ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task

1.3. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards

1.4. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities

1.5. Discuss scope of work with client and give technical advice, cost structure, workmanship warranty, quantity and quality of materials, construction standards and methods to be used and gain general agreement on drilling plan

1.6. Provide detailed strata logs, pump and development test results conducted during bore development and water and strata samples to the appropriate authorities as required by the relevant State/Territory legislation/licensing agency

1.7. Complete all requirements for bore completion reports, decommissioning or abandonment and send to regulatory authorities within the time specified on bore licence

2. Design production bores for artesian aquifer systems

2.1. Determine most appropriate construction methods from the reading and interpretation of all available documented information

2.2. Design the bore to ensure the exclusion of unsuitable waters and to prevent the inter-mixing of aquifers with different water quality and/or Standing Water Levels

2.3. Determine a drilling fluid program to suit the expected down-hole conditions and anticipated pressures

2.4. Select a bore site that will prevent contamination and minimise interference with other bores and that is safe with respect to potential occupational health and safety hazards

2.5. Select likely water entry mechanism from the formation to the bore such as open hole, slotted casing screens, gravel packs

2.6. Calculate appropriate artificial pack design parameters, and recommended annular thicknesses required

2.7. Undertake calculations to determine appropriate screen/slot design parameters (e.g. diameter, length, aperture size)

2.8. Plot and interpret sieve analysis results onto graphs

2.9. Select appropriate bore/surface casing types, size, strength and wall thicknesses for the anticipated ground/water quality and pressure conditions and any construction requirements

2.10. Ensure all necessary materials anticipated for the job are available and on site prior to commencement of construction phase

3. Construct production bores in artesian aquifer systems

3.1. Use approved procedures to select, slot, assemble and insert casing and screens suitable for the formations in which they are deployed

3.2. Use equipment for assembly and slotting safely and in accordance with approved procedures

3.3. Select, mix and place grout or otherwise seal surface casing from 10 m into competent impermeable strata and back to the surface with a minimum sheath thickness of 20mm above maximum shoe of coupling joint diameter size

3.4. Conduct grouting operations to seal intermediate and/or inner production casing strings with a 15mm minimum thickness grout sheath or to seal selected zones so that the water from the production bore is drawn from one primary formation only, (unless otherwise allowed by the permit)

3.5. Construct bore in accordance with any applicable regulations, minimum construction requirements and the organisation's internal procedures

3.6. Use and maintain drilling fluids and additives within the manufacturer's recommendations and that are non toxic and capable of complete removal from the bore upon completion

3.7. Maintain, test and record fluid properties such as viscosity, mud weight, filtration and sand content so that the potential capacity, efficiency or quality of the bore is not affected

3.8. Maintain plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations and carry out a plumbness test if required

3.9. Prepare for and recognise symptoms of a formation kick and take action to control the bore

3.10. Collect, store, record, label and transport formation samples in accordance with licensing requirements

3.11. Collect, test, store, record, label and transport water samples for chemical analysis in accordance with licensing requirements

3.12. Maintain all records accurately and legibly

3.13. Arrange for geophysical logging tools to be run in bore if required

3.14. Accurately calculate hole, annular fill or pack materials and mud pit volumes in cubic metres or litres

3.15. Determine aquifer formation grain size distribution from sieve analysis and interpret appropriate gravel pack and screen slot aperture dimensions for gravel packed wells

3.16. Select appropriate gravel pack materials

3.17. Place artificial pack material in a manner that will ensure uniform distribution in the annular space without bridging

3.18. Comply with relevant workplace occupational health and safety requirements for both the drilling equipment and construction materials

3.19. Remove drilling fluids from the bore to allow subsequent development

3.20. Maintain tool string inventories

3.21. Construct headworks for the bore including isolation valves to retain/control artesian flow and to permit independent testing of both pressure and flow without interference to reticulation system

3.22. Identify and protect headworks of the bore

3.23. Construct headworks to seal and cap the bore from surface water pollutants, environmental concerns and damage

3.24. Dispose of/neutralise wastewater or hazardous materials from site and complete restoration of the bore site camp facilities

4. Develop bore

4.1. Use development techniques with care to prevent collapsing of casing or screens

4.2. Use development techniques to maintain and improve hydraulic transmissivity around the bore

4.3. Undertake development until a continuous, clean supply of water is obtained, in accordance with acceptable and practical limits set by site, contractual or regulatory requirements

4.4. Measure/calculate and record standing and drawdown water levels

4.5. Perform pump and or development tests to estimate the sand content and sustainable yield of the bore

5. Disinfect/decontaminate bore and drilling equipment

5.1. Disinfect/decontaminate to comply with relevant standards or regulatory requirements

5.2. Handle hazardous chemicals in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations/instructions and any relevant legislative/regulatory requirements

