Graduates of the UOM Masters in Petroleum Studies undertake specialised five-day training at the Ableman Drilling Academy

Dr Chris Cardona MP, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business and Joe Mizzi MP, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, attended the certification ceremony at the Academy’s state-of-the-art San Gwann facility

Four Maltese graduates of the University of Malta’s Masters in Petroleum Studies course received certification from the Ableman Drilling Careers Academy, having completed an IWCF Level 2 Well Control course, with an additional, specialised two-day extension on the Academy’s DS 5000 Rig Floor Simulator.

The course, which was organised in conjunction with UoM, was sponsored by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The ceremony itself was attended by the Dr Chris Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Joe Mizzi, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Dr Pauline Galea, head of the Geoscience Department at the UoM, Angelique Maggi, director of the Ableman Drilling Academy and Bill Richardson, head of the Ableman Drilling Academy, and instructor Malcolm Lodge.

Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Ms Maggi said: “We are honoured to have collaborated with UoM to give these students a very particular experience that combines the academic benefits of their degree, the industry course IWCF Level 2 Well Control course and the hands-on experience of our DS 5000 Rig Floor Simulator. This simulator is unique in Malta and the region and found at very few schools around the world, so its use has provided them with very particular knowledge of well control equipment and basic operations that will certainly be considered an asset in the industry.”

The Ableman Drilling Careers Academy is, in fact, dedicated to preparing students for careers in the international oil sector. It is fully accredited and provides both IADC Well Sharp and IWCF Drilling Well Control courses at Introductory/Level 2, Driller/Level3 and Supervisor/Level 4.

“The Level 2 course that these students completed is the starting point for anyone requiring well control certification,” says Mr Richardson. “It covers the basic underpinning principles of well control, introduces the equipment used to control an influx, and details the basic methods employed in returning well operations to primary control. Beyond that, the simulator aspect of the courses was tailor-made to suit the needs of this group and I believe that, together, the training has provided them with an excellent introduction to the industry.”

Agreeing, one of the graduating students said: “Coming from a background in Petroleum Studies, the IWCF Level 2 Well Control Course has granted me an improved and coherent understanding of well control. I would recommend the course to anyone pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry.”

The Academy, which forms part of the larger Ablecare Oilfield Services Group, provides regional solutions and services to the marine, oil and gas industry in the Mediterranean, African and Middle East Region.

“The wealth of experience that our team brings to the Academy means we can offer tailor-made solutions to our clients, and this directly results in the improved performance, safety, and efficiency of the oilindustry workforce. These graduates are an excellent example of the success that comes from collaborations between industry and education. We look forward to future collaborations of this kind,” Ms Maggi concludes.