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Texas A&M University students complete IADC introductory WellSharp course
In affiliation with the new IADC Texas A&M Univerity Student Chapter, petroleum engineering students from the school participated in WellSharp training and testing in late February, administered by Smith Mason & Co. A total of 55 students completed and passed the introductory well control course.
“The IADC Introductory WellSharp program gave me my first look into well control operations and provided a good basis on which to further expand my understanding of well control in the future,” said Corey Wittig, Texas A&M senior petroleum engineering student and Chairman of the student chapter. “The principles and concepts taught in this program introduced me to the key steps to take to both prevent and respond to incidents and had the added bonus of helping expand my understanding of general drilling concepts. I feel confident in saying that the IADC Introductory WellSharp program made me much more comfortable with well control operations and has been an overall great experience.”
Mr Wittig added: “Smith Mason & Co did a fantastic job at teaching the IADC WellSharp Introductory Well Control Certification Course. I felt that the subject material reviewed over the duration of the course was relevant, useful and practical, and helped build my understanding of well control operations. The material was taught in such a way as to make it easy to learn and retain and was ultimately a great introduction to the basic principles of well control.”
Smith Mason & Co has also conducted WellSharp Introductory courses at Louisiana State University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The course and certificate is presented to students free of charge.
Mike Garvin, Patterson-UTI, recognized with 2016 IADC Contractor of the Year award
Mike Garvin, Senior Vice President of Operations Support at Patterson-UTI Drilling Company, was presented with the 2016 IADC Contractor of the Year Award during the IADC Annual General Meeting on 4 November in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The Contractor of the Year Award is given annually and recognizes individual drilling contractors and their outstanding lifetime achievements in technical innovation, safety and economic efficiency within the drilling industry. Sponsored by National Oilwell Varco, the award is the only one in the industry reserved solely for drilling contractors.
Mr Garvin has served as IADC Division VP North America Onshore since 2015, and he currently leads the IADC Onshore Advisory Panel. He has been instrumental in collaborating with regulators on behalf of onshore contractors.
“I’m accepting the award on behalf of the thousands of wonderful men and women that work for Patterson-UTI,” Mr Garvin said in his acceptance speech. “The only difference between them and me is I’ve had the opportunity to work with all of the wonderful folks that make up the IADC. The award is designed to recognize the things that have been done, but all I can think about is how much more we have left to do.”
Mr Garvin has 36 years of experience in the upstream energy business. Prior to joining Patterson-UTI, he worked for Ensco as Senior Operations Manager. He also spent 27 years with GlobalSantaFe and its predecessor companies, Global Marine and Transocean, holding various operations and support leadership positions. Mr Garvin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from California Polytechnic State University.
Click here to view a video interview with Mr Garvin.
