Assessor Resource

RIINHB311E
Conduct mud rotary drilling operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct mud rotary drilling. It includes making up drill fluid, installation and monitoring of equipment and maintenance procedures.

It 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.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 mud rotary drilling on at least two occasions, including:

planning and preparing for mud rotary drilling, by:

developing a work plan for a hole, outlining:

environmental practice

health and safety considerations

target depth

construction materials to be used

equipment to be used

mud design

grouting if required

conducting pre-start and shutdown checks

making up and checking drill string and down hole assembly for wear, gauge and damaged threads to ensure components are in suitable condition

operating mud rotary drill, including:

designing and adjusting mud system to suit geological conditions and changes to conditions during drilling, including:

lost circulation

water supply

flow rates

fluid cleaning

hole stability

conducting sampling to confirm drilling fluids are suitable for application by testing:

density

viscosity

pH levels

velocity

pressure control

weight control

filtration levels

monitoring and adjusting up hole velocity as required

installing collar casing and seal

adjusting feed and rotation as required

installing production casings, screens and grout if required

disposing of drill fluids no longer required

conducting routine checks and performing maintenance.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures

identify and control any hazardous conditions and contaminants

apply solutions to identified problems, including if applicable:

significant drilling operational issues including unexpected geology

loss circulation zones

swelling/shales

weight/pressure control

read, interpret and apply safety data sheets (SDS) for handling hazardous materials

communicate with clients, co-workers and management to receive and clarify work instructions and coordinate work activities prior to commencing

comply with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures associated with mud rotary drilling operations.

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 policies, procedures and established requirements for conducting mud rotary drilling, including those for:

workplace health and safety

emergencies

environmental practice

set up and installation of drilling equipment and materials

processes for mud mixing and conditioning

maintenance and repair

basic geological data

lag time and up hole velocity

key factors affecting work activities described in performance evidence above, including:

types of mud and water delivery pumps and their applications

types of formations and effects on drilling fluids

types of fluids, including properties and functions of fluids

types of bits, rods and casings and their functions.

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

include access to:

equipment required to conduct mud rotary drilling

personal protective equipment

be conducted in a safe environment

be assessed in context of the sector's work environment

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

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/AQTF 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:

Industry sector

AQF indicator level***

Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction

1

1 year

2

2 years

Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction

3-6

3 years

Other sectors

Where this unit is being assessed outside of the resources and infrastructure sectors assessor and/or industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*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.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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 mud rotary drilling on at least two occasions, including:

planning and preparing for mud rotary drilling, by:

developing a work plan for a hole, outlining:

environmental practice

health and safety considerations

target depth

construction materials to be used

equipment to be used

mud design

grouting if required

conducting pre-start and shutdown checks

making up and checking drill string and down hole assembly for wear, gauge and damaged threads to ensure components are in suitable condition

operating mud rotary drill, including:

designing and adjusting mud system to suit geological conditions and changes to conditions during drilling, including:

lost circulation

water supply

flow rates

fluid cleaning

hole stability

conducting sampling to confirm drilling fluids are suitable for application by testing:

density

viscosity

pH levels

velocity

pressure control

weight control

filtration levels

monitoring and adjusting up hole velocity as required

installing collar casing and seal

adjusting feed and rotation as required

installing production casings, screens and grout if required

disposing of drill fluids no longer required

conducting routine checks and performing maintenance.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures

identify and control any hazardous conditions and contaminants

apply solutions to identified problems, including if applicable:

significant drilling operational issues including unexpected geology

loss circulation zones

swelling/shales

weight/pressure control

read, interpret and apply safety data sheets (SDS) for handling hazardous materials

communicate with clients, co-workers and management to receive and clarify work instructions and coordinate work activities prior to commencing

comply with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures associated with mud rotary drilling operations.

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 policies, procedures and established requirements for conducting mud rotary drilling, including those for:

workplace health and safety

emergencies

environmental practice

set up and installation of drilling equipment and materials

processes for mud mixing and conditioning

maintenance and repair

basic geological data

lag time and up hole velocity

key factors affecting work activities described in performance evidence above, including:

types of mud and water delivery pumps and their applications

types of formations and effects on drilling fluids

types of fluids, including properties and functions of fluids

types of bits, rods and casings and their functions.

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

include access to:

equipment required to conduct mud rotary drilling

personal protective equipment

be conducted in a safe environment

be assessed in context of the sector's work environment

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

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/AQTF 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:

Industry sector

AQF indicator level***

Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction

1

1 year

2

2 years

Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction

3-6

3 years

Other sectors

Where this unit is being assessed outside of the resources and infrastructure sectors assessor and/or industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*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.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain, interpret and confirm work requirements 
Access, interpret and apply mud rotary drilling documentation and confirm work activity is compliant 
Identify and minimise environmental issues and potential hazards, and assess and address risks within scope of own role and according to workplace procedures 
Select and wear personal protective equipment required for work activities 
Communicate with other personnel at site according to work requirements and confirm briefings and handover details are communicated and received 
Carry out prestart and start-up procedures according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures 
Make up drill fluid according to work requirements 
Set up drill string, bits, rods and casings required to complete work activity 
Check, adjust and maintain fluid recirculation systems according to work requirements 
Install collar and seal according to work requirements 
Operate equipment and adjust parameters to suit conditions of the hole 
Install casing, grout and screens to correct zones according to work requirements 
Identify problems or faults and rectify or report within scope of own responsibility and according to workplace procedures 
Shut down and secure equipment in line with workplace procedures 
Follow maintenance schedule according to work requirements 
Complete and file or distribute documentation for drilling operations and equipment according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RIINHB311E - Conduct mud rotary drilling operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

RIINHB311E - Conduct mud rotary drilling operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: