This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct and maintain well servicing derrick operations in drilling. It prepares individuals to handle tubulars and equipment, prepare hole for circulation with air/fluid, participate in head-up and pressure tests and clean out well bore/drill plugs.

This unit applies to those working in an operational role. They generally perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications in a wide variety of contexts, which may involve some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services and contingency measures.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that may apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

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:

conduct and maintain well servicing derrick operations on at least two occasions, including:

loading rod racks, strap and number tubulars

cleaning out well bore/drill plugs

converting metric and imperial measurements

applying numeracy skills to calculate:

fractions, decimals, percentages

volume

quantities

weight

length

density/specific gravity

temperature

ph (power of hydrogen)

basic geometry

performing shutdown and rig out procedures.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required documentation, policies and procedures

work with others to conduct and maintain well servicing derrick operations that meet required outcomes, including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating with others to meet coordination requirements throughout work activities

maintain housekeeping processes during drilling.

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 legislation required for conducting and maintaining well servicing derrick operations

key policies, procedures and requirements for conducting and maintaining well servicing derrick operations, including those for:

equipment malfunction or failure

supervising and training others to provided standards

environmental and safety issues

routine maintenance of derrick

preparing for drilling operations

preparing for the tripping of tubulars

cleaning circulation system and operating well

equipment and rig maintenance

waste disposal

converting between metric and imperial

milling operations

housekeeping

assistance required by driller in handling and nippling-up of blow out prevention stack

types and functions of blow out prevention equipment

basic geometry relevant to conducting and maintaining well servicing derrick operations including interpreting depth, direction and azimuth and dip of hole

well servicing team roles, objectives and management structure.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to conduct and maintain well servicing derrick operations

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII implementation guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.