Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PMAOPS333 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate wells and gathering systems

Version 1.0
Issue Date: June 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PMAOPS333 - Operate wells and gathering systems
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to monitor and operate wells and associated equipment in the field.This unit of competency applies to work undertaken in any location in the field, including wells, nominated areas in the gathering system and other locations. This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the well/system. A unit comprises two or more components of plant/equipment that are operated together to produce product, including as appropriate to the facility:wellheadschokes and control valvesmetersflow lineshigh point ventslow point drainsvalves, including non-return and pressure/vacuum reliefpumps and their prime moversproduct separation unitsinstrumentation and control systems (e.g. variable speed drive (VSD) and proportional integral derivative (PID) control)testing equipmentpower unitsdrive headsflaresfuel gas systemschemical injection equipmentfield flaresstorage tanks.This unit of competency applies to field operators who are required to recognise, report and resolve problems, undertake readings and checks, and make adjustments to plant and equipment.In a typical scenario, the operator will be driving alone, on and off roads between wells and also to and from the base site or plant. While at a site, they will be operating and monitoring well and equipment performance by taking readings, making checks of and adjustments to plant and equipment. They will record and report their findings in accordance with procedures. They will also be expected to identify hazards and actual and potential process and plant problems and take action.This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, or other senior operator, as appropriate.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the use of industrial style wells and gathering systems requiring operation

may use industry-based simulation for part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Operations
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for work
  • Receive and give shift handover
  • Identify work requirements
  • Identify and control hazards
  • Coordinate with appropriate personnel
  • Check for recent work undertaken on well/gathering system
  • Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • Check operational status of well/gathering system
  • Determine appropriate route/schedule for day's work
       
Element: Monitor site, plant and equipment
  • Complete routine site and equipment checks, logs and paperwork taking action on readings in accordance with procedures
  • Use well control systems
  • Identify and complete required lease maintenance
       
Element: Operate well/ system in accordance with procedures
  • Read and interpret well/gathering system fluid levels
  • Adjust pump speed to meet required output
  • Check meter readings validity
  • Complete any process-related calculations
  • Recognise equipment/system faults and report
  • Adjust well/gathering system to meet operational or other requirements
  • Complete logs and reports as required
       
Element: Start up well/system
  • Perform pre-start up checks
  • Correctly sequence all required equipment/plant/systems
  • Bring equipment/plant/systems into operation as required
  • Monitor critical variables during start-up and make adjustments as required
  • Bring to required steady operating conditions smoothly and in an appropriate time
       
Element: Shut down well/ system
  • Determine type of shutdown required
  • Give advanced warning of shutdown where possible
  • Shut down individual items and/or the entire well/system
  • Shut down to standby condition if required
  • Shut down in an emergency if required
  • Reset trips and alarms after shutdown
  • Leave plant in the required condition after shutdown
       
Element: Isolate and de-isolate system or component plant item
  • Isolate system and/or any component plant item in accordance with procedures
  • Make safe for required work
  • Check system/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • De-isolate and prepare system for return to service.
       
Element: Finalise shift activities
  • Complete shift tasks as appropriate
  • Ensure identified faults are correctly logged/reported for action
  • Ensure incomplete tasks are scheduled for follow-up
  • Ensure all logs and reporting are complete and understood
       


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Receive and give shift handover

1.2

Identify work requirements

1.3

Identify and control hazards

1.4

Coordinate with appropriate personnel

1.5

Check for recent work undertaken on well/gathering system

1.6

Note any outstanding/incomplete work

1.7

Check operational status of well/gathering system

1.8

Determine appropriate route/schedule for day's work

2

Monitor site, plant and equipment

2.1

Complete routine site and equipment checks, logs and paperwork taking action on readings in accordance with procedures

