Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to operate drilling fluids and mud pits

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures

recognise and report equipment malfunction or failure

supervise and train subordinates to provided standards

work as directed by driller and assistant driller

operate equipment in accordance with good oilfield practice and company policy

align valves in pits for operability and safety

operate and service mud treatment equipment

perform periodic or scheduled preventative maintenance on mud condition equipment

replace screens and cones on shakers and desiltersdesanders

operate and service transfer valve

weigh mud and perform viscosity checks

maintain volumes and types of drilling fluids as required

use correct mixing procedures to ensure required properties in drilling fluid

use correct safety procedures and equipment for mixing and handling chemicals in accordance with manufacturers data sheet

regularly monitor pit levels mud properties and cuttings size

perform numerical calculations including

mud viscosity

mud weight

volume

uphole velocity

quantities

pressure

water loss

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used This includes knowledge of the following as required to operate drilling fluids and mud pits

legislative and organisations safety guidelines procedures and practices drilling operation procedures

safe operating procedures when operating equipment

functions of the mud pits

warning signs of kicks

troubleshooting techniques

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 operating of drilling fluids and mud pits

implementation of requirements procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient completion of the operation of drilling fluids and mud pits

working with others to undertake the operation of drilling fluids and mud pits that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely operating of drilling fluids and mud pits that safely effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

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

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

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances

Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

Method of assessment

This unit maybe assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency The assessment strategy for the assessment of this unit must include more than one of the following assessment methods

written andor oral assessment of the candidates required knowledge

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

implementation of appropriate requirement procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

working with others to undertake and complete the operating of drilling fluids and mud pits

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC Implementation Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues

may include:

Work instructions may be from briefings or handover details that may include:

Work instructions may include:

Hazards may include:

Coordination requirements may include:

Alarm systems may include:

Equipment may include:

Recording requirements can include:

Recognised warning signs of a kick are: