This unit of competency applies to field operators who are responsible for a number of wells and their associated systems. In a typical scenario, the operator will be driving alone, on and off roads between wells and also to and from the base site or plant. While at a site, they will be monitoring well and equipment performance by taking readings, making checks, recording and reporting their findings in accordance with procedures. They will also be expected to identify hazards and take appropriate action.

This competency is typically performed by operators working independently while in communication with a field or plant operator with whom they would work as part of a team. At all times they would be liaising and cooperating with other members of the team.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for work

1.1. Identify work requirements

1.2. Identify and control hazards

1.3. Coordinate with appropriate personnel

1.4. Determine appropriate route/schedule for day's work

2. Complete site checks

2.1. Check equipment condition and operation

2.2. Check required levels

2.3. Top up levels as required

2.4. Complete logs and reports as required

3. Use well control systems as required

3.1. Check well control systems validity

3.2. Perform other required well control system tasks

3.3. Complete logs and reports as required

4. Take required readings

4.1. Complete all required readings for site

4.2. Compare all read values with the desired range

4.3. Compare read values with previous log sheet values

4.4. Complete logs and reports as required

5. Complete required lease maintenance

5.1. Inspect lease area for items requiring action

5.2. Complete required lease maintenance actions

5.3. Complete logs and reports as required

6. Finalise shift activities

6.1. Complete shift tasks as appropriate

