RIIOGD203A - Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems
Assessor Resource
RIIOGD203A Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: May 2024
This unit is appropriate for those working in an assistant role at worksites within:
Drilling
This unit covers the preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for operations, establishing operational requirements, selecting and testing equipment, preparing drilling fluids, pumping drilling fluids, and operating the hopper system. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for preparing and operating drilling fluid systems
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems
working with others to undertake and complete the preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to prepare and operate drilling fluid systems:
apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems
maintain and operate mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves in the mud pits system
safely add mud materials to the mud systems under the mud engineer's instructions
operate and maintain all the mud treatment units
accurately take mud properties readings and legibly record them
interpret and act on additional flow in the mud returns or an increase in mud pit volume
operate pipe in derrick as directed either manually or using hydraulic racking system where fitted
assess need and action greasing of crown block and hanging sheaves
Required knowledge
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to prepare and operate drilling fluid systems:
occupational health and safety obligations
company and statutory guidelines, procedures and practices
chemical handling procedures
operating principles of the systems, equipment and their relationship to other plant
fluid types and composition
rig safety and emergency procedures
safe operating procedures when operating equipment
layout of mud circulating, mixing and suction systems
geography of active, reserve and slug pits
layout of shaker, degasser and settling pits, and sand traps
materials safety data sheets (MSDS)
rig maintenance
non-routine drilling operations
man management/rig management
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures including:
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
pre-tour meeting
safety meeting
use of hazardous chemicals
safety briefing/induction
weekly safety meetings
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
toolbox
permit to work
communication through a range of channels including:
2-way radio
hand signals
Telephone
public address system
written work instructions
geographic layout of the active, reserve and slug pits
operation of mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves
mud pump and discharge system
reading and interpreting mud materials safety data sheets (MSDS)
layout of shaker pits, degasser pit, settling pit and sand trap
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
working in different conditions including:
wind
rain
snow
dust
hot and cold
calm to severe weather conditions
24 hour operation
Safe working practices may include:
use of personal protective equipment
consideration of toxic substances (e.g. H2S)
continuous communication maintained
reacting to on-site emergencies
dealing with contamination
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
Remedial action taken to deal with errors, omissions and shortages may include:
report
record
adjust
repair
isolate
Equipment may include:
pumps
lines
hoppers
manifolds
shale shakers
degaser
centrifugers
desanders/desilters
Fluids may include:
Fluid systems including:
mixing
transfer
bulk
circulating
Mix may include:
Fluid mix specifications including:
volume
density
viscosity
mud properties
Parameters may include:
flow rate
pressure
density
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task
Identify, manage and report all potential hazards
Conform to safe working practices and current legislative and operational requirements
Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
Obtain personal protective equipment
Assess geographic layout of the active, reserve and slug pits under work instruction
Assess operation of mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves under work instruction
Identify and locate mud pump and discharge system
Clarify difficulties in carrying out the instructions with the relevant personnel
Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work in accordance with operational and legislative requirements
Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities in accordance with operational requirements
Confirm availability of required quantities and type of consumables against operational requirements
Identify errors, omissions and shortages and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
Identify and select equipment appropriate for the work to be performed and conforming to operational requirements
Confirm equipment is functional and fit for the purpose and the environment in which it will be used
Identify defects in the equipment and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
Confirm availability of sufficient quantities and types of fluids against operational requirements
Confirm tanks and mixing equipment are clean and free from contamination in accordance with instructions
Mix and treat fluids in accordance with the specification
Obtain, correctly label and store samples according to operational requirements
Identify defects in the equipment and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
Confirm recording and monitoring devices are preset to required parameters
Operate equipment in accordance with operational requirements
Identify faults and defects accurately and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
Assist with obtaining samples, weigh, measure viscosity and record details as per instructions
Operate pipe in the derrick manually and under supervision
Grease crown block and identify hanging sheaves
Record data accurately at appropriate times and frequencies in accordance with operational requirements
Recognise operation of the hopper system
Operate and maintain hopper system and associated components in accordance with company and manufacturer's requirements
Measure and log mud properties correctly
Recognise, record and report changes in returns of drilling fluid and pit volumes
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
RIIOGD203A - Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems
Assessment task 1: [title]
Student name:
Student ID:
I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.
Student signature:
Result: Competent Not yet competent
Feedback to student
Assessor name:
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Assessment Record Sheet
RIIOGD203A - Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems
Student name:
Student ID:
Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent