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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for operations
   • Access, interpret and apply Operate drilling fluids and mud pits documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify, address and report potential hazards, risks and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities
   • Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to, during and on completion of work activities and ensure briefings/handover details are communicated
   • Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work
   • Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities
2. Operate mud pits
   • Align valves in pits to ensure correct pit usage
   • Confirm plugs are fit for operation
   • Seal or secure tanks
   • Set high and low alarms
   • Operate mud pit room ventilation system
   • Operate hoppers
   • Operate dust extraction system during mixing
   • Supervise forklifts operations
   • Store chemicals in appropriate storage area
3. Operate, maintain and repair mud conditioning equipment
   • Engage and/or adjust appropriate equipment as directed by supervisors or mud engineer
4. Clean all equipment and visually inspect for leaks and correct operation
   • . Identify faults or potential faults, record and report to relevant personnel
5. Perform periodic or scheduled preventative maintenance on all mud treatment units
6. Monitor mud
   • Monitor and record mud properties and parameters
   • Set alarms to monitor mud
7. Check viscosity and weight of mud conform to specifications as directed by mud engineer
   • Maintain appropriate volumes and types of drilling fluids as required by well program or company
   • Use appropriate mixing procedures to obtain desired properties
   • Recognise warning signs of a kick, record and report immediately
8. Plan and prepare for operations
   • Access, interpret and apply Operate drilling fluids and mud pits documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify, address and report potential hazards, risks and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities
   • Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to, during and on completion of work activities and ensure briefings/handover details are communicated
   • Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work
   • Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities
9. Operate mud pits
   • Align valves in pits to ensure correct pit usage
   • Confirm plugs are fit for operation
   • Seal or secure tanks
   • Set high and low alarms
   • Operate mud pit room ventilation system
   • Operate hoppers
   • Operate dust extraction system during mixing
   • Supervise forklifts operations
   • Store chemicals in appropriate storage area
10. Operate, maintain and repair mud conditioning equipment
    • Engage and/or adjust appropriate equipment as directed by supervisors or mud engineer
    • Clean all equipment and visually inspect for leaks and correct operation
    • Identify faults or potential faults, record and report to relevant personnel
    • Perform periodic or scheduled preventative maintenance on all mud treatment units
11. Monitor mud
    • Monitor and record mud properties and parameters
    • Set alarms to monitor mud
    • Check viscosity and weight of mud conform to specifications as directed by mud engineer
    • Maintain appropriate volumes and types of drilling fluids as required by well program or company
    • Use appropriate mixing procedures to obtain desired properties
    • Recognise warning signs of a kick, record and report immediately

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 applicable documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the operation of drilling fluids and mud pits including:

identifying, addressing and reporting potential hazards and risks

controlling identified hazards

carrying out emergency response

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues

preparing written records and reports

rectifying and/or reporting faults and malfunctions

works effectively with others to undertake the operation of drilling fluids and mud pits that meets all of the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

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

communicating clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities

demonstrates completion of the operation of drilling fluids and mud pits that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

recognising and reporting equipment malfunction or failure

aligning valves in pits for operability and safety

operating and servicing mud treatment equipment

performing periodic or scheduled preventative maintenance on mud condition equipment

operating and servicing transfer valve

weighing mud and perform viscosity checks

maintaining volumes and types of drilling fluids as required

regularly monitoring pit levels, mud properties and cuttings size

performing numerical calculations including:

mud viscosity

mud weight

volume

uphole velocity

quantities

pressure

water loss

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following in applying the operate drilling fluids and mud pits through:

accessing, interpreting and applying legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

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 manufacturer’s data sheet

safe operating procedures when operating equipment

understanding functions of the mud pits

using warning signs of kicks

applying troubleshooting techniques

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