IWCF Snubbing Well Intervention Exam

IWCF Snubbing Well Intervention Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a snubbing unit in well intervention?
• To drill a new well
• To run or pull tubing under pressure
• To measure formation pressure
• To circulate mud only

Rationale: A snubbing unit allows operations on live wells, running or

pulling tubulars under pressure without killing the well.

• Which of the following is a key safety concern during snubbing

operations?

• Proper mud density
• Well control and pressure containment
• Drill bit selection 1 / 4

• Cement bond logging

Rationale: Maintaining well control is critical during snubbing to

prevent blowouts and ensure personnel safety.

• During snubbing, which piece of equipment provides a pressure seal

around the tubular?

• Kelly
• Drill pipe elevator
• Stripping ram or snubbing hydraulic pack-off
• Blowout preventer flange

Rationale: Stripping rams and hydraulic pack-offs maintain pressure

containment while tubulars move through the BOP.

• Which type of blowout preventer is most commonly used in snubbing

operations?

• Pipe ram BOP
• Hydraulic pipe ram or stripping BOP
• Blind ram BOP only
• Annular preventer exclusively

Rationale: Snubbing operations typically require pipe rams or stripping

BOPs to allow tubular movement under pressure.

• What is the first action if a pressure surge is detected during a

snubbing operation?

• Continue operations
• Shut down the rig floor 2 / 4

• Activate the blowout preventer
• Increase pump rate

Rationale: Activating the BOP immediately isolates the well to control

the pressure surge and prevent an incident.

• Which parameter is critical for determining the snubbing unit’s

hydraulic capacity?

• Hole size
• Formation type
• Tubing weight and well pressure
• Mud viscosity

Rationale: The hydraulic system must be able to lift or push the tubing

against well pressure safely.

• What is a common hazard when tripping tubing under pressure?
• Slips and trips
• Incorrect mud density
• Tubing whip or ejection
• Pump cavitation

Rationale: Improper handling under pressure can cause the tubing to

whip, posing a serious risk to personnel.

8. In snubbing operations, the term “live well” refers to a well that is:

• Depleted
• Pressurized and capable of flowing
• Completed with a packer only 3 / 4

• Shut-in permanently

Rationale: A live well has pressure that must be managed during

intervention.

• When performing snubbing operations, which factor determines

whether to push or pull tubing?

• Formation porosity
• Well pressure and tubing weight
• Cement bond quality
• Drill pipe length

Rationale: Tubing movement under pressure is dictated by the balance

between well pressure and the weight of the string.

• What is the purpose of a snubbing unit’s rig floor monitor?
• Direct drilling mud
• Ensure proper tubular movement and safety
• Measure formation temperature
• Perform cement evaluation

Rationale: The monitor coordinates snubbing operations and

maintains safe control of the tubulars.

• What is the effect of increasing fluid density during snubbing

operations?

• Decreases BHP
• Reduces tubing weight
• Increases hydrostatic pressure, helping control the well
• / 4