This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to trip production string for well servicing operations in drilling. It prepares individuals to trip tubulars and operate racking system.

This unit applies to those working in operational roles. 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:

trip production string for well servicing operations on at least two occasions, including:

removing thread protectors, drifting, cleaning and lubricating threads

checking joints for damage to threads, sealing surfaces and flapper valves where fitted

assembling and checking operating condition of running equipment, including slips, tongs, elevators, rubber clamp and protectors

lining up pumps to fill during running operations

working derrick correctly during tripping

steadying the rod during stabbing

releasing pick-up elevators when directed

aligning rod for make-up

latching side door or slip type elevators

checking grades of rod

measuring and recording rod in the numerical order in which it will be run into the hole

recognising and reporting equipment malfunction and failure.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply legislation, documentation, policies and procedures required to trip production string for well servicing operations

work with others to trip production string for well servicing operations, including:

supervising subordinates to provided standards

working as directed in a timely and efficient manner.

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 to trip production string for well servicing operations

key policies, procedures and established requirements to trip production string for well servicing operations, including those for:

carrying out rig maintenance

carrying out inspection, fault finding and reporting

carrying out non-routine operations

determining and responding to roles and responsibilities

personnel management

environmental issues

procedures for identifying thread identifications, rod size and grade

procedures for identifying rod torque parameters

types and characteristics of discharges including liquids, gases and solids

types and characteristics of hazardous materials.

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

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to trip production string for well servicing 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 Companion Volume 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.

Drilling (Well Servicing)