International Well Control Forum Training
The IWCF (International Well Control Forum) is the globally recognised, independent certification body for well control competence in the drilling industry.
An IWCF certificate is a professional passport, accepted by operators, drilling contractors and service companies worldwide as proof that a candidate meets the rigorous safety standards required to work on or around a live well during drilling operations.
ROLSS Africa Solutions Ltd delivers IWCF-accredited well control training at all four levels, delivered by instructors with direct operational experience in East African and international oilfield environments.
IWCF Levels at a Glance
| Level | Title | Who It Is For |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Introductory Awareness | All oil & gas personnel requiring baseline industry knowledge — no experience required |
| Level 2 | Introductory Certificate (DWC) | Personnel new to drilling who need foundational well control understanding |
| Level 3 | Driller Level | Drillers and Assistant Drillers expected to detect, shut-in and control a well |
| Level 4 | Supervisory Level | Wellsite Supervisors, Drilling Engineers and office-based operations decision-makers |
Who Should Attend: Any personnel entering the oil and gas industry who require broad awareness of how the sector operates, what a well is, and how well control fits into the overall safety landscape. No prior experience is required.
What You Will Learn:
- Overview of the oil and gas industry, upstream, midstream and downstream
- The full life cycle of a well, exploration, drilling, production and abandonment
- Types of drilling rigs, land, jackup, semi-submersible and drillship configurations
- Fundamentals of well control during drilling operations
- Well intervention and workover concepts
- Pressure control principles during well intervention
No prior experience required, ideal for induction of new industry entrants
Who Should Attend: Personnel new to drilling operations who require a structured, foundational understanding of well control principles. A common entry requirement for non-driller rig personnel and support staff.
What You Will Learn:
- Formation pressure fundamentals and wellbore stability principles
- Causes of kicks and early warning indicators, surface and downhole
- Basic well control procedures and shut-in methodology
- Introduction to well kill methods, Driller’s Method overview
- BOP (Blowout Preventer) system components and functions
Delivery: Interactive lectures, videos, animations, group exercises and discussion
Assessment: Formal IWCF virtual examination on final session.
Who Should Attend: Drillers and Assistant Drillers who are expected to detect, shut-in and manage a well kick. This is the core operational certification for frontline well control responsibility, the industry standard for anyone with their hand on the controls.
What You Will Learn:
- Advanced kick detection, surface indicators and downhole monitoring
- Hard and soft shut-in methodology, selection and execution
- Driller’s Method and Wait & Weight kill procedures, step-by-step
- Kill sheet completion, pressure calculations and graphing
- BOP operation, pressure testing and maintenance responsibilities
- Well control during special operations, tripping, casing, cementing, LOT
Certification: IWCF Level 3 Well Control Certificate
Valid for 2 years, renewal by re-examination
Target: Drillers, Assistant Drillers, Senior Roughnecks
Who Should Attend: Wellsite Supervisors, Toolpushers, Drilling Engineers and office-based personnel who are involved in operational decision-making during well control events. Level 4 demands both deep technical knowledge and confident supervisory judgement under pressure.
What You Will Learn:
- Complex well control scenarios, extended reach, HPHT, deepwater and sour gas
- Advanced kill methodologies, Volumetric, Lubricate & Bleed, Bullheading
- Well control planning, pre-job risk assessment and contingency procedures
- Supervisory duties and decision authority during a live well control event
- Regulatory compliance, operator reporting obligations and documentation
- Coordination with emergency response teams, operators and regulatory bodies
- Post-incident investigation and lessons-learned application
Certification: IWCF Level 4 Well Control Certificate
Valid for 2 years, renewal by re-examination
Target: Wellsite Supervisors, Toolpushers, Drilling Engineers, OIMs
Accredited By Industry Leaders
Accredited By Industry Leaders