offshore well control course

[aaron 81]

Hi there all. I'm currently in the middle of changing careers and want to wrk offshore and work my way Upto DRILLER level ! I've read a lot about ppl doing there basic offshore survival courses I.e BOSIET, MIST AND MEDICAL . My question is if I take the IADC WELL CAP. Course am I more likely to Get a start than some one who only has the basic tickets ? I have no experience. Working offshore but was hoping that if I showed I was keen and went that extra mile to getting a few more tickets up from the basic greenhand it would help in the long run ! Does anybody have any ideas on this all replys will be welcome thanks very much ppl . Aaron

[Bosshogg76]

I would suggest that if you have never been on a rig floor before, that doing you're well control course would be reasonably difficult to pass. The course I attended through work assumed a working knowledge of the kit (BOP, Choke and Kill manifold, pumps etc), Drill Floor operations, equations, and be able to navigate yourself around a Kill Sheet, to be honest was more building on your knowledge than learning from the basics.

Personally I would look to get offshore, if you end up with someone like Transocean, undertake the OJT's to get yourself up to a good level of knowledge.

When you get offshore...take care of yourself

[aaron 81]

Thanks 4 the reply bosshogg , I'm planning on doing the 2 day introduction to offshore well control course. A few days b4 I take the IADC test so was hoping that I would be able to pick up a reasonable amount of information towards the test from that to take into the class ! As I said b4 I want to become a driller and as there is so many ppl out there taking just the basic bosiet and mist I wanted to try and stand out from the rest of the applicants all fighting for the entry level jobs . I'm 32 yrs old and not a lot of companies r going to be willing to take me on for a trainee place considering the amount off ppl coming through from university with degrees in drilling . Is there any other offshore courses u could recommend that would Get me noticed so I could Get a start reasonably quick ? Thanks again.

[Bosshogg76]

aaron 81 said:

Thanks 4 the reply bosshogg , I'm planning on doing the 2 day introduction to offshore well control course. A few days b4 I take the IADC test so was hoping that I would be able to pick up a reasonable amount of information towards the test from that to take into the class ! As I said b4 I want to become a driller and as there is so many ppl out there taking just the basic bosiet and mist I wanted to try and stand out from the rest of the applicants all fighting for the entry level jobs . I'm 32 yrs old and not a lot of companies r going to be willing to take me on for a trainee place considering the amount off ppl coming through from university with degrees in drilling . Is there any other offshore courses u could recommend that would Get me noticed so I could Get a start reasonably quick ? Thanks again.

That course (introduction) should be a good start as I've seen some AD's and derrickmen having huge headaches from the maths etc on the Wellcap course (mind, so did I). I went offshore at 34 after 12 years in the Womens Auxillary Ballon corps, the competition to get offshore is fierce as you say, so good luck with your goal.

As for other courses, I couldn't really say as I'm a Subsea Eng, and only venture onto the drill floor for BOP testing or when it goes tits. Sounds daft, but brush up on your knot tying, a good sheepshank and clove hitch is much better than my approach of "if you can't do knots, do lots".

Books to read:

Introduction to Well Control 2nd Edition. Published by the University of Texas
Routine Drilling Operations. Published by the University of Texas

Topics to learn about:

Pump Calcuations ie: For a triplex pump with a 12" Stroke and a 7" liner calculate the BBLs/per stroke
Drilling Fluid ie: Three functions of the drilling fluid
Pressure Dynamic:
Pressure Hydrostatic: Work out the bottom hole pressure for a well 3800ft to surface using 8.5ppg mud
Formation Strength
Causes of Kicks.
Kick Warning Signs and Indicators. Name 7 of these (I await to be corrected on this)
Shut in Procedures
Kill Methods
Equipment

Sorry ran out of energy coming up with illustrative questions, but hopefully you get the idea.

Edited by Bosshogg76 on Thursday 17th October 22:02

[der1]

OP I would be interested to hear more about this..

Whereabouts' are you doing the courses, cost etc. ?

