Aberdeen Drilling School

Name

Aberdeen Drilling School

Legal name

Aberdeen Drilling School Limited

Website

https://aberdeendrilling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oil and Gas Well Control Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

OFS Engineering, Construction & O&M (Field Development, Brownfield, Maintenance) (EUALABAM)

Keywords

• Drilling well control training
• Well intervention certification
• IWCF IADC accredited courses
• Drilling simulation services
• Oil gas consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Training and Certification Services: Classroom and simulator-based training courses for well control certification (IWCF and IADC accredited). Course fees include tuition, materials, lunch, refreshments, certification and examinations where applicable. Resit examinations charged separately. Pricing varies by location and duration.
2. Virtual Instructor-Led Training: Remote delivery of IWCF and IADC accredited courses via virtual classrooms with live presentations, interactive breakout sessions, online assessments. Same pricing structure as in-person training with additional IT specification requirements.
3. Consultancy Services: Technical authoring, competency management, independent advice and arbitration services. Well-specific and bespoke training programme development. Root cause analysis and incident investigation services. Long-standing relationships with operators for ongoing consultancy support.
4. Bespoke and Customised Training: Specialist bespoke training and assessments tailored to specific client operations. Group bookings for customised courses at client-specified locations. Price quoted on case-by-case basis.
5. Resit and Retraining Fees: Additional fees for resit examinations and retraining as required by IWCF or IADC criteria. Retraining and resit fees not included in course fee. Full course retake charged at 50% of list price if taken within resit period.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Aberdeen Drilling School delivers accredited drilling and well control training, simulator-based competency programmes, and professional consultancy for the global oil and gas industry. Its offerings span IWCF and IADC certification courses at multiple levels (Drilling Well Control and Well Intervention Pressure Control, including subsea modules), specialised courses for complex wells (HPHT, deepwater, stuck pipe, enhanced well control), advanced cyber simulator-driven training, bespoke/customised training, and technical consultancy covering technical authoring, competency management, incident investigation, and independent advice.

Product overview

Aberdeen Drilling School operates as a training and consultancy organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of drilling and well control certification courses, simulation services, and professional consultancy. The core offerings include IWCF and IADC accredited programmes spanning Drilling Well Control and Well Intervention Pressure Control at multiple certification levels (Levels 2-4), including specialized subsea modules. The company provides specialized training for complex operations (HPHT, Deepwater, Stuck Pipe Prevention, Enhanced Well Control) and simulation solutions using advanced ADS3-Drill and DS-5000 cyber simulators. Training is delivered through classroom-based courses, virtual instructor-led training, and on-site/rig-site coaching. Consultancy services encompass Technical Authoring, Competency Management, and Independent Advisory. The company also offers introductory courses for non-technical personnel and workforce development programmes. In 2019, the company acquired Oiltec Solutions to develop in-house simulation technology capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IWCF Drilling Well Control Certification Courses
• IWCF Well Intervention Pressure Control Certification Courses
• IWCF Subsea Well Intervention Pressure Control Training
• IADC WellSharp Well Servicing Certification Courses
• HPHT Drilling Operations Training
• Stuck Pipe Prevention Training
• Deepwater Operations Training
• Enhanced Well Control (EWC) Programme
• Drilling Engineer & Well Design Training
• Simulation Solutions
• Virtual Instructor-Led Training
• Professional Consultancy Services
• Audit, Coaching & Training (ACT) Services
• Bespoke Training
• Introduction to Plug & Abandonment
• Introduction to Drilling
• Essentials of Drilling Technology & Equipment
• Essentials of Oil & Gas Week

