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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for the construction of geothermal wells
   • Access, interpret and apply construction of the geothermal wells documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
   • Communicate and coordinate activities with others throughout the work activity
   • Discuss scope of work with client to gain general agreement on drilling plan
   • Communicate regular up to date information on progress, and/or problems encountered to client and/or other relevant parties
   • Provide details of the completed well to the appropriate authorities as required by the relevant state/territory legislation
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
2. Design geothermal wells
   • Determine most appropriate construction methods from the reading and interpretation of all available documented information and local geographic/geological knowledge
   • Determine a drilling fluid program to suit the expected down-hole conditions and anticipated pressures/temperatures
   • Select appropriate bore/surface casing for the anticipated ground conditions and construction techniques
   • Ensure all necessary materials anticipated for the job are available and on site prior to commencement of construction phase
3. Construct geothermal wells
   • Carry out any pre-start and start up procedures
   • Identify, select and apply rig operational controls
   • Assemble and insert casing
   • Grout or otherwise seal surface casing
   • Conduct grouting operations to seal intermediate and/or production casing strings or to seal selected zones
   • Construct well in accordance with any applicable regulations, minimum construction requirements and the organisation’s internal procedures
   • Maintain plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations
   • Recognise symptoms of a formation kick and take action to control the well
   • Maintain adequate supplies of water on site to quench the well if required
   • Collect, record and label formation samples
   • Maintain records accurately and legibly
   • Accurately calculate hole, annular, grout and mud pit volumes in cubic metres or litres
   • Comply with relevant workplace occupational health and safety requirements for both the drilling equipment and construction materials
   • Maintain tool string inventories
4. Develop bore
   • Use development techniques with care to prevent collapsing of casing or blow outs
   • Develop bore hole
5. Carry out well maintenance and rehabilitation
   • Undertake a process of diagnosis to determine likely cause of well deterioration
   • Devise a program of rehabilitation to ensure that the well is restored to a reasonable condition
6. Decommission test/bore holes
   • Determine suitable decommissioning procedures and select appropriate materials
   • Carry out the decommissioning (abandonment) of test holes or wells in geothermal systems
   • Verify position/location of hole for future reference
   • Dispose of drill and other fluids safely
   • Carry out housekeeping requirements
7. Plan and prepare for the construction of geothermal wells
   • Access, interpret and apply construction of the geothermal wells documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
   • Communicate and coordinate activities with others throughout the work activity
   • Discuss scope of work with client to gain general agreement on drilling plan
   • Communicate regular up to date information on progress, and/or problems encountered to client and/or other relevant parties
   • Provide details of the completed well to the appropriate authorities as required by the relevant state/territory legislation
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
8. Design geothermal wells
   • Determine most appropriate construction methods from the reading and interpretation of all available documented information and local geographic/geological knowledge
   • Determine a drilling fluid program to suit the expected down-hole conditions and anticipated pressures/temperatures
   • Select appropriate bore/surface casing for the anticipated ground conditions and construction techniques
   • Ensure all necessary materials anticipated for the job are available and on site prior to commencement of construction phase
9. Construct geothermal wells
   • Carry out any pre-start and start up procedures
   • Identify, select and apply rig operational controls
   • Assemble and insert casing
   • Grout or otherwise seal surface casing
   • Conduct grouting operations to seal intermediate and/or production casing strings or to seal selected zones
   • Construct well in accordance with any applicable regulations, minimum construction requirements and the organisation’s internal procedures
   • Maintain plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations
   • Recognise symptoms of a formation kick and take action to control the well
   • Maintain adequate supplies of water on site to quench the well if required
   • Collect, record and label formation samples
   • Maintain records accurately and legibly
   • Accurately calculate hole, annular, grout and mud pit volumes in cubic metres or litres
   • Comply with relevant workplace occupational health and safety requirements for both the drilling equipment and construction materials
   • Maintain tool string inventories
10. Develop bore
    • Use development techniques with care to prevent collapsing of casing or blow outs
    • Develop bore hole
11. Carry out well maintenance and rehabilitation
    • Undertake a process of diagnosis to determine likely cause of well deterioration
    • Devise a program of rehabilitation to ensure that the well is restored to a reasonable condition
12. Decommission test/bore holes
    • Determine suitable decommissioning procedures and select appropriate materials
    • Carry out the decommissioning (abandonment) of test holes or wells in geothermal systems
    • Verify position/location of hole for future reference
    • Dispose of drill and other fluids safely
    • Carry out housekeeping requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to plan, prepare and conduct the construction of geothermal wells including:

communicating clear and timely instructions to those involved

preparing for and conducting briefings, toolbox and site meetings

maintaining clear and legible written records and the reports

demonstrates completion of the construction of geothermal wells that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

determining most appropriate construction methods from the reading and interpretation of all available documented information and local geographic/geological knowledge

selecting appropriate bore/surface casing for the anticipated ground conditions and construction techniques

completing grouting operations to seal intermediate and/or production casing strings or to seal selected zones

maintaining plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations

using development techniques to prevent collapsing of casing or blow outs

carrying out the decommissioning (abandonment) of test holes or wells in geothermal systems

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in, when constructing geothermal wells through:

work, health and safety

environmental issues

operating drill rig

housekeeping

the equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

the basic geological formations, i.e. basic knowledge of both soil and rock classifications and various formations which permit groundwater movement and factors affecting groundwater quality for aquifer systems, including drillability and stability

potential safety hazards and sources of contamination when siting a well

the necessity of having a signed agreement/contract with the client

applying Blow Out Prevention procedures and techniques

appropriate casing materials for various applications

managing hole preparation for cementing (grouting) operations

effects of various cement (grout) additives

using pressure cementing methods

casing collapse characteristics

applying appropriate headworks design for geothermal well applications

types of drilling fluids

using grout placement methods and procedures

applying a range of numerical calculations including:

volume (e.g. mud pits, drums, tanks or wells of given dimensions)

up hole velocity

cement/water/additives quantities

flow rates (e.g. L/sec, GPM)

conversion from imperial to metric and vice versa

required mud weight to control formation fluid pressures

appropriate fishing operations for the type(s) of drilling being undertaken

using of materials safety data sheets (MSDS)

being prepared for fire/accident/emergency

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