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Oil and Gas Well Technology Series

Stage 3 OPITO Certificate in Oil and Gas Well Technology, accredited by City & Guilds

Course overview

The Oil and Gas Well Technology series will help learners achieve a broad understanding of the operational techniques of oilwell drilling, drilling calculations, completion and wireline well-servicing. It includes the function and construction of a representative selection of tools and equipment used in the drilling, completion and wireline well-servicing of oil and gas wells, as well as guidance and practice on the calculations required during drilling operations. 

The series consists of three units, as detailed below; 

  • Oilwell drilling technology 
  • Oilwell production technology 
  • Drilling calculations. 

These self-study units enable the learners to progress through learning materials at their own pace. The study time needed will vary from per unit, and from one learner to another. We recommend between 40 - 60 hours for each unit. 

Learners can register for units individually or enrol for the complete series. Units are non-transferrable and can only be assigned to one learner. There is no registration or examination fee. In order to be registered to sit the exam, the learner must have purchased each unit. The learner has one month to complete their examination from the date that they register to complete the exam. Learners must achieve 60% or more on both sections of the examination to be successful.  

From 1st of May 2024, there is a set end date for all open learning courses. To achieve the full product certificate, all units must be completed within a five-year timeframe. Registration for exams close after this timeframe. If a learner opts to complete the full product after this five-year period, they must repurchase all units. 

Previous learners who purchased any unit(s) before 1st of May 2024, also have five years from this date to complete the full product certificate. All units within a product must be completed by 1st May 2029, to achieve the full product certificate.  

Each successful exam contributes to one OPITO unit certificate towards ‘The Certificate in Oil and Gas Well Technology' full programme, accredited by City and Guilds. The full product certificate is awarded after successful completion of all 5 units. City and Guilds no longer issue hard copy certificates and e-certificates, and are replaced by OPITO's electronic certificates. 

Materials

Units are presented in a digital workbook PDF. 

Workbooks contain: 

  • Syllabus breakdown. 
  • Training targets for learners to achieve by the end of each unit. 
  • ‘Test yourself’ questions. 
  • ‘Check yourself’ answers. 
  • Workbook activities. 
  • Chapter summaries. 

Who is this for?

The Oil and Gas Well Technology series is valuable to: 

  • Drilling rig crew members at the beginning of their career. 
  • Process operations staff requiring familiarisation with downhole technology. 
  • Experienced drilling personnel or operations staff who wish to gain a recognised qualification, or who wish to refresh their understanding of drilling technology. 
  • Managers and supervisors who need to build on their background knowledge. 
  • Administrative staff who require an introduction to the technical background, and a key to the technical language. 
  • New technical or engineering graduates. 

Exams

Learners are registered on an online assessment platform to complete their 2-hour closed book examination. This will connect to proctoring software that will record and monitor learners during their examination. The software has replaced in person invigilation to allow more flexible exam options. 

The proctoring software records all movement and audio, along with any web search made during the examination. The learner’s video, audio, and desktop are verified before launching the examination.  Printing, downloads and right click functionality are disabled for the duration of the examination. Learners are also limited to the use of one screen.  

The examination comprises two sections. Section A has 20 short questions similar to the ‘Test Yourself’ section of the workbooks. Section B comprises three questions, of which two questions must be answered. 

Pass Marks: 

60% - 74% - Pass 

75% - 84% - Credit 

85% - 100% - Distinction 

If learners do not achieve the required pass mark (60%) a re-sit exam can be arranged at no extra cost. Should learners require a re-sit of the same unit more than once, there will be an examination fee of £30.00 GBP. 

Examination Tips 

The learner should: 

  • Read and understand what is being asked by the questions. 
  • Some questions have more than one answer. 
  • Check your answer for errors. 
  • When taking exams, it's crucial for learners to thoroughly understand and address the questions asked. Often, learners may identify keywords in a question and write everything they know about that topic without considering the specific task outlined.  
  • Before writing responses, learners should carefully read the questions, plan their answers, and ensure they fully address all aspects of the question. Well-planned answers demonstrate a structured and professional approach. Responses must be clear and directly relevant to the question.  
  • It's essential to address all components of the question and the use of workplace-specific abbreviations should be avoided. Only piping and valve symbols provided in the Open Learning study book are acceptable. Marks will be deducted for incorrect symbols.  

Examination Procedures 

  • The procedure for sitting the examination online can be viewed here

Costs

Each digital PDF unit costs £190 GBP. 

 
Payment can be made using: 

  • Sage pay (card payment) 
  • An authorised company Purchase Order. 

Terms and Conditions 

All sales are final and non-refundable. Once a product is purchased, we cannot offer any refunds, exchanges or returns. By completing your purchase you agree to these terms. This No Refund Policy is subject to change without notice. If you have any questions or concerns about our No Refund Policy, please contact our open learning team at pol@opito.com or at the following address: 

OPITO Ltd  
Minerva House 
Bruntland Road 
Aberdeen 
AB124QL 
reception@opito.com 
01224787800 

Course Products

  1. Full Course

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £570.00

    • Oilwell Drilling Technology
    • Oilwell Production Technology
    • Drilling Calculations
  2. Oilwell Drilling Technology

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    Oilwell Drilling Technology covers operational techniques and the function and construction of a representative selection of tools and equipment used in the drilling of oil and gas wells.

    1 workbook comprising 10 sections

    Recommended study time: 40 – 60 hours

    • Introduction to oilwell drilling technology
    • Drilling systems and equipment
    • Drilling operations
    • Drilling fluids
    • Casing and cementing
    • Drilling from floating installations
    • Pressure control
    • Directional drilling
    • Formation evaluation
    • Non-routine drilling operations
  3. Drilling Calculations

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    Drilling Calculations provides guidance and practice of important calculations required during drilling operations.

    1 workbook comprising of 3 sections

    Recommended study time: 40 – 60 hours

    Section I

    • Fractions
    • Areas
    • Volume and capacity
    • Units of capacity
    • Capacity of a hole
    • Pump output calculations
    • Bottoms up or bit to surface time
    • Time for complete circulation
    • Annular velocity
    • Spotting pills
    • Cementing calculations
    • Single stage cementing
    • Two stage cementing
    • Liner cementing
    • Balanced cement plugs

    Section II

    • Formation pressures
    • Hydrostatic pressure and pressure gradients
    • Bottom hole pressure and U-tube concept
    • Reduction of hydrostatic pressure by inadequate fill-up
    • Bottom hole pressure while spotting light fluids
    • Closing in to contain a kick
    • Influx density
    • Maximum allowable annular surface pressure (MAASP)
    • Pressure calculations
    • True vertical depth in a deviated hole
    • Behaviour of formation gas in the wellbore
    • Reduced rate circulating pressure
    • Circulating kill mud
    • Well killing methods

    Section III

    • Formation testing
    • Stuck pipe stretch calculations
    • Buoyancy
    • Mud conversion tables and buoyancy factors
    • Work done by drilling line
    • Introduction to hydraulics
    • Hydraulic horsepower
    • Drill collars, bitweight and neutral point
  4. Oilwell Production Technology (Well Completions)

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    Oilwell Production Technology (Well Completions) covers operational techniques and the function and construction of a representative selection of tools and equipment used in the completion and Wireline well servicing of oil and gas wells.

    1 workbook comprising of 10 sections

    • Reservoir Production and Well Completion Concepts
    • Well Tubulars
    • Completion String Components
    • Wellheads and Xmas Trees
    • Subsurface Safety Valves
    • Subsea Completions
    • Perforating
    • Wireline Equipment and Techniques
    • Artificial Lift
    • Sand Control and Stimulation