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IADC WELLSHARP - Drilling Operations Driller (Level 3) Training Course

The IADC WellSharp® Drilling Operations Driller (Level 3) course covers practical well control techniques, equipment operation, and emergency response.

Main Service Location

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Course Title

IADC WELLSHARP - Drilling Operations Driller (Level 3)

Course Duration

5 Days

Training Delivery Method

Classroom (Instructor-Led) or Online (Instructor-Led)

Assessment Criteria

Practical Assessment and Knowledge Assessment

Service Category

Training, Assessment, and Certification Services

Service Coverage

In Tamkene Training Center or On-Site: Covering Saudi Arabia (Dammam - Khobar - Dhahran - Jubail - Riyadh - Jeddah - Tabuk - Madinah - NEOM - Qassim - Makkah - Any City in Saudi Arabia) - MENA Region

Course Average Passing Rate

95%

Post Training Reporting 

Post Training Report + Candidate(s) Training Evaluation Forms

Certificate of Successful Completion

Certification is provided upon successful completion. The certificate can be verified through a QR-Code system.

Certification Provider

IADC WELLSHARP - USA

Certificate Validity

2 Years

Instructors Languages

English / Arabic

Interactive Learning Methods

2 Years

Training Services Design Methodology

ADDIE Training Design Methodology

ADDIE Training Services Design Methodology (1).png

Course Outline

1. Drilling, Workover, & Completion Plan - Awareness

  • Well Work Objectives

  • Fracture Gradients, Kick Tolerance, and Pore Pressures

  • Casing and Cementing Program

  • Fluids Program

  • Barrier Management

  • Influx and Other Gases


2. Well Control Concepts

  • Well Control Terminology and Formation Characteristics

  • Pressure, Force, Area

  • Hydrostatic Pressure and Gradient

  • Principle of U-Tube

  • Pump Pressure

  • Pressure and Equivalent Mud Weights

  • Surge and Swab Pressures

  • Equivalent Mud Weight (EMW)

  • Equivalent Circulating Density and Bottomhole Pressure

  • Capacities, Displacements, and Strokes

  • Formation Stresses and Strength

  • Maximum Anticipated Surface Pressure

  • Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure and Maximum Allowable Mud Weight

  • Ballooning

  • Gas Behavior

  • Well Control in High Angle Wells

  • Tapered Drillstring

  • Annular Friction Pressure

  • Hydrostatically Underbalanced

  • Primary Well Control for Conventional and Unconventional Overbalanced Drilling

  • Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)

  • Pipe Displacement


3. Mud & Pit Management

  • Functions and Types of Wellbore Fluid

  • Fluid Density Measuring Techniques

  • Potential Contaminants and their Effects (including Temperature)

