IWCF launches ‘Quality Assured’ to raise the bar for global oil and gas well control training and safety

Quality Assured offers a flexible, independent endorsement for well control training that falls outside IWCF’s accreditation scope, giving providers and employers confidence in the quality, structure and relevance of their training programmes.

Zdenek Sehnal, CEO of IWCF said: “Through Quality Assured, we’re committed to ensuring the highest standards in well control training, providing consistency and empowering professionals. This goes beyond compliance; it’s about giving the sector confidence in the training they are investing in and supports a culture of continuous development and accountability across the oil and gas industry, where well control incidents can have far reaching impact on life and reputation.”

The framework is comprised of nine standards, covering everything from course design and delivery to assessment, digital learning and on-the-job training. Each standard includes defined criteria that providers must meet to achieve Quality Assured status.

Quality Assured was launched to the sector at IWCF’s members-only annual well control workshop and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Istanbul. The two-day event brought together well control specialists from across the industry to explore key challenges and opportunities in the field. Focusing on knowledge sharing, best practice and the latest advancements in well control, the event was a platform for collaboration and innovation among industry professionals.

IWCF is going live with four categories for Quality Assured:

• Well Control Specialist Topics, covering training programmes that address specific well control-related topics not covered under IWCF accreditation such as stuck pipe prevention and recovery, High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), Well Integrity Management and Human Factors.
• Operationally Embedded Training, with topics related to development programmes for drillers, supervisors, subsea engineers and intervention specialists.
• Specialist Equipment for programmes focused on the use of specific well and well control related equipment such as any item that constitutes a well barrier, either temporary or permanent.
• Continuous Learning Mechanisms for providers offering systems or tools that promote ongoing learning and assessment such as pre-course modules, pre-tests or digital platforms that allow candidates to reinforce their knowledge at any time.

The Well Academy, based in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands was a trial participant of Quality Assured. Director of Training at the centre, Jan Willem Flamma, said: “We were thoroughly impressed with the Quality Assured feedback from IWCF. The report on our Stuck Pipe Prevention & Recovery course went far beyond a simple evaluation, providing a true partnership in quality.

“The detailed strengths and constructive recommendations will be invaluable in helping us elevate our course materials and delivery, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high quality training and supporting continuous improvement for our learners.”

Training providers and employers will receive a 12-month endorsement, with renewal opportunities if Quality Assured standards are maintained. This will support vital risk reduction across the sector.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/hse/09122025/iwcf-launches-quality-assured-to-raise-the-bar-for-global-oil-and-gas-well-control-training-and-safety/