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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for operations
   • Obtain, interpret and confirm work requirements
   • Access, interpret and apply drilling fluid system documentation and confirm work activity is compliant
   • Identify and minimise environmental issues and potential hazards, and assess and address risks within scope of own role and according to workplace procedures
   • Select the personal protective equipment required for work activity
   • Communicate with other personnel on site as required and confirm briefings and handover details are communicated and received
   • Assess geographic layout and confirm type of fluid system in use is suitable
   • Assess operation of mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves
   • Identify and locate mud pump and discharge system
2. Establish operational requirements
   • Clarify difficulties in carrying out instructions with relevant personnel
   • Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work
   • Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities
   • Confirm availability of required quantities and type of consumables
   • Identify errors, omissions and shortages and take remedial action as required within functional responsibility
3. Select and test equipment
   • Identify and select equipment required for work activities
   • Identify defects in equipment and take remedial action as required within functional responsibility
   • Confirm equipment is functional and fit for purpose and environment in which it will be used
   • Lubricate fluid circulation components
4. Prepare drilling fluids
   • Confirm availability of sufficient quantities and types of fluids against operational requirements
   • Confirm tanks and mixing equipment are clean and free from contamination according to instructions
   • Mix and treat fluids to specification
   • Obtain, label in writing and store samples according to workplace procedures and operational requirements
5. Pump drilling fluids and record data
   • Confirm recording and monitoring devices are pre-set to required parameters
   • Operate equipment according to safety and operational requirements
   • Assist with weighing and measuring viscosity of samples and record details
   • Record in writing data at scheduled times and frequencies according to operational requirements
6. Conduct hopper system operating procedures
   • Identify type of hopper system
   • Operate and maintain hopper system and associated components
   • Measure, calculate and log in writing mud properties
   • Recognise, record and report changes in returns of drilling fluid and pit volumes

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

prepare and operate drilling fluid systems on at least two occasions, including:

maintaining and operating mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves in the mud pits system

adding mud materials to mud systems as instructed

taking and recording mud properties readings.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply documentation required for preparing and operating drilling fluid systems

conform to safe working practices and operational requirements

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for preparing and operating drilling fluid systems, including:

operating and maintaining all mud treatment units

interpreting and acting on additional flow in the mud returns or an increase in mud pit volume

lubricating fluid circulation components

work with others to preparing and operating drilling fluid systems tasks that meet required outcomes, including:

organising work activities to meet task requirements

communicating with others to receive and clarify work instructions.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key policies, procedures and established requirements for preparing and operating drilling fluid systems, including those for:

work health and safety and individual obligations

operating and maintaining equipment including hopper system

rig maintenance

chemical handling

preparing and pumping drilling fluids

complying with safety data sheets (SDS)

principles of the systems, equipment and their relationship to other plant

rig safety and emergency procedures

the layout of mud circulating, mixing and suction systems

non-routine drilling operations

compliance with personnel and rig management procedures layout of shaker, degasser and settling pits, and sand traps

key factors affecting work activities described in performance evidence above, including:

fluid types and composition

geographic layout

type of fluid system in use

hazards relevant to preparing and operating drilling fluid systems

drilling team roles and objectives.

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