  • Pit Management


4. Pre-Recorded Data

  • Slow Circulating Rates

  • Choke and Kill Line Friction

  • Volumes and Strokes

  • Choke and Kill Line Fluid Densities

  • Kill Sheet


5. Causes of Kicks

  • Abnormal Formation Fluid Pressure

  • Mud Weight and Contamination by Formation Fluids

  • Improper Mud Weight Control at Surface

  • Loss of Circulation

  • Tripping and Improper Hole Fill

  • Running/Pulling Liners and Casing

  • Barrier Failure

  • Riser Disconnect and Riser Gas


6. Barriers

  • Philosophy and Operation of Barrier Systems

  • Number of Barriers for Safe Operation

  • Testing Barriers

  • Pills


7. Shallow Gas, Water Flows, & Tophole Drilling

  • Definitions and Causes of Pressure in Tophole Formations

  • Causes of Underbalance in Tophole

  • Diverting Procedure

  • Tophole Drilling/Tripping Practices


8. Abnormal Pressure Warning Signs

  • Abnormal Pressure

  • Shaker Evidence

  • Changes to Mud Properties

  • Changes in Drilling Data/Parameters Trends


9. Well Control Drills

  • Pit Drills

  • Trip Drills

  • Stripping Drills

  • Choke Drills

  • Diverter Drill

  • Hang-Off Drill

  • Early Response and Empowerment to Act


10. Kick Detection

  • Well Flow with Pumps Off

  • Pit Gain

  • Flow Return Rate Increase


11. Shut-In Procedures & Verification

  • Drilling

  • Tripping

  • Out of Hole

  • Running Casing and Cementing

  • Wireline

  • Shut-In Methods

  • Blind & Blind Shear Rams

  • Diverting


12. Post Shut-In Monitoring & Activities

  • Kick Log

  • Gas Migration

  • Trapped Pressure

  • Handling Ballooning

  • Opening (Bumping) the Float Valve

  • Line-Up

  • Horizontal Well Considerations


13. Well Control Methods

  • Principles of Constant Bottomhole Pressure Methods

  • Pre-kill Planning Meeting

  • Pump Startup Procedure

  • The Driller's Method

  • The Wait and Weight Method

  • Kill Problems

  • Stripping

  • Volumetric Method

  • Lube and Bleed

  • Stack Gas Clearing Procedure

  • Displacing Riser Post Kill


14. Casing & Cementing Considerations

  • Procedures when Running or Pulling Casing

  • Cement Waiting Time

  • Monitor the Well During and After Cementing Operations

  • Cement Testing Procedure - Positive and Negative


15. Risk Management

  • Managing Change during a Well Kill


16. Equipment

  • Diverters

  • Well Control Equipment Alignment and Stack Configuration

  • BOP Stack, Stack Valves, and Wellhead Components

  • Manifolds, Piping, and Valves

  • Drillstring Valves

  • Instrumentation and Auxiliary Well Control Equipment

  • Gas Detection Equipment

  • BOP Closing Unit and Control Panels

  • Function Tests and Pressure Tests

  • Monitoring Equipment Failures/Erroneous Readings

  • Deadman, Autoshear, and Emergency Disconnect System

  • Mud-Gas Separator

  • Control Chokes (Manual and/or Hydraulic)

  • ROV Hot Stab Capability

  • Riser Gas Handling Equipment

  • Stripping and Tripping Tanks

  • Rules and Regulations

  • Understanding RCD Function and Application


17. Extract of Subsea Elements

  • Well Control Concepts

  • Barriers

  • Mud & Pit Management

  • Pre-Recorded Data

  • Causes of Kicks

  • Shallow Gas, Water Flows, and Tophole Drilling

  • Well Control Drills

  • Kick Detection

  • Shut-In Procedures & Verification

  • Well Control Methods

  • Risk Management

  • Equipment


18. Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)

  • Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)

  • Underbalanced Drilling (UBD)

  • Offline Cementing

Targeted Audience

This course is designed for:

  • Drilling personnel transitioning to driller positions

  • Experienced drillers requiring WellSharp certification

  • Assistant drillers preparing for advancement

  • Rig managers overseeing drilling operations

  • Drilling supervisors and toolpushers

  • Any personnel requiring the course

Knowledge Assessment

  • Technical terminology examination including (equipment components, pressure concepts, well control procedures)

  • Safety procedures evaluation including (emergency response, shutdown protocols, communication methods)

  • Well control calculations including (kill sheet preparation, pressure schedules, volume tracking)

  • Warning sign recognition assessment including (kick indicators, abnormal pressure signs, flow check protocols)

  • Equipment knowledge verification including (BOP components, choke manifold, inside BOP tools)

  • Regulatory requirements comprehension assessment including (IADC requirements, testing documentation)

Key Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply well control principles and calculations to routine drilling operations

  • Operate and test pressure control equipment according to industry standards

  • Implement appropriate shut-in procedures during well control events

  • Execute well kill methods following established protocols

  • Identify and respond to well control warning signs

  • Interpret pressure signals and take preventive actions

  • Maintain proper documentation during well control operations

  • Communicate effectively during emergency situations

Course Overview

The IADC WellSharp® - Drilling Operations Driller (Level 3) Training Course delivers essential instruction on well control principles and practical applications for drilling personnel. This comprehensive program follows the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) WellSharp curriculum requirements and focuses on developing the critical skills drillers need to prevent, detect, and respond to well control events effectively.


Participants will gain practical knowledge of pressure control equipment, well control calculations, shut-in procedures, and kill methods that adhere to internationally recognized standards. The course emphasizes hands-on skills development and practical decision-making to ensure drillers can maintain well control, identify warning signs, and implement appropriate responses across various drilling scenarios.

Practical Assessment

  • Kill sheet calculation and completion including (pressure schedules, stroke counting, pump efficiency)

  • Shut-in procedure demonstration including (hard shut-in, soft shut-in, pressure recording)

  • Kill method implementation including (Driller's Method procedures, pressure monitoring, circulation techniques)

  • Choke operation and pressure control demonstration including (manual choke operation, pressure maintenance)

  • Trip monitoring and fingerprinting demonstration including (trip sheet completion, flow check procedures)

  • Barrier testing and verification including (pressure testing, documentation, visual inspection)

  • Emergency response drill including (kick detection, shut-in, communication, role assignment)

Why Choose This Course?

This Training Course offers exceptional benefits for both individuals and organizations:

  • Curriculum fully aligned with IADC WellSharp requirements and industry best practices

  • Balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills development

  • Comprehensive Health & Safety, and Environment (HSE) focus throughout the training

  • Realistic scenarios based on actual well control events to build practical experience

  • Expert instructors with extensive field experience in drilling operations and well control

  • Supervised practical assessments, ensuring competency in critical well control skills

  • Focus on both regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness

  • Proven methodology for developing proficient drillers who maintain exemplary safety records

  • Interactive learning approaches addressing common challenges faced by drilling personnel

  • Current technology applications in modern well control equipment and procedures

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