Last week we attended the IWCF Well Control Workshop and Annual General Meeting 2025 in Istanbul, an event that continues to unite industry leaders to shape the future of well control. This year was extra special for us as IWCF recognised 3t Drilling Systems for 32 years of membership, alongside GTSC part of 3t for 30 years, a testament to our enduring commitment to global well control standards.
Representing 3t, Clive Battisby and Max Wyndham joined an audience of long-standing friends, clients, and global experts to share insights and explore the latest developments in drilling and well control. Here we provide a snapshot of some of the key subjects discussed at the workshop.
Türkiye’s Expanding Drilling Market
Türkiye’s drilling sector is growing rapidly, led by state operator TPAO, producing over 280,000 boe/d and targeting 310,000 boe/d. Plans for 2026 include 280 onshore wells and 80 offshore wells, supported by six ultra-deepwater drill ships and land rigs increasing from 55 to 80.
However, well control certification is not legally required in Türkiye, creating a gap in competence that has contributed to incidents, including a recent fatality. Despite this, accredited well control centres exist and 3t Drilling Systems is proud to be the preferred simulation provider to all of them.
Training and Assessment Across the Well Lifecycle
Most well control events occur off-bottom, not during active drilling. Discussions highlighted the need for competence in operations like tripping and Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) and beyond. Well intervention and plug & abandonment (P&A) phases also pose risks and practical assessments are expected to become standard.
3t Drilling Systems is ahead of the curve, with simulations already developed for these scenarios, ready to support evolving industry standards.
IWCF Quality Assured: Raising Training Standards
IWCF announced a new certification framework for members’ training programs, enabling company-specific courses to earn IWCF’s quality assurance seal without IWCF defining the curriculum. This will raise standards and expand course offerings through peer review, benefiting centres delivering MPD or P&A training.
IOGP Report 476: A Cornerstone for Well Control
The workshop reaffirmed the importance of IOGP Report 476, one of the sector’s most influential publications. A revision is scheduled for 2026, focusing on immersive simulator training and practical assessments for well intervention pressure control.
Voices from the Event
“The question that resonated with me was what does the future of well control look like? Technology is advancing rapidly, but the real challenge is integrating these tools with people and processes to build smarter, safer, and more adaptive systems.”
Clive Battisby, SVP, 3t Technologies
“It’s always a pleasure to attend the IWCF AGM. The insights gained and the engagement with our clients are invaluable.”
Looking Ahead
Thank you to International Well Control Forum for organising such a fantastic event, and to our clients and partners for their continued support. Together, we are shaping the future of well control.
Explore our well control training and simulation solutions here.