Scottish Rig Inspection and training provider Aberdeen Drilling Consultants (ADC), in partnership with Aberdeen Drilling Schools (ADS), have become the first IWCF accredited online “learning to examination” provider for Level Two “Basic” Well Control training worldwide.
In response to recent major well control incidents, the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) in consultation with the IWCF (International Well Control Forum) and IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) produced a milestone report in October 2012, outlining a number of changes designed to make significant enhancements to well control training, examination and certification.
At the heart of the document was the core proposition to establish a five-tiered training environment constructed of:
o Level one – awareness;
o Level two – basic;
o Level three – driller;
o Level four – supervisor;
o Level five – engineer.
In addition, online learning was recognised as being essential in encouraging and facilitating the widest possible workforce participation in the new five-level scheme, and was therefore sanctioned as part of the learning-to-examination process for levels one and two.
According to Douglas Hay – MD at ADC, and Steve Redgrave, technical director at ADS, this initiative is a first for the well control training industry, and a move which should significantly address the current skills and competence shortage within the global workforce.
Hay: “We are delighted to be leading the way in this area which frankly constitutes a major step forward for our industry. With the digital lifestyle becoming pre-eminent worldwide we recognised early on the important contribution a competence driven, flexible online learning experience could make.
“Our collaboration with Aberdeen Drilling Schools and the subsequent IWCF accreditation has meant that at last a fully integrated online “learning to examination to certification” experience is now available for all Level Two participants anywhere in the world.”
In terms of implementation, expectations suggest that, within 12 months of issue of the OGP report (Oct 2013), accrediting bodies such as the IWCF and IADC will deliver on the OGP recommendations, with training providers following within a further 12-month period.
Aware of the significance of this major development, ADC’s Virtual Academy online learning division in partnership with Aberdeen Drilling Schools have pushed ahead to create and deliver the first online “learning to examination to certification experience” for level two basic well control anywhere in the world.
With course content accredited by the IWCF and examinations available at ADS sites around the world, ADC & ADS have delivered well over 18 months ahead of industry expectations.
According to the partners, benefits of online training are:
o Cost savings to employers in terms of candidate travel, accommodation and compensation for learning attendance.
o Flexible scheduling of learning for maximum candidate convenience.
o Reduced risk of costly re-examinations as candidates can learn at their own pace, ensuring they are fully competent before finally sitting the exam.
Redgrave added: “Aberdeen Drilling Schools led the way in well control training when it started 30 years ago. We continue to be at the forefront of drilling skills and competency training and we are proud to be part of this exciting venture.”