Smart Drilling & Completion Operations Specialist (SDCOS)®
Program Overview
The Smart Drilling & Completion Operations Specialist (SDCOS)® certification, offered by the International Board of Oil and Gas Professionals (IBOGP®), is a world-class credential designed to equip energy professionals with cutting-edge skills in digital rig operations, automated directional drilling, downhole sensing, and software-driven completions.
As the oil and gas sector shifts toward intelligent well construction and real-time field optimization, SDCOS® professionals lead the charge by integrating machine automation, cloud-based decision support, and sensor fusion into drilling and completion workflows. This certification is developed in alignment with ANSI-based competency frameworks and global best practices.
Whether in unconventional basins, deepwater environments, or tight offshore schedules, SDCOS® professionals deliver performance, precision, and safety at scale.
Why the SDCOS® Certification Matters
- The global energy transition demands digitally efficient wells, reduced NPT (Non-Productive Time), and automation-led execution.
- The rise of directional drilling software, remote ops centers, and completion modeling tools is transforming field roles.
- SDCOS ensures that professionals are not only technically sound but also digitally fluent, preparing them for the evolving demands of the industry's most complex projects.
Certification Learning Outcomes
- Interpret and integrate real-time data from downhole sensors for on-the-fly drilling adjustments.
- Apply directional drilling automation using advanced rotary steerable systems and AI-assisted navigation.
- Leverage drilling optimization software to minimize torque and drag, bit wear, and fluid mismanagement.
- Design and evaluate digital completion strategies, including stage modeling and zonal isolation planning.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams through smart rig data platforms and digital twins.
Course Learning Modules
- Introduction to Smart Drilling & Digital Rigs
- Downhole Sensor Technology & Data Acquisition
- Directional Drilling Automation & Steerable Systems
- Drilling Optimization Algorithms & Predictive Analytics
- Completion Design Tools and Digital Modeling
- Cloud Platforms for Real-Time Drilling Control
- HSE Integration and AI-Based Decision Making in the Field
Assessment Domains
- Real-Time Drilling Monitoring and Automation
- Directional Drilling and Toolface Control
- Software-Driven Completion Planning
- Data Interpretation from MWD/LWD and BHA Tools
- Remote Operations and Digital Rig Coordination
- Drilling Risk Mitigation and Troubleshooting
- Environmental and Safety Compliance via Smart Systems Shape
Who Should Enroll?
This certification is ideal for professionals such as:
Drilling Engineers & Directional Drillers
MWD/LWD Field Engineers
Wellsite Supervisors & Rig Managers
Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) Analysts
Completion Engineers & Completions Planners
Digital Oilfield Architects
Petroleum Engineers & Energy Technology Students Shape
Certification Benefits
- Earn a globally recognized credential backed by a non-profit, ANSI-aligned certification board.
- Validate your expertise in digital drilling, automated completions, and intelligent well design.
- Position yourself for high-demand roles in smart field development, remote rig coordination, and real-time analytics.
- Join an exclusive professional registry and gain access to career advancement opportunities, workshops, and networking.
- Receive a digital badge and professional certificate suitable for LinkedIn and global employer verification.
How to Prepare
- Enroll in the official SDCOS® eLearning Program or live instructor-led workshop.
- Access interactive case studies, drilling optimization simulators, and digital rig labs.
- Review foundational knowledge in automation, hydraulics, digital twins, and sensor analytics.
- Practice with real-world datasets and digital modeling tools.
About the CAI-WCS® Examination
- Format: 100 multiple-choice + 5 scenario-based simulation questions
- Duration: 90 minutes (remote or in-person proctored)
- Passing Score: 70%
- Delivery: Online or through Accredited Training Partners
- Recertification: Required every 3 years to ensure relevance with evolving tech
Certification Fee
- Standard Registration: $495
- Student Professional Rate: $375
- Includes: Exam access, digital badge, certificate, registry profile, and prep kit (if enrolled in bundled plan)
How to Register
- Visit www.IBOGP®.org/sdcos
- Click "Register Now"
- Choose your registration type and submit payment
- Receive a welcome kit with study guide, prep instructions, and exam schedule.
- Take the exam and become a Certified SDCOS® professional.
Lead with Precision. Drill with Intelligence. Complete with Confidence.
Become a Certified Smart Drilling & Completion Operations Specialist (SDCOS)® and gain the strategic, technical, and digital leadership tools needed to shape the future of intelligent well construction and completion success.
Paced Training, Exam Fees
Instructor-Led Training