6. Carry out bore maintenance and rehabilitation

6.1. Undertake a process of diagnosis to determine likely cause of bore deterioration

6.2. Devise a program of rehabilitation to ensure that the bore is restored to a reasonable condition

6.3. Wear appropriate/recommended personal protective equipment when handling hazardous cleaning chemicals and follow manufacturer's recommendations

7. Decommission artesian wells with flowing and/or nonflowing elements

7.1. Determine suitable decommissioning procedures and select appropriate materials

7.2. Carry out the decommissioning (abandonment) of artesian aquifer bores, using min 20m long cement plugs sufficient to stem the flow between aquifers both from inside and outside the casing, (slot casing as necessary) or to separate aquifers of differing water quality from each other

7.3. Place cement bridges at the top of the surface casing and at the surface casing shoe

7.4. Verify position/location of hole for future reference

7.5. Dispose of drill and other fluids safely

7.6. Record entire decommissioning procedure and details of bore cementing

7.7. Complete bore completion report and submit to State/Territory Water Authority

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 construct artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for supervision of the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

aquifer sand sieve analysis tests

calculation of the specific capacity of a bore

calculation of grout component quantities, i.e. cement powder, water and other additives as required

calculation of hole and annular volumes

calculation of grout specific gravity

determination of grain size and selection of appropriate artificial pack material

calculation of total pressure head for artesian aquifers

calculation of mud specific gravity to control formation fluid pressure

use and baryte and or salt to weight drilling fluids

numerical including calculations such as:

volume (e.g. mud pits, drums, tanks or bore holes of given dimensions, annulus)

up hole velocity

cement/water/additives quantities

screen design parameters

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

conversion from imperial to metric and vice versa

conducting a sieve analysis

required mud weight to control formation fluid pressures

writing tasks including:

state/territory bore completion report

daily drill operation report

diagrams

brief descriptions

plotting information on a graph (e.g. plotting results from a sieve analysis)

reading and interpreting materials including:

plans

diagrams

bore log

graphs

books

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 construct artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores:

legal requirements under the relevant State/Territory Water Act

equipment - characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

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 rock/soil types including:

aquifer systems

drillability

stability

potential safety hazards and sources of contamination when siting a bore

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

requirements for water sampling for laboratory testing

tests for alignment and plumbness of bores

appropriate casing materials for various applications

hole preparation for cementing (grouting) operations

effects of various cement (grout) additives

pressure cementing methods

casing collapse characteristics

applications for wire-wound screens

screen design parameters to ensure appropriate entrance velocities

interpretation of sieve analysis results

applications for natural pack, stabilising fill and artificial pack completion techniques

objectives of bore development

test pumping procedures

flow recession test procedures

appropriate disinfecting chemicals and procedures

appropriate headworks design for class 3 bore applications

characteristics of 'good samples' required for water well construction

ways in which sampling errors can occur

types of drilling fluids, their selection, use, testing and conditioning

problem solving techniques

grout placement methods and procedures including pressure grouting

range of numerical calculations

relevant occupational health and safety requirements including principles of Duty of Care

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

use of materials safety data sheets (MSDS)

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 supervision of the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient supervision of the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

working with others to plan, prepare and conduct supervision of the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

evidence of the consistent successful supervision of the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

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.

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 construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in the construction of artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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, organisational and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

code of practice

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

licences including:

Water Well licence (Class 3)

Licence for particular drilling method such as:

cable tool

auger

rotary air

rotary mud

Bore Construction Permit

Bore Development/Works Approval

Australian standards (e.g. AS 2368 - Test Pumping Water Bores)

ARMCANZ Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia July 1997

Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:

nature and scope of tasks

specifications

quality of finished works

achieved targets

operational conditions

obtaining of required permits

site layout

out of bounds areas

worksite inspection requirements

lighting conditions

plant of equipment defects

coordination requirements or issues

contamination control requirements

environmental control requirements

barricade and signage requirements

Hazards may include:

working in proximity to drilling rig

Coordination requirements may include:

regular up to date information on progress, and/or problems encountered to client and/or other relevant parties.

other equipment operators

maintenance personnel

supervisors

site personnel

Bore development may include:

chemical

air lift surging and pumping

over pumping

Documented information may include:

results of test hole

hydrogeological data and reports

geological data

old bore hole logs

results from sieve analysis tests

geophysical logging results

Design the bore may include:

geophysical logs

physical samples

results of mechanical testing of soils

water test analyses

interpretation of soft/hard zones

losses of drilling fluid

bore log and in hole test results/measurements

records of nearby bores

geological maps

Procedures may include:

solvent cement (PVC)

stainless steel screws (PVC)

welding (steel)

threaded (PC, FRP, ABS)

locking strip or wire rope casing joiners

Equipment for assembly and slotting may include:

hand tools

power driven (electric, hydraulic or air) tools/equipment

casing lifter sockets

pipe cutter and beveller

welder and oxy cutter

solvent

centralisers