IADC WellSharp Driller Level Well Control Certification Exam (Level 3) Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
- What is the main purpose of well control?
a) To reduce drilling costs
b) To increase rate of penetration
c) To prevent uncontrolled flow of formation fluids
d) To improve mud properties
Rationale: Well control aims to prevent blowouts by maintaining control
over formation pressures and preventing influx of fluids into the wellbore.
- What happens if hydrostatic pressure is less than formation pressure?
a) The well remains balanced
b) Formation fluids enter the wellbore
c) Lost circulation occurs 1 / 4
d) Kick tolerance increases
Rationale: When formation pressure exceeds hydrostatic pressure,
formation fluids flow into the wellbore, causing a kick.
- Which component measures mud return flow rate?
a) Pit level indicator
b) Standpipe pressure gauge
c) Flow sensor or paddle flowmeter
d) Trip tank
Rationale: Flow sensors detect changes in mud return rate, indicating
possible influx or loss situations.
- What is the primary indicator of a kick while drilling?
a) Torque increase
b) Rotary speed change
c) Flow rate increase with constant pump strokes
d) Pressure drop
Rationale: An increase in flow rate at constant pump strokes suggests
formation fluids entering the well.
- What is meant by “bottomhole pressure”?
a) The total pressure exerted at the bottom of the wellbore 2 / 4
b) The annular pressure at the surface
c) The formation pressure minus hydrostatic pressure
d) The mud weight equivalent pressure
Rationale: Bottomhole pressure includes hydrostatic and circulating
pressures acting at the bit.
- What happens when the mud weight is higher than formation pressure
equivalent?
a) Kick occurs
b) Lost circulation may occur
c) Formation collapses
d) Flow increases
Rationale: Excessive mud weight can fracture the formation, leading to lost
returns.
- Which unit is commonly used to measure formation pressure?
- psi/gal
- psi
- ppg
- bbl
Rationale: Formation pressure is typically expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi). 3 / 4
- What is the role of the annular preventer?
a) To cut pipe
b) To circulate mud
c) To seal around drill pipe or open hole
d) To disconnect the drill string
Rationale: Annular preventers can close around different pipe sizes or even
open hole to seal the annulus.
- What does the choke do during well control operations?
a) Controls backpressure on the well
b) Removes gas from the mud
c) Pumps kill mud
d) Monitors mud returns
Rationale: The choke allows operators to control surface backpressure,
maintaining constant bottomhole pressure during well control.
- What is the main function of the mud gas separator?
a) To remove solids
b) To safely separate gas from mud returns
c) To increase mud weight
d) To circulate kill mud
- / 4