Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course

Upcoming Sessions

Classroom sessions
Online sessions

Course Introduction

The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course provides essential competency development for professionals in supervisory and office‑based roles who influence operational decisions during drilling activities. This well control training course strengthens the ability to take full responsibility for well control actions, ensuring participants can confidently lead teams during routine and critical drilling operations.

This Drilling Well Control Course enhances advanced decision‑making skills, improves understanding of complex well control scenarios, and reinforces knowledge of well control equipment and safety leadership.

Participants gain the capability to manage high‑risk situations, interpret technical data, and maintain operational integrity in demanding drilling environments.

Key features of this training course include:

  • Focus on supervisory responsibilities for wellsite decision‑makers
  • Coverage of advanced well control challenges including subsea BOPs, deepwater, and HPHT wells
  • Emphasis on leadership, crisis management, and rapid decision‑making
  • Strengthened understanding of well control equipment and barrier management
  • Practical case studies and exercises to reinforce real‑world application

Objectives

This training course aims to equip participants with the advanced competencies required to lead and manage well control operations safely and effectively.

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

  • Ensure well control competency at a supervisory level
  • Strengthen kick prevention strategies and early detection capabilities
  • Execute safe and effective well shut‑in procedures
  • Apply appropriate well kill methods in various operational scenarios
  • Develop advanced problem‑solving and analytical skills
  • Enhance understanding of well control equipment and barrier systems

Training Methodology

This Drilling Well Control Training Course uses a combination of proven adult learning techniques to ensure strong comprehension and long‑term retention. Participants engage in structured lectures, interactive presentations, and guided discussions that reinforce theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Case studies, scenario‑based exercises, and video demonstrations are integrated throughout the course to simulate real‑world well control challenges. These activities help participants practice decision‑making, analyze operational data, and apply well control principles in a controlled learning environment. The methodology ensures participants gain both confidence and competence in handling complex well control situations.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is designed for experienced drilling professionals responsible for supervising and making critical decisions during well control operations. It is ideal for individuals seeking to strengthen their leadership and technical capabilities in advanced well control environments.

This training course will greatly benefit:

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

Course Outline

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

Providers and Associations

Anderson
Aztech Training
Coventry

Certificate

  • COPEX Certificate of Attendance will be provided to delegates who attend and complete the course

Material published by Copex shown here is copyrighted. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying, distribution, use, dissemination, downloading, storing (in any medium), transmission, reproduction or reliance in whole or any part of this course outline is prohibited and will constitute an infringement of copyright.

Whats Makes Copex Courses Unique?

COPEX Training is your gateway to professional growth, with over 20 years of experience turning potential into success. Each year, we deliver over 1,000 courses in 50+ countries, earning a stellar 98% satisfaction rate. Trusted by global giants like BP, the United Nations, and HSBC, we partner with top certification bodies to provide career-focused training that empowers individuals and drives organizational breakthroughs. Our mission? To transform the way professionals learn and grow in today’s fast-changing industries. Through expert insights, cutting-edge methods, and hands-on approaches, we equip you with the skills and confidence to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in your career.

Led by a passionate leadership team and supported by a network of world-class trainers, COPEX Training connects professionals worldwide with life-changing opportunities. We are committed to excellence, ensuring every participant leaves with the tools, expertise, and confidence to conquer an ever-evolving world.

Related Categories

Oil & Gas Petroleum

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ section provides quick answers to the most common questions about our services, procedures, and policies. We aim to make your experience with us as straightforward as possible. For further assistance, our support team is ready to help.

Yes, and we'd love to make that happen. COPEX  specialises in fully customised in-house training, adapting course content to align with your organisation's unique goals, culture, and industry demands. Get in touch with us directly and we'll craft the right solution for your team.

Yes, the choice is yours. The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course Training Course  runs in a traditional classroom setting across various international locations, and it's also available as a live online programme for those who prefer to learn from wherever they are. Pick the format that fits your lifestyle and schedule best.

Not at all. The Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course Training Course doors are open to everyone, regardless of your background or how many years you've been in the industry. That said, having some familiarity with the subject area can help you get even more out of the experience.

Our team is available around the clock — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — ready to answer any question you have. Whether you need help choosing the right course, completing your registration, or sorting out logistics, we're here for you.

Expect an engaging, hands-on journey — not a room full of slides and passive listening. COPEX’s delivery blends presentations with group discussions, real-world case studies, practical exercises, and collaborative workshops. The goal is simple: everything you learn, you can use immediately back at work.

You'll be in good hands. COPEX hosts its courses in premium 4-star and 5-star hotels, with professional, fully equipped training spaces designed for focus and comfort. Throughout each day, you'll enjoy refreshment breaks with coffee and snacks, plus a complimentary lunch following every session.

This Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course Training Course welcomes professionals from all walks of corporate life — whether you're a seasoned manager, an emerging team leader, a subject-matter specialist, or simply someone driven to grow in their field. If you're serious about advancing your career and deepening your expertise, this course was built with you in mind.

Absolutely. Every participant who successfully completes the Level 4 Drilling Well Control Preparatory Course Training Course earns an COPEX Certificate of Completion — a recognised mark of professional achievement. Depending on the specific course, it may also qualify for Training credits, which will be clearly noted in the course details.

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