram Shaft packing.

124. Select the statement that is correct for pilot signals on a hydraulic
control unit?
a. Pilot signals vent at the seabed.
b. Pilot signals are used monitor fluid flow to selected
operating chambers.
c. Pilot signals operate the SPM valves.
d. Pilot signals are used to close the BOPs.

125. To what pressure must the Drill string safety valves be tested?
a. To the current bottom hole pressure.
b. 50% of the Ram test pressure.
c. To the same pressure as the BOP.
d. To the same RWP as the Kelly/top drive.

126. The well kicks when tripping. What statement is true if a non-return
valve is stabbed into the string?
a. Easier to stab if strong flow is encountered up the drill
string.
b. Must not be run in the hole in the closed position.
c. Has to be pumped open to read Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure.
d. Has potential to leak through the open/close key.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 31 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

127. Which of the following equipment may warn of an increase in

formation pressure?
a. Pump pressure gauge
b. SPM counter
c. Mud-Gas detector
d. Return flow meter

128. If the air pressure gauge was reading zero. Which one of these
statements is correct?
a. The annular preventer can still be operated from the remote
panel.
b. Choke and kill lines can still be operated from the remote
panel.
c. No BOP functions can be operated from the remote panel.
d. All functions on the remote panel will operate normally.

129. Which gas do you use to pre-charge the accumulator bottles on a

BOP Hydraulic Control Unit?
a. Air
b. Nitrogen
c. Oxygen
d. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

130. You close a Ram on the remote panel. The Ram close light
illuminates but you notice that the accumulator pressure has
remained static. What has happened?
a. No air pressure at the panel.
b. The 3-position Ram valve on the accumulator has not
moved.
c. Possible blockage in the line between the accumulator unit
and BOP stack.
d. Master valve not held down for 5 seconds.

131. You operate the Annular preventer and the close light does not
illuminate but the pressure drops and then returns to normal. What
has happened?
a. Master valve was not operated.
b. 3-position valve did not operate.
c. Close line is blocked.
d. Faulty light circuit or bulb.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 32 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

132. If a function is made to close the hang off rams and the fluid counter
continues to register fluid movement after the correct closing
volume has been reached. What immediate action would you take?
a. Call the subsea engineer and wait.
b. Reduce manifold pressure to slow down the leak.
c. Close another set of rams.
d. Put that hang-off ram into block position.

133. If the Driller suspects the Shut In Casing Pressure (SICP) reading on
the remote choke panel is not correct what action should be taken?
a. Compare with SICP gauge reading on the Choke Manifold
and report to Supervisor.
b. Compare with SICP gauge reading on the Standpipe
Manifold and report to Supervisor.
c. Bleed SICP back by 100psi and monitor the SICP after it has
stabilized.
d. Bleed SIDPP back by 100psi and monitor the SICP after it
has stabilized.

134. What is the main function of the choke in the overall BOP system?
a. To direct hydrocarbons to the flare.
b. To direct wellbore fluids to the mud/gas separator.
c. To shut the well in softly.
d. To hold back pressure while circulating out a kick.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 33 March 2015

 IADC’s Well Control Training & Assessment

135. In the figure below, which dimension determines the backpressure

generated within the separator?

a. The length and the inside diameter (D3) of the inlet pipe
from the buffer tank to the choke manifold.
b. The dip tube height (H2).
c. The body height (H1) and the body inside diameter (D1).
d. The derrick vent pipe height (H4) and inside diameter (D2).

136. What is the most common use of a Vacuum Degasser?

a. It is mainly used to separate gas from liquids while testing.
b. It is used as a standby in the event of the “Mud/Gas
Separator (Poor Boy)” failing.
c. It is only used while circulating out a kick.
d. It is used to remove gas after the mud has been circulated
across the shakers.

Sample Driller-Level Questions, Rev. 0 34 March 2015