IWCF creates new role to lead technology development

The International Well Control Forum (IWCF), the independent organisation that sets international well control standards, has appointed David Conroy as its first Chief Technical Officer (CTO).

Based at the organisation’s UK headquarters, Conroy will be developing this new role to lead changes to the technical aspects of IWCF’s services, including exam quality, programme development, curriculum and training.

Conroy has 20 years’ experience in the international oil and gas industry. He will join IWCF in July from Schlumberger where he has held a variety of positions for over 10 years’, latterly serving as Drilling & Drilling Engineering Director of Curriculum in Dubai.

Commenting on his appointment, Conroy said: “During these challenging times within the oil and gas industry, I am very much looking forward to working within IWCF. I anticipate that we will continue to make significant changes in what we teach within the well control curricula, including rotary and intervention, as we continue to adopt and implement the recommendations from OGP.

“In tomorrow’s world, I believe we should be more globally adaptive, seeking new learning environments in teaching to assure increased competency. My passion is to further assist adults in actively developing their required skill levels for progressive career development, which is so crucial to the industry. Finally, assisting IWCF to update the tools we use to assess personnel competencies at all levels will be a critical function for me in this new role.”

Conroy holds a PhD in Geology from The Queen’s University of Belfast, which initially led him to roles in geological surveying. Since joining the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, he has worked in a variety of positions in Norway, Oman and Houston.

IWCF has recently invested in new facilities at its headquarters in Montrose, UK to improve training for well control assessors and instructors who address drilling operations and well intervention activities.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/08062015/iwcf-creates-new-role-to-lead-technology-development/