Training Course on Advanced Well Control Certification for Geothermal Drilling Operations: Level 2 Supervisory Mastery

Module 1: Advanced Geothermal Reservoir Dynamics and Pressure Regimes

ü  Analyzing Boiling Point Depth (BPD) curves

ü  Influence of fractured basement rock on pressure distribution

ü  Thermal gradients and their impact on formation integrity

ü  Under-pressured vs. over-pressured geothermal reservoirs

ü  Practical Session: Constructing a reservoir-specific pressure profile map

Module 2: Supervisory Level Well Control Physics and Mathematics

ü  Complex hydrostatic calculations for steam/water mixtures

ü  Gas law applications in high-temperature environments

ü  Friction loss and ECD management in narrow margins

ü  Surge and swab pressure analysis for large diameter tools

ü  Practical Session: Advanced kill sheet workshop for multi-phase fluids

Module 3: Advanced Geothermal BOP Systems and Maintenance Management

ü  Supervisory oversight of BOP pressure and function testing

ü  High-temperature elastomer degradation and replacement cycles

ü  Hydraulic control system troubleshooting for supervisors

ü  Diverter system capacity and erosion limits

ü  Practical Session: Developing a BOP maintenance and audit checklist

Module 4: Managing Influxes in Vapor-Dominated vs. Liquid-Dominated Systems

ü  Early warning signs of steam kicks vs. water influx

ü  Pressure behaviour of non-condensable gases during circulation

ü  Bubble point and dew point considerations in the borehole

ü  Expansion rates of steam under varying depth conditions

ü  Practical Session: Simulator exercise: Identifying and shutting in a steam kick

Module 5: Technical Management of Aerated and Underbalanced Geothermal Drilling

ü  Design and control of air-injection systems

ü  Monitoring bottom-hole pressure in aerated fluid columns

ü  Managing "The U-Tube Effect" during connections

ü  Safety protocols for nitrogen vs. compressed air usage

ü  Practical Session: Simulator exercise: Well control during aerated drilling

Module 6: Specialized Wellhead Integrity for High-Temperature Expansion

ü  Managing the "growth" of casing during heat-up

ü  Integrity of expansion spools and slip-on-weld flanges

ü  Monitoring annulus pressures (A, B, and C annuli)

ü  Valve configurations for geothermal production trees

ü  Practical Session: Thermal expansion calculation and wellhead hardware inspection