Might help me in the future if current plans come unstuck.

cheers

[tighnamara]

aaron 81 said:

Hi there all. I'm currently in the middle of changing careers and want to wrk offshore and work my way Upto DRILLER level ! I've read a lot about ppl doing there basic offshore survival courses I.e BOSIET, MIST AND MEDICAL . My question is if I take the IADC WELL CAP. Course am I more likely to Get a start than some one who only has the basic tickets ? I have no experience. Working offshore but was hoping that if I showed I was keen and went that extra mile to getting a few more tickets up from the basic greenhand it would help in the long run ! Does anybody have any ideas on this all replys will be welcome thanks very much ppl . Aaron

Don't think doing the Well Control course will put you in front of anyone else, you ain't going to need that until you are at Assistant Driller position and by that time it will be well due for renewall.
The main thing company's will be looking for is what skills and experience you have already that will make you a good addition to their company.
Deffinetly complete all the basic courses but not too sure about Well Control, it will deffinetly give yourself some sort of understanding but may also complicate how you see the actual industry and your position.There is also areal likelihood of not passing as this is an actual exam unlike the other courses you refer too. There is also a requirment to understand the offshore systems, practices and systems.
Completing well control is something that requires an understanding of the industry by working offshore, it is not something that can be put to use by a new start.
I may be wrong.
All the best in finding a position.

[aaron 81]

tighnamara said:

Don't think doing the Well Control course will put you in front of anyone else, you ain't going to need that until you are at Assistant Driller position and by that time it will be well due for renewall.
The main thing company's will be looking for is what skills and experience you have already that will make you a good addition to their company
Deffinetly complete all the basic courses but not too sure about Well Control, it will deffinetly give yourself some sort of understanding but may also complicate how you see the actual industry and your position.There is also areal likelihood of not passing as this is an actual exam unlike the other courses you refer too. There is also a requirment to understand the offshore systems, practices and systems.
Completing well control is something that requires an understanding of the industry by working offshore, it is not something that can be put to use by a new start.
I may be wrong.
All the best in finding a position.

Thanks for your info I'm very grateful . Im hoping by taking this course that the company's will see that I'm a quick learner and that im being serious about wanting to get into the oil and gas industry, also by taking this course it might make a few company's think about fast tracking me into the role of assistant driller ? I'm just trying to make myself stand out from all the ppl who want to Get a start as a new entry with no experience ! If u can think of any other courses I could take to do that then Pls let me know . Thanks

[aaron 81]

I know its not going to be easy doing the well control test and that's why I'm doing a 2 day introduction course surface and subsea , plus ive also orderd 2 books . Introduction to well control 2nd edition and practical well control by Ron baker . In also on the internet reading and watching anything to do with the drilling side of things offshore ! I do believe if you really want things in life u have to go and fight for them and by doing all this hopefully something positive will fone of it ! Pls feel free to share your thoughts . Thanks

[jagjoe]

Hi
Offshore does not suit everyone and I have seen a number of people go through courses etc and decide they could not live the lifestyle. Remember it is as hard for those at home as you offshore. Anyway if you decide to go for it just get the minimum (BOSIET, MIST and medical) some good offers for around £1000 at Nutech. Apply to Venco, Salamis etc as a GA (general assistant) and you will get a few months work which will pay back your training costs. Then decide if it is for you and see whether you want platform work, drilling etc. Then any skills you have from onshore can be utilised offshore. I have worked offshore for many years, last 7 as OIM so feel free to PM me for any advice I can offer. Again not for everyone and that includes your family so think carefully but good luck. I enjoy it, mostly.
Regards
Joe

[Rig Monkey]

I would aim more at the entry level courses, most companies will want you to have BOSIET, MIST, Banksman and slinger and if you really want to stand out your fire fighting.

I'm 99% sure you will start out as a roustabout, then make your way to roughneck which is when you will need to start learning about it. If you hae never been offshore before, the very basics, like kick theory will seem completely alien to you. By all means keep the books and use them to reference what you are learning offshore.

Good luck with it.

I would also echo what jacjoe has said, offshore is not for everyone, especially if you have a family.