About us

About IWCF

The International Well Control Forum (IWCF) is a not for profit membership organisation established in 1992.

Our key aim is to develop and administer well control training, assessment and certification programmes for the exploration and production sector of the oil and gas industry.

We work closely with national regulatory bodies and key industry leaders, such as the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP). Following on from IOGP’s recommendations in Report 476, new syllabi have been introduced for our Drilling Well Control and Well Intervention Pressure Control programmes. These programmes are split across five levels to provide employees with the necessary skill set for their role. By providing certified training through accredited centres IWCF want to prevent well control incidents from occurring.

IWCF programmes are delivered by a global network of accredited centres. All assessments are organised by IWCF and take place in closed book assessments. These are invigilated by independent invigilators to ensure correct practice is followed.

The History of IWCF

1982

The European Union Directorate committee representing the National Energy Ministries, Industry Trade Associations and Trade Unions formed to create common standards in well control training and certification in Europe. They recommended that a standard training syllabus was introduced with a certification programme for drilling personnel to ensure safe working practices and wellbeing.

1992

After review, the industry created a Forum to manage and develop the assessment and certification programmes. This led to the European Well Control Forum (EWCF) being established at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in The Hague, The Netherlands on the 1st of December 1992.

1994

As the organisation continued to grow, it was renamed the International Well Control Forum (IWCF) to reflect the true geographical nature of the organisation

1998

The introduction of the Well Intervention Pressure Control (WIPC) programme represented a strategic step forward for the organisation.

2000

The IWCF secured the quality management accreditation ISO: 9001, a major advance for the organisation in terms of demonstrating its operational credentials.

2003

With a decade of work behind it, IWCF had developed and maintained a certification programme in use in over 54 countries worldwide, despite the varying economic fortunes of the industry.

2008

IWCF was reporting remarkable growth in its operating envelope: from a few hundred candidates annually in its formative years to more than 13,000 – and growing.

2009

IWCF appointed its first Chief Executive, this marked the start of a process to revamp the IWCF administration processes to meet industry demands and, more broadly, to lead a cultural change across the organisation.

2017

July– Antony Quin assumed the Chief Executive role and focused on the organisation’s strategic moves to modernise, not least via the introduction of technology-led processes and practices.

September– Stichting The International Well Control Forum (a foundation established in the Netherlands in 1992) made a donation to International Well Control Forum, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) No: SC045842 under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, that has its principal office at Inchbraoch House, South Quay, Montrose, Angus, DD10 9UA.

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STRUCTURE

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Mission and Vision

Our Mission: Define, deliver and maintain the highest possible standards in well control training, accreditation and certification. Provide competency assurance and continuous development globally.

Our Vision: No risk to life, assets or the natural environment through well control incidents.

Core Values

We pride ourselves on the following core values:

Care

Integrity

Courage

Innovation