Module 7: Volumetric and Lubricate-and-Bleed Methods in Geothermal

ü  When to use the Volumetric Method in geothermal wells

ü  Step-by-step pressure increments and bleed volumes

ü  Lubricating gas/steam out of the wellhead

ü  Safety margins for surface pressure limits

ü  Practical Session: Hands-on simulator training for the Volumetric Method

Module 8: Advanced Lost Circulation Control in Fractured Formations

ü  Managing the "Wait and See" vs. "Active Plug" approach

ü  Supervisory decision-making for total loss of returns

ü  Impact of cold-water injection on well stability

ü  Utilization of thermosetting resins and advanced LCM

ü  Practical Session: Developing a contingency plan for massive fluid loss

Module 9: Non-Condensable Gases (NCG) and Corrosion Control Strategies

ü  Managing H2S, CO2, and Methane influxes

ü  Impact of NCGs on hydrostatic head and BOP components

ü  Chemical scavenging and neutralization during well control

ü  Stress corrosion cracking in high-strength drill pipe

ü  Practical Session: Gas sampling and H2S safety protocol drill

Module 10: Deep-Dive: The Bullheading Method in Geothermal Well Control

ü  Calculations for Bullheading in geothermal reservoirs

ü  Risk of formation fracturing vs. wellbore stability

ü  Pumping rates and volume tracking

ü  Post-bullheading monitoring and stabilization

ü  Practical Session: Simulator-based bullheading operation

Module 11: Handling Thermal Cycling and Casing Fatigue

ü  Effects of repeated cooling/heating on casing and cement

ü  Managing well control during "Thermal Shock" scenarios

ü  Casing collapse and burst pressure derating for temperature

ü  Integrity monitoring of the production string

ü  Practical Session: Technical audit of a casing design for thermal stress

Module 12: Well Control during Cementing and Completion Operations

ü  Pressure control while running heavy casing strings

ü  Managing losses during the cement primary job

ü  Well control risks during perforation and stimulation

ü  Setting and testing thermal-grade packers

ü  Practical Session: Scenario-based cement job failure management

Module 13: Subsurface Safety Valves and Geothermal Production Integrity

ü  Operation and maintenance of geothermal safety valves

ü  Testing frequencies and failure modes

ü  Well kill operations for producing geothermal wells

ü  Wireline and coiled tubing well control interventions

ü  Practical Session: Walkthrough of a geothermal production well kill plan

Module 14: Rig Audit and Inspection of Pressure Control Equipment

ü  Conducting a supervisory well control audit

ü  Verifying certification and documentation for all valves

ü  Inspecting remote closing units and alarms

ü  Evaluating crew competency through "Pit Drills"

ü  Practical Session: Leading a mock rig-site well control audit

Module 15: Crisis Leadership and Human Factors in Well Control

ü  Managing crew stress and communication during a blowout

ü  Decision-making frameworks for high-stakes environments

ü  The role of the supervisor in post-incident investigation

ü  Conflict resolution on the rig floor during emergencies

ü  Practical Session: Role-play exercise: Managing a crisis communication chain

Module 16: Environmental Protection and H2S Emergency Protocols

ü  Containment of geothermal brine and drilling fluids

ü  Site-specific H2S evacuation and monitoring plans

ü  Reporting requirements for environmental spills

ü  Public relations and stakeholder management in an emergency

ü  Practical Session: Drafting an environmental emergency response plan

Module 17: International Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance

ü  Review of NITA, API, and IADC standards

ü  Local Kenyan and international geothermal regulations

ü  Maintaining rigorous record-keeping for legal compliance

ü  The ethics of well control and corporate responsibility

ü  Practical Session: Reviewing a well program for regulatory compliance

Module 18: Final Supervisory Certification Assessment

ü  Comprehensive supervisory written exam

ü  Advanced kill sheet proficiency test (Supervisory Level)

ü  Complex simulator-based well control resolution exam

ü  Evaluation of leadership and technical decision-making

ü  Practical Session: Final Certification Simulation Exam

About Our Trainers

Our trainers are elite drilling experts with over 25 years of global experience in high-temperature geothermal drilling and deep-well exploration. They have served as Lead Drilling Supervisors and Consultants for major energy firms in Kenya, the USA, and New Zealand. Each trainer holds the highest level of Well Control certification and has a proven track record of managing real-world blowouts and complex well interventions. They bring a wealth of practical, battle-tested wisdom to the classroom, ensuring that every participant learns from the best in the industry.

Quality Statement

Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training is dedicated to providing world-class technical education. We adhere to the most stringent international drilling standards and continuously update our curriculum to incorporate new technologies in geothermal energy. Our quality assurance process ensures that every participant receives a high-value, practical, and transformative learning experience.

Tailor-Made Courses

We understand that every organization has unique challenges and opportunities as well as unique training needs. Phoenix Training Center offers tailor-made courses designed to address specific requirements and challenges faced by your team or organization. Whether you need a customized curriculum, a specific duration, or on-site delivery, we can adapt our expertise to provide a training solution that perfectly aligns with your objectives. We can customize this Course to focus on your industry, specific risk profile, or internal stakeholder dynamics. Contact us to discuss how we can create a bespoke training program that maximizes value and impact for your team.

Admission Criteria

ü  Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

ü  Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

ü  Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free.

ü  What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

ü  Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

ü  Program Guidance: The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

ü  Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training. Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737296202

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

ü  Groups of 5 People and Above: Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

ü  Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

ü  Deposit: Directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request).

Cancellation Policy

ü  Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

ü  Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

ü  No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

For physical training attendees, we can assist with recommendations for accommodation near the training venue. Airport pick-up services can also be arranged upon request to ensure a smooth arrival. Please inform us of your travel details in advance if you require these services. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202