IADC CONNECTION • IADC YEAR IN REVIEW
BY KATIE CARR, IADC SENIOR COORDINATOR – EXTERNAL
COMMUNICATIONS Accreditation and Credentialing
IADC’s Accreditation and Credentialing (ACD) group provides
globally recognized, gold-standard accreditation programs that
aim to elevate personnel safety in the industry and create an
efficient, competent workforce. ACD offers a variety of accredita-
tion programs, which are developed, maintained and regularly
updated by IADC members working through technical commit-
tees, advisory panels and goal-oriented workgroups.
IADC’s ACD initiatives have obtained ISO 9001:2015 certifica-
tion for the 16th straight year, which confirms that they meet the
quality and consistency of internationally recognized standards.
IADC’s ACD department is the only accrediting body in the drilling
industry to hold this certification. Accomplishing this recertifica-
tion includes rigorous audit reviewing procedures, processes and
records, as well as management, quality assurance, organiza-
tional resources and product development.
This year alone, the ACD group accredited 57 new training
providers, and 32,382 trainees have passed an IADC-accredited
course. Starting in January 2022, new employees entering the
industry in the Permian Basin have been required to complete the
Fundamental Safety Orientation for Basin United, the new univer-
sal safety orientation program for the region.
IADC’s WellSharp accreditation program provides comprehen-
sive well control training standards for the global drilling indus-
try, emphasizing rigorous training for every person with well con-
trol responsibilities. WellSharp University – the newest iteration
of the WellSharp program – launched in August. Through this
program, the same high-quality training of the WellSharp pro-
gram will now be accessible to universities and colleges. Students
will be able to take the WellSharp exam at no cost and will receive
a custom student certificate upon successful completion.
Other projects have been taking place in the WellSharp arena,
as well. Additional security features were added to WellSharp
Live this year to ensure the integrity of the program’s online
exams. IADC and its members are continuing to find other ways
to evolve accreditation programs in order to continue meeting
the shifting needs of the industry. Much of this work is accom-
plished through member-based workgroups. This year, a variety
of WellSharp workgroups made progress toward their respective
goals:
WellSharp Well Servicing: The goal of this workgroup is to
review and revise courses to stay current with new industry
guidelines around well control and make content less equipment-
focused and more focused on pressure control. Workgroup mem-
bers have recently completed reviewing a course for coiled tubing
and are now reviewing the Oil and Gas Operator Representative
course.
WellSharp Test Question Review: This workgroup met for the
first time this year and convenes monthly to review the test
questions in English. The group is projected to start working on
translations in early 2023.
WellSharp Simulator Assessment Revision: This workgroup
has completed reviewing the Supervisor Level Assessment guide-
44 lines and have started reviewing the Driller Level Simulator
Assessment.
MPD Course Accreditation Workgroup: The IADC Underbalanced
Operations and Managed Pressure Drilling (UBO and MPD)
Committee secured funding to build a three-course MPD program
and assessments into the WellSharp database. A workgroup is
developing test questions throughout the end of the year.
Government and Industry Affairs
IADC is the voice of the drilling industry, facilitating impactful
advocacy on behalf of drilling contractors. IADC’s Government
and Industry Affairs (GIA) team maintains an ongoing dialogue
regarding issues critical to the industry and advocates for fair and
sensible regulatory practices.
Earlier this year, IADC launched a new way to participate in the
association, via the Advocacy Membership, which is available
to individuals who wish to engage directly with IADC’s Political
Action Committee, DrillersPAC. Funds from DrillersPAC are used
strategically to advance IADC’s advocacy efforts with policymak-
ers who support the industry.
Throughout the year, the GIA team has been busy engaging
with government officials and regulators, maintaining discus-
sions and participating in joint actions with allied trade associa-
tions and entities, and keeping members informed. Examples of
this work include:
Continuously advocated for the interests of drilling contractors
regarding the federal leasing bans in the US Gulf of Mexico and
elsewhere by vocalizing IADC’s stance via media releases and
statements, joining allied energy industry trade groups in filing a
lawsuit challenging the US Department of the Interior, sending a
joint trades letter to the Bureau of Ocean Management, etc.
Held IADC’s annual Washington, DC, federal fly-in to facilitate
dialogue between executives from both onshore and offshore
IADC President Jason McFarland (left) and ABESPetro Presi-
dent Rodrigo Ribeiro formalized a collaboration agreement
between the two organizations at this year’s OTC.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 • DRILLING CONTRACTOR
IADC YEAR IN REVIEW • IADC CONNECTION
IADC sponsored students from the University of Louisiana and the University of North Dakota to attend the 2022 IADC Ad-
vanced Rig Technology Conference in Austin, Texas.
drilling companies and over 30 members of Congress, the Biden
Administration and industry allies.
Continued engaging with key industry groups, including ongo-
ing participation in the Federal Lands Coalition, which met with
the US Department of Energy’s Deputy Secretary David Turk.
Sent letters and submitted comments with allied trade groups/
organizations to a variety of entities regarding an array of con-
cerns.
Contributed to Rep. Fred Keller’s resolution (H.Res.1101) suggest-
ing the federal government increase production of domestic oil
and natural gas via drilling.
Used DrillersPAC funds to support 22 federal and state can-
didates in both parties, creating dozens of interactions between
IADC member company executives and key policymakers.
Met with members of the Texas Railroad Commission to dis-
cuss state-level issues affecting drilling contractors.
Kept members informed of Congressional matters with month-
ly updates in IADC’s DrillBits Newsletter.
Played a key role in organizing onsite visits with IADC mem-
bers and key policymakers. Examples include a Transocean
offshore rig visit to increase general knowledge and awareness of
how the industry operates and provides energy to the world, and a
facility tour and policy discussion hosted by Cactus Drilling with
Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice.
Participated in a land rig visit with 100 elementary and middle
school teachers, facilitated by the Oklahoma Energy Resources
Board.
Continued involvement and leadership in safety through par-
ticipation in the Onshore Safety Alliance Executive Steering
Committee and presenting to the National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health.
Attended an event with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer
Granholm and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announcing a
government program to promote geothermal energy development.
Sponsored the 2022 Guyana Basins Summit with partner trade
organizations and participated on an SME regulatory panel and
moderated an “operator insight” panel.
International Development
The primary purpose of the IADC International Development
team is to represent IADC and the interests of our members around
the world. This is made possible by a network of regional repre-
sentatives who serve as local advocates and foster connection
and collaboration amongst members in Europe, the UK, Brazil, the
Middle East, Asia Pacific, Australasia and Latin America.
Another core component of IADC’s international network is
the association’s 10 regional chapters outside the United States.
Chapter activity has been steadily increasing in many regions,
and some chapters held in-person meetings this year for the first
time since before the pandemic.
IADC’s International Development team focused on advocating
for drilling contractors via a variety of projects and initiatives,
while continuing to develop relationships with local government
officials, regulators and other industry organizations. Recent
examples of such efforts include:
Hosted part three of cyclone/hurricane webinar series, in con-
junction with the IADC South Central Asia (SCA) Chapter. Attended
by 125 participants, including IADC SCA Chapter Chairman and
DRILLING CONTRACTOR • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
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