Application
This unit of competency applies to field operators who are responsible for a number of wells and their associated systems. 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 appropriate action. This competency is typically performed by operators working independently while in communication with a senior operator or plant operator with whom they would work as part of a team. At all times they would be liaising and cooperating with other members of the team. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for work | 1.1. Identify work requirements 1.2. Identify and control hazards 1.3. Coordinate with appropriate personnel 1.4. Determine appropriate route/schedule for day's work |
2. Monitor site, plant and equipment | 2.1. Complete site checks 2.2. Use well control systems 2.3. Take required readings 2.4. Complete required lease maintenance |
3. Operate well/system | 3.1. Take appropriate action based on checks/readings made 3.2. Read and interpret well fluid levels 3.3. Adjust pump speed as required 3.4. Check meter readings validity as required 3.5. Complete required process related calculations 3.6. Recognise equipment/system faults and report as required 3.7. Adjust well/system as required by operational or other requirements 3.8. 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 an item of, or an entire system | 6.1. Isolate system in accordance with procedures 6.2. Make system safe as required 6.3. Check system is ready to be returned to service 6.4. 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 |
Required Skills
|
Required skills |
Required skills include: recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification operation implementing enterprise procedures within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the correct use of the equipment conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively maintaining appropriate levels of quality assurance reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information mathematics to the level of calculating volumetric flow rates and other process/equipment conditions (e.g. efficiency) |
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes: coal seam gas (CSG) formation, structure and completions coal type and structure well design and construction hydrate formation free flow and pumped wells pumping principles gas flow principles gas/water separation principles draining and venting requirements typical issues causing problems and the resolution of those problems lease requirements process parameters and limits (e.g. temperature, pressure, flow and pH) duty of care obligations hierarchy of control static electricity and earthing corrosion control and chemical handling and material safety data sheets (MSDS) communication protocols (e.g. radio, phone, computer, paper and permissions/authorities) routine problems, faults and their symptoms and the corrective action to be taken relevant alarms and actions plant process idiosyncrasies all items on a schematic of the plant item and the function/principles of operation, problem solving of each physics and chemistry relevant to each unit and the processes used flange pressure and temperature ratings (basic) cathodic protection (basic) relevant environmental and heritage requirements protective systems control systems remote terminal unit, functions, operation and problems downhole drawings (DHDs) and their application to plant/well operation mathematical formulae and their application to well flow rates and plant operation/efficiency pump, drivehead, fuel gas systems operations and principles fluid dynamics and statics as relevant to the system natural gas and oil characteristics reservoir management environmental aspects and conditions |
Evidence Required
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 | This unit of competency requires an application of the knowledge contained in the use of the equipment, to the level needed to maintain control and recognise and resolve problems. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment for this unit of competency will be on a plant. It is essential that the equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that: early warning signs of equipment processes needing attention or with potential problems are recognised the range of possible causes can be identified, analysed and the most likely cause determined appropriate action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance obvious problems in related plant/system areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution. Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations, which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation. Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios, role plays and 3D virtual reality interactive systems. In the case of evacuation training or training for competencies practised in life-threatening situations, simulation may be used for the bulk of the training. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions. |
Method of assessment | In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units. Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes. |
Guidance information for assessment | Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. |
Range Statement
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. | |
Procedures | Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They include: all work instructions standard operating procedures formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant For the purposes of this Training Package, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations All work will comply with procedures |
Site | Site may be: a well a nominated area in the gathering system another location where the operator is required to work |
Equipment | Typical items of plant and equipment included in this unit of competency are: wellheads chokes and control valves meters flow lines high point vents low point drains valves including non-return and pressure/vacuum relief pumps and their prime movers product separation units instrumentation and control systems (variable speed drive (VSD) and proportional integral derivative (PID)) testing equipment power units drive heads flares |
Equipment condition and operation checks and adjustments | Equipment condition and operation checks and adjustments may include: chemical injection equipment field flares storage tanks pumps and pump speed autodumps drains and drain points vents and high points leaks other items valve operation strainers (pump, line or other) drive head power units, belt tension and hydraulic oil levels fuel gas system/desiccant corrosion control system/cathodic protection control/float valves |
Levels | Levels may include: chemical storage levels lubricating oil levels water and gas levels battery levels drain levels other levels |
Required calculations | Required calculations may include: production figures comparison of figures to targets equipment efficiencies |
Logs and reports | Logs and reports may be paper or electronic based and may also include verbal/radio reports Reports include reporting items found which require action |
Appropriate action | Appropriate action includes: determining problems needing action determining possible fault causes rectifying problems using appropriate solution within area of responsibility following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person |
Lease maintenance areas requiring action | Lease maintenance areas requiring action may include: land erosion fence and gate integrity weeds and other growth actions of feral or other fauna other required items |
Identified faults | Identified faults may include: instrumentation failure/malfunction electrical failure/malfunction mechanical failure/malfunction control system failure/malfunction mismatch between flow rates and system requirements wear, tear and corrosion of plant and equipment quality measurement inaccuracy (e.g. analyser or sampling deficiency) |
Typical problems | Typical problems may include: 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 |
Health, safety and environment (HSE) | All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent 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 |
Sectors
Unit sector | Operational/technical |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.