ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for the construction of geothermal wells

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 to gain general agreement on drilling plan

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

1.7. Provide details of the completed well to the appropriate authorities as required by the relevant state/territory legislation

2. Design geothermal wells

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

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

2.3. Select appropriate bore/surface casing for the anticipated ground conditions and construction techniques

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

3. Construct geothermal wells

3.1. Use approved procedures to assemble and insert casing

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

3.3. Grout or otherwise seal surface casing

3.4. Conduct grouting operations to seal intermediate and/or production casing strings or to seal selected zones

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

3.6. Maintain plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations

3.7. Recognise symptoms of a formation kick and take action to control the well

3.8. Maintain adequate supplies of water on site to quench the well if required

3.9. Collect, record and label formation samples

3.10. Maintain records accurately and legibly

3.11. Accurately calculate hole, annular, grout and mud pit volumes in cubic metres or litres

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

3.13. Maintain tool string inventories

4. Develop bore

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

5. Carry out well maintenance and rehabilitation

5.1. Undertake a process of diagnosis to determine likely cause of well deterioration

5.2. Devise a program of rehabilitation to ensure that the well is restored to a reasonable condition

6. Decommission test/bore holes

6.1. Determine suitable decommissioning procedures and select appropriate materials

6.2. Carry out the decommissioning (abandonment) of test holes or wells in geothermal systems

6.3. Verify position/location of hole for future reference

6.4. Dispose of drill and other fluids safely

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 geothermal wells:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

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

calculate hole and annular volumes

calculate grout specific gravity

calculate drilling fluid specific gravity to control formation fluid pressure

use Blow Out Preventers

apply writing skills to complete a range of documents including:

state/territory bore completion report

daily drill operation report

diagrams

brief descriptions

apply reading and interpreting of materials including:

plans

diagrams

drill log

graphs

Note: licences required may include:

Water Well licence (Class 3)

Licence for particular drilling method:

rotary mud

Bore Construction Permit

Bore Development/Works Approval

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 geothermal wells:

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, geothermal systems, drillability and stability

potential safety hazards when siting a well

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

Blow Out Prevention procedures and techniques

appropriate casing materials for various applications

hole preparation for cementing (grouting) operations

effects of various cement (grout) additives

pressure cementing methods

casing collapse characteristics

appropriate headworks design for geothermal well applications

types of drilling fluids

problem solving techniques

grout placement methods and procedures

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

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 the construction of geothermal wells

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the construction of geothermal wells

working with others to plan, prepare and conduct the construction of geothermal wells

evidence of the consistent successful construction of geothermal wells

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 geothermal wells

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

Australian standards

code of practice

Employment and Workplace Relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

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:

discussion of scope of work with client and other relevant parties to gain general agreement on drilling plan, and regular communication about progress, and/or problems encountered

other equipment operators

maintenance personnel

supervisors

site personnel

Documented information may include:

results of test hole

geothermal data and reports

geological data

old bore hole logs

Local geographic/geological knowledge may include:

interpretation of soft/hard zones

losses of drilling fluid

Procedures to assemble and insert casing may include:

welding (steel)

Equipment for assembly may include:

hand tools

power driven (electric, hydraulic or air) hand tools

welder