SNYDER—These days, most pilots who’ve ever flown a jet aircraft received a portion of their flight training in a simulator before ever stepping into a real cockpit. With petroleum technology students—the oilwell drillers and other technicians—simulators and digital teaching tools can be just as effective.
At Western Texas College in Snyder, a $500,000 Texas Reskilling and Upskilling for Education (TRUE) grant has recently provided such well control simulator tools for area students, much closer than Odessa or San Antonio.
Students who take the course will be able to demonstrate drilling and well-control principles in real-time and improve their overall competence in safe rig operations. Upon successful completion of the course, students will obtain an IADC WellSharp certificate. The certificate requires 40 hours of training.
“Our simulators allow students to experience all the movement, sounds, and operations of a real rig so that they can practice everyday operations and specific emergency scenarios in a risk-free setting,” said Euan Kennedy, director of Americas at Drilling Systems, the world’s leading provider of advanced drilling simulation technology. “This means that when working in the field, they are confident and comfortable with whatever task they face.”
Drilling Systems equipped the IADC Wellsharp training center with state-of-the-art technology in well control education at WTC’s Opportunity Center.
The grant has enabled the construction of a well control training lab. The new lab benefits petroleum technology students, petroleum industry clients, and well-servicing employees in drilling, workover, intervention, and operational procedures. The college obtained the grant through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board thanks to a partnership with North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas, explained Dr. Barb Beebe, college president.
“We’re excited to be able to offer in-demand well control training in Snyder that enhances the education of our petroleum technology students and provides continuing education opportunities for our oil and gas industry employees,” said Beebe.
Students utilize the interactive virtual environment onsite during in-person classes taught by IADC-certified instructors.
“We are delighted to be working closely with Western Texas College on its new state-of-the-art simulator training facility, said Kennedy. “In highrisk sectors like oil and gas, the consequences of human error or equipment malfunction can be catastrophic, and simulators help prepare workers for the field like nothing else.”
“Well control training and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) certificate allow WTC Petroleum Technology students and industry employees to show that they have learned the latest in safety and efficiency for the oil and gas industry,” said Margo Mitchell, WTC’s director of workforce development. “We’re using world-class educational tools and advanced curricula.”
For more information, contact Mitchell at College on the Square by calling (325) 574-6581, or email cos@wtc.edu. More information is also available at wtc.edu/wellcontrol.
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