Course Schedules

Classroom 7 Sessions
Online / Live
Live

No dates scheduled

Training Course Overview

The Drilling Well Control Training Course provides advanced knowledge and practical competence required for supervisory personnel responsible for critical well control decisions. This drilling well control course strengthens participants’ ability to manage complex well control challenges, interpret technical data, and maintain safe operations during drilling activities.

This course builds a strong foundation in well control principles, pressure fundamentals, barrier management, and risk mitigation. It also enhances participants’ capability to respond effectively to abnormal well conditions, ensuring safe and controlled drilling operations.

Through a structured blend of theory, case studies, and scenario‑based exercises, participants gain deeper insight into well control equipment, kick detection, shut‑in procedures, and well kill methods. The training course also focuses on leadership and decision‑making skills essential for managing high‑pressure situations and guiding teams during well control events.

Training Course Objectives

This Drilling Well Control Training Course aims to ensure participants can confidently supervise, manage, and control drilling operations under both normal and abnormal well conditions. The course strengthens technical understanding while enhancing leadership and safety performance.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Ensure well control competency at a supervisory level
  • Strengthen kick prevention and early detection
  • Enable safe and effective well shut‑in
  • Apply appropriate well kill methods
  • Develop advanced problem‑solving skills
  • Enhance understanding of well control equipment

Designed for

This Drilling Well Control Training Course is designed for experienced drilling professionals who hold responsibility for operational decisions and well control supervision. It is ideal for individuals who must demonstrate advanced competency in managing well control situations.

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

  • Drilling Supervisors
  • Toolpushers and Senior Rig Supervisors
  • Drilling Engineers
  • Wellsite leaders involved in operational safety
  • Operations advisors and superintendents

Learning Methods

This Drilling Well Control Training Course uses a combination of proven adult learning techniques to ensure strong comprehension and retention. Participants engage in interactive lectures, technical presentations, and guided discussions that reinforce key well control concepts.

The course incorporates real‑world case studies, practical exercises, and scenario‑based simulations to build confidence in handling complex well control situations. Visual aids, videos, and structured problem‑solving activities help participants interpret data, understand equipment behavior, and apply well control methods effectively.

Hands‑on calculation exercises, kill sheet practice, and equipment familiarization sessions further support learning. This blended approach ensures participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to successfully prepare for the certification exam.

Course Content

Day 1

Foundations of Well Control

Principles and procedures

Overview 

  • Well control incidents 
  • Well control training and assessment 

Introduction to well control 

  • Hydrostatic pressure 
  • Formation pressure 
  • Fracture pressure 
  • Primary well control 
  • Secondary well control 
  • Secondary well control equipment 

Barriers 

  • Barrier concept 
  • Barrier management 

Risk management 

  • Well control and emergency drills 

Exercises and Case Study

Day 2

Kick Causes, Detection, and Shut‑In Procedures

Causes of kicks 

  • General 
  • Loss of hydrostatic pressure
  • Hydrostatic effect 
  • Gas cutting 
  • Lost circulation 
  • Swab and surge effects 
  • Tripping 

Kick warning signs and kick indicators 

  • Kick warning signs and first actions 
  • Kick indicators 
  • Shallow gas 

Circulating system 

  • Definition and principles 
  • Slow circulation rates (SCR) 
  • Fracture pressure and MAASP 

Influx characteristics and behaviour 

  • Principles 
  • Influx behaviour 

Exercises and Case Study

Shut-in procedures 

  • General principles 
  • Procedure 
  • Hang off 
  • Wireline operations 
  • Interpretations 
  • Observations 
  • Influx migration 
Day 3

Well Control Methods, Operations, and Contingency Planning

Well-control methods 

  • Principles 
  • Kill method principles 
  • Choke line friction 
  • Driller’s method and wait and weight method 
  • Kill sheet calculations (pre-tour) 
  • Perform kill sheet calculations (post kick) 
  • Volumetric methods 
  • Lubricate and bleed method 
  • Stripping 

Well control during casing and cementing 

  • Running and pulling casing and liner 
  • Cementing casing and liner
  • Shut-in procedures when running casing 

Well-control management 

  • Well control drills 

Contingency planning 

  • Recognition of problems and first actions 
  • Pressure gauge failure 
  • Mud/gas separators (mgs) 
  • Bop failure 
  • Hydrate formation 
  • Lost circulation during a well-controlled event 

Exercises and Case Study

Day 4

Well Control Equipment: Blowout Preventers

Well Control Equipment Blowout Preventers (bops)

  • Bop stack configuration 
  • Ram type preventers 
  • Blind/shear ram preventers 
  • Annular preventers 
  • Side outlet valves 
  • Connections 
  • Diverters 
Day 5

Associated Well Control Equipment & IWCF Assessment

Associated well-control equipment 

  • Inside bops (ibops) and drill pipe safety valves (dpsvs) 
  • Choke manifolds and chokes 
  • Routing of lines 
  • Manual and remote chokes 
  • Auxiliary equipment 
  • Mud gas separators (mgs) 
  • Vacuum degasser 
  • Testing 
  • Bop and equipment testing 
  • Inflow testing 
  • Bop control systems 
  • Bop control systems 
  • Subsea bop control systems 
  • IWCF Test 

The Certificate

Recognition
  • Anderson Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn more about this course

Yes. The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course can be customised and delivered exclusively for organisations seeking a tailored learning solution. Course content can be adapted to address specific business objectives, operational challenges, industry requirements, and organisational priorities. Customised training allows teams to focus on the topics most relevant to their roles while supporting wider organisational development goals.

No. The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course is open to professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. The course content is structured to provide value to both those who are new to the subject and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise. While some prior knowledge may enhance understanding of certain concepts, it is not a requirement for participation

The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course uses a variety of learning approaches to maximise participant engagement and knowledge retention. These may include expert-led presentations, practical exercises, case studies, group discussions, scenario-based activities, and collaborative learning opportunities. This approach encourages active participation and helps participants translate learning into practical workplace results.

The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course is suitable for professionals who want to expand their knowledge, strengthen their practical skills, and improve their effectiveness within their current or future roles. It is valuable for managers, team leaders, supervisors, specialists, consultants, and professionals seeking to stay current with industry developments and best practices. Whether your goal is career advancement, improved decision-making, or enhanced workplace performance, this course provides relevant knowledge and practical insights to support your professional ambitions.

If you would like additional information about the Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course, our professional support team is available to assist with course enquiries, registration guidance, group bookings, and customised training requirements. We are committed to helping you identify the most suitable learning solution for your professional development goals.

 

Participants attending the Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course gain access to valuable industry insights, practical techniques, and internationally recognised best practices. The course helps professionals improve performance, strengthen confidence, broaden their perspective, and develop skills that contribute to both personal and organisational success. It also provides an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with professionals from diverse sectors and backgrounds.

The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course combines practical knowledge, current industry practices, and expert guidance to create a highly relevant learning experience. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course emphasises practical application, enabling participants to develop skills and approaches that can be implemented directly within their organisations. This balance of knowledge and practical relevance helps participants achieve meaningful and lasting professional impact.

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course training course will receive a Anderson Certificate of Completion, demonstrating their commitment to professional development and continuous learning. This certificate provides formal recognition of the knowledge and skills gained during the course and can support professional growth and career progression.

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