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of high-profile drilling-related incidents attributed to human error; WOCRM-integrated training addresses communication and behavioural factors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Oiltec Solutions AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, Aberdeen Drilling School completed the strategic acquisition of Norwegian simulation technology company Oiltec Solutions AS (from HITEC Vision's portfolio company Teresoft AS). Oiltec Solutions had been developing advanced simulation for drilling and crane operations since 1998. The acquisition created an in-house simulation technology platform being rolled out through global training centres, combining operational experience with programming technology.
• Subsea Industry Partners (Global Offshore Subsea Contractor, Well Flow Management Company, Major International Operator)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Working closely with industry partners (a global offshore subsea contractor, a leading well flow management company, and a major international operator), Aberdeen Drilling School developed a new IWCF-certified subsea well intervention module. These partners provided the necessary technical and training expertise to ensure the certified course reflected the specific needs of the subsea industry. ADS became the first training provider to offer IWCF accredited Subsea Well Intervention Pressure Control worldwide.
• RelyOn Nutec QatarmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Training centre in Doha established in 2014 as part of RelyOn Nutec Group. Became IWCF-approved training venue in 2019 for delivery of IWCF drilling and well intervention programmes powered by Aberdeen Drilling International. IWCF courses from Introductory to Driller Level and Supervisor Level delivered by full-time staff instructors.
• RelyOn Nutec GroupcoreOthers · 1 January 2018In 2018, Aberdeen Drilling School became a fully-owned subsidiary and member of the RelyOn Nutec Group. The complementary technical and geographical strengths of both companies offer clients a greater choice of high-quality training and consultancy services in more locations than ever before. Aberdeen Drilling School retains its brand identity while benefiting from RelyOn Nutec's global network of over 30 training centres in 20 countries.
• MSTS AsiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018In 2018, Aberdeen Drilling International (Malaysia) joined forces with sister Malaysian company MSTS Asia (a leading provider of safety training, competency management, and digital learning programmes with international accreditations). Together the two companies offer a combined portfolio of services for the energy sector across the region. In 2020, ADS expanded to include well control and well intervention training in MSTS's regional training centres in Miri and Cherating.
• Samson TiaramajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Strategic partnership announced in 2018 between Aberdeen Drilling School and Samson Tiara (Indonesia's leading oil and gas safety training provider entering its 25th year). The partnership delivers ADS's specialist courses including Stuck Pipe Prevention, HPHT Drilling Operations, Well Engineering, and certified IADC and IWCF Well Control training to Indonesia's expanding oil and gas industry. Samson Tiara provides local market access and established customer relationships.
• NAM Training Centre (Netherlands)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017In 2017, Aberdeen Drilling School was awarded a training contract with an O&G supermajor to deliver IWCF Drilling and IWCF Well Intervention courses at NAM Training Centre in Assen, Netherlands on a monthly basis. ADS accredited the classrooms, simulator room, and assessment rooms within NAM Training Centre and began delivering public courses from September 2017. Successfully passed IWCF Audit in 2018 with 0 corrective actions.
• Rigworld TrainingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Agreement signed with Rigworld Training (ambitious Ghanaian company servicing offshore oil and gas industry) providing access to their multi-million dollar world-class training centre in Takoradi. Rigworld delivers OPITO-accredited offshore survival and HSE training. ADS complements this with specialist training including training the trainer content to support the Petroleum Commission's workforce development remit.
• Petroleum Commission GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership initiated with Ghana's regulator (mandated to regulate, manage and coordinate all upstream petroleum activities) following delegation visit to Aberdeen HQ in 2017. Partnership includes specialist training programme for Commission's own staff and national workforce development project through Ghana's Accelerated Oil & Gas Capacity (AOGC) programme. ADS signed agreements with public and private sector Ghanaian organisations for permanent presence.
• Petronas / Malaysian Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014In early 2014, Aberdeen Drilling School was approached by the Head of Drilling at Petronas to consider setting up in Malaysia as part of a quality enhancement initiative. MPRC also endorsed ADS entry into the region by offering support and connections. The aim was to build a local Malaysian training company with first-class facilities using ADS's internationally certified IWCF and IADC programmes.
• Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic (SPSP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014In 2014, ADS embarked on long-term partnership with SPSP to support development and delivery of drilling diploma course at Dammam Centre for Drilling and Construction. SPSP founders include Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Aramco, Chevron, and Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. ADS is responsible for managing drilling training components of 2-year programmes for high school graduates. Expanded in 2017 to intakes of approximately 150 trainees at any time.
• Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012In 2012, ADS Middle East operations office moved from Kuwait to Oman to work in partnership with PDO, supporting their role in ensuring Omani oilfield personnel were trained to the highest standard.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wild Well Control: Wild Well Control is one of the most direct competitors to ADS globally, providing IADC and IWCF accredited well control training, well control equipment services and incident response. Headquartered in the US with international operations, it competes with ADS for the same operator, drilling contractor and NOC customer base on core well control certification.
• TRACS International: TRACS International provides well control and drilling training primarily to the UK North Sea market, with IADC and IWCF accredited courses. It is a direct competitor on entry-level and intermediate well control certification in the UK and competes with ADS for European drilling contractor training spend.
• Maersk Training: Maersk Training is a major offshore and maritime training provider operating multiple centres globally with strong offshore, drilling and safety curricula. It competes directly with ADS for drilling and well control certification budgets from operators and drilling contractors, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
• Survivex: Survivex is a UK-based energy training provider (part of the 3T Energy Services Group) delivering well control, drilling, safety and survival training to oil and gas operators and contractors. It competes with ADS on well control certification in the UK North Sea market and increasingly in the Middle East.
• Stream Marine Training: Stream Marine Training is a UK-headquartered training provider offering well control, drilling, offshore safety and maritime courses. It competes with ADS for IWCF/IADC certification business in the North Sea and is expanding internationally into the Middle East.
• Capnor AS: Capnor AS is a Norwegian training provider specialising in drilling, well control and simulator-based courses for the North Sea market. As a regional peer headquartered near Stavanger, it competes with ADS's Norwegian expansion (Bergen and Stavanger centres) for North Sea operator and drilling contractor training budgets.

Broad incumbents

• RelyOn Nutec: RelyOn Nutec is the parent company of Aberdeen Drilling School and the broader safety, survival and offshore training network of 30+ centres in 20 countries. While it provides well control and drilling training through ADS, it is a broader incumbent in offshore, maritime and safety training with overlapping customer base of oil and gas operators.
• Petrofac Training Services: Petrofac Training Services delivers technical and operational training to the oil and gas industry, including well control and drilling competency programmes. While part of a much larger EPC and operations business, it overlaps with ADS in the Middle East and North Africa on operator-led workforce development contracts.
• Falck Safety Services: Falck Safety Services (now operating alongside RelyOn Nutec through related entities) is a major safety, survival and offshore training provider with global centres. It overlaps with ADS on safety and survival training bundled with drilling competency, particularly in the Middle East, Brazil and Southeast Asia.
• 3T Energy Services: 3T Energy Services is the parent group of Survivex, AIS Survivex and other training brands and is one of the largest energy training groups globally. As a broader incumbent with overlapping well control and drilling training offerings, it competes with the combined ADS/RelyOn Nutec proposition across multiple geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aberdeen-drilling-school-ltd

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aberdeen Drilling School