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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for operations
   • Access, interpret and apply drilling fluid system documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select the personal protective equipment appropriate for the work activity
   • Conform to safe working practices and current legislative and operational requirements
   • Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing, during and on completion of the work activities
   • Assess geographic layout is appropriate for the type of fluid system in use
   • Assess operation of mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves
   • Identify and locate mud pump and discharge system
2. Establish operational requirements
   • Clarify difficulties in carrying out the instructions with the relevant personnel
   • Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work
   • Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities
   • Confirm availability of required quantities and type of consumables
   • Identify errors, omissions and shortages and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
3. Select and test equipment
   • Identify and select equipment appropriate for the work to be performed
   • Confirm equipment is functional and fit for the purpose and the environment in which it will be used
   • Identify defects in the equipment and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
   • Lubricate fluid circulation components
4. Prepare drilling fluids
   • Confirm availability of sufficient quantities and types of fluids against operational requirements
   • Confirm tanks and mixing equipment are clean and free from contamination in accordance with instructions
   • Mix and treat fluids to specification
   • Obtain, correctly label in writing and store samples
   • Identify defects in the equipment and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
5. Pump drilling fluids
   • Confirm recording and monitoring devices are pre-set to required parameters
   • Operate equipment
   • Identify faults and defects accurately and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
   • Assist with obtaining samples, weigh, measure viscosity and record details
   • Record in writing data accurately at appropriate times and frequencies in accordance with operational requirements
6. Operate hopper system
   • Recognise operation of the hopper system
   • Operate and maintain hopper system and associated components
   • Measure, calculate and log in writing mud properties correctly
   • Recognise, record and report changes in returns of drilling fluid and pit volumes

Performance Evidence

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of prepare and operate drilling fluid systems including:

operating and maintaining all the mud treatment units

interpreting and acting on additional flow in the mud returns or an increase in mud pit volume

lubricating fluid circulation components

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the prepare and operate drilling fluid systems tasks that meets all the required outcomes including:

organising work activities to meet all task requirements

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

demonstrates completion of preparing and operating drilling fluid systems that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

maintaining and operating mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves in the mud pits system

safely adding mud materials to the mud systems as instructed

accurately taking mud properties readings and legibly recording them

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following in preparing and operating drilling fluid systems:

organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

work health and safety procedures and individual obligations

rig safety and emergency procedures

safe operating procedures when operating equipment

chemical handling procedures

company and statutory guidelines, procedures and practices

principles of the systems, equipment and their relationship to other plant

fluid types and composition

the layout of mud circulating, mixing and suction systems

assessment of geographic layout related to the type of fluid system in use the layout of shaker, degasser and settling pits, and sand traps

and complying with safety data sheets (SDS)

rig maintenance requirements

non-routine drilling operations

man management/rig management

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