2.2

Use well control systems

2.3

Identify and complete required lease maintenance

3

Operate well/ system in accordance with procedures

3.1

Read and interpret well/gathering system fluid levels

3.2

Adjust pump speed to meet required output

3.3

Check meter readings validity

3.4

Complete any process-related calculations

3.5

Recognise equipment/system faults and report

3.6

Adjust well/gathering system to meet operational or other requirements

3.7

Complete logs and reports as required

4

Start up well/system

4.1

Perform pre-start up checks

4.2

Correctly sequence all required equipment/plant/systems

4.3

Bring equipment/plant/systems into operation as required

4.4

Monitor critical variables during start-up and make adjustments as required

4.5

Bring to required steady operating conditions smoothly and in an appropriate time

5

Shut down well/ system

5.1

Determine type of shutdown required

5.2

Give advanced warning of shutdown where possible

5.3

Shut down individual items and/or the entire well/system

5.4

Shut down to standby condition if required

5.5

Shut down in an emergency if required

5.6

Reset trips and alarms after shutdown

5.7

Leave plant in the required condition after shutdown

6

Isolate and de-isolate system or component plant item

6.1

Isolate system and/or any component plant item in accordance with procedures

6.2

Make safe for required work

6.3

Check system/plant item is ready to be returned to service

6.4

De-isolate and prepare system for return to service.

7

Finalise shift activities

7.1

Complete shift tasks as appropriate

7.2

Ensure identified faults are correctly logged/reported for action

7.3

Ensure incomplete tasks are scheduled for follow-up

7.4

Ensure all logs and reporting are complete and understood

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

undertake readings and observations to operate and monitor system and maximise performance

perform pre-start checks, start-up/shutdown procedures, and isolations and de-isolations

interpret fluid level readings and maintain fluid levels

identify early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems and take action

identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures

communicate effectively with team, group, supervisors and other personnel

calculate volumetric flow rates and equipment efficiencies.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

all items on a schematic of the production unit and functions of each, downhole drawings (DHDs) and their application to plant/well operation

principles of operation of plant/equipment, reservoir management, free flow and pumped wells, pumping principles, gas flow principles, gas/water separation principles, draining and venting requirements, remote terminal unit, functions, operation and problems

interactions between plant items/processes

systems’ operating parameters, integrity limits, product specifications and tolerances, flange pressure and temperature ratings (basic), temperature, pressure and flow

process-specific science (physics and geology) to the level of being able to interpret the science and extract factors controlling the process and product, and including coal seam gas (CSG) formation, structure and completions, coal type and structure, well design and construction, fluid dynamics and statics as relevant to the system, natural gas and oil characteristics, hydrate formation, cathodic protection (basic), static electricity and earthing, corrosion control and chemical handling, and safety data sheets (SDS)

local lease and well operations requirements and constraints

impact of external factors (e.g. variations in weather and feed)

function and troubleshooting of major components, problems and their solutions

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Receive and give shift handover

1.2

Identify work requirements

1.3

Identify and control hazards

1.4

Coordinate with appropriate personnel

1.5

Check for recent work undertaken on well/gathering system

1.6

Note any outstanding/incomplete work

1.7

Check operational status of well/gathering system

1.8

Determine appropriate route/schedule for day's work

2

Monitor site, plant and equipment

2.1

Complete routine site and equipment checks, logs and paperwork taking action on readings in accordance with procedures

2.2

Use well control systems

2.3

Identify and complete required lease maintenance

3

Operate well/ system in accordance with procedures

3.1

Read and interpret well/gathering system fluid levels

3.2

Adjust pump speed to meet required output

3.3

Check meter readings validity

3.4

Complete any process-related calculations

3.5

Recognise equipment/system faults and report

3.6

Adjust well/gathering system to meet operational or other requirements

3.7

Complete logs and reports as required

4

Start up well/system

4.1

Perform pre-start up checks

4.2

Correctly sequence all required equipment/plant/systems

4.3

Bring equipment/plant/systems into operation as required

4.4

Monitor critical variables during start-up and make adjustments as required

4.5

Bring to required steady operating conditions smoothly and in an appropriate time

5

Shut down well/ system

5.1

Determine type of shutdown required

5.2

Give advanced warning of shutdown where possible

5.3

Shut down individual items and/or the entire well/system

5.4

Shut down to standby condition if required

5.5

Shut down in an emergency if required

5.6

Reset trips and alarms after shutdown

5.7

Leave plant in the required condition after shutdown

6

Isolate and de-isolate system or component plant item

6.1

Isolate system and/or any component plant item in accordance with procedures

6.2

Make safe for required work

6.3

Check system/plant item is ready to be returned to service

6.4

De-isolate and prepare system for return to service.

7

Finalise shift activities

7.1

Complete shift tasks as appropriate

7.2

Ensure identified faults are correctly logged/reported for action

7.3

Ensure incomplete tasks are scheduled for follow-up

7.4

Ensure all logs and reporting are complete and understood

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)

industry codes of practice and guidelines

environmental regulations and guidelines

Australian and other standards

licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Hazards

Hazards include one or more of the following:

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

structural hazards

structural collapse

equipment failures

industrial (machinery, equipment and product)

equipment or product mass

noise, rotational equipment or vibration

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours

flammability and explosivity

hazardous products and materials

unauthorised personnel

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

extreme weather

other hazards that might arise

Routine problems

Routine problems are predictable, have known solutions and include one or more of the following:

leakage

solids (formation fines)

vibration

loss of control of pressure and/or flow

hydrate formation and blockages

liquid slugging

corrosion

erosion

sulphate reducing bacteria

scale formation

equipment failure

change in product parameters (e.g. temperature, flow, pressure and level)

fouling or contamination

Non-routine problems

Non-routine problems are unexpected problems, or variations of previous problems and must be resolved by applying operational knowledge to develop new solutions, either individually or in collaboration with relevant experts, to:

determine problems needing action

determine possible fault causes

develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution

follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Operational knowledge includes one or more of the following:

procedures

training

technical information, such as journals and engineering specifications

remembered experience

relevant knowledge obtained from appropriate people

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Product

Product includes anything produced by a process step and so includes:

intermediate products, such as the product from one process step, which then becomes the feed for another

Logs and reports

Logs and reports include one or more of the following:

paper or electronic-based logs and reports

verbal/radio reports

reporting items found which require action

Lease maintenance areas requiring action

Lease maintenance areas requiring action include one or more of the following:

land erosion

fence and gate integrity

weeds and other growth

actions of feral or other fauna

other required items

Levels

Levels include one or more of the following:

chemical storage levels

lubricating oil levels

water and gas levels

battery levels

drain levels

other levels

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
Receive and give shift handover 
Identify work requirements 
Identify and control hazards 
Coordinate with appropriate personnel 
Check for recent work undertaken on well/gathering system 
Note any outstanding/incomplete work 
Check operational status of well/gathering system 
Determine appropriate route/schedule for day's work 
Complete routine site and equipment checks, logs and paperwork taking action on readings in accordance with procedures 
Use well control systems 
Identify and complete required lease maintenance 
Read and interpret well/gathering system fluid levels 
Adjust pump speed to meet required output 
Check meter readings validity 
Complete any process-related calculations 
Recognise equipment/system faults and report 
Adjust well/gathering system to meet operational or other requirements 
Complete logs and reports as required 
Perform pre-start up checks 
Correctly sequence all required equipment/plant/systems 
Bring equipment/plant/systems into operation as required 
Monitor critical variables during start-up and make adjustments as required 
Bring to required steady operating conditions smoothly and in an appropriate time 
Determine type of shutdown required 
Give advanced warning of shutdown where possible 
Shut down individual items and/or the entire well/system 
Shut down to standby condition if required 
Shut down in an emergency if required 
Reset trips and alarms after shutdown 
Leave plant in the required condition after shutdown 
Isolate system and/or any component plant item in accordance with procedures 
Make safe for required work 
Check system/plant item is ready to be returned to service 
De-isolate and prepare system for return to service. 
Complete shift tasks as appropriate 
Ensure identified faults are correctly logged/reported for action 
Ensure incomplete tasks are scheduled for follow-up 
Ensure all logs and reporting are complete and understood 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAOPS333 - Operate wells and gathering 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:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PMAOPS333 - Operate wells and gathering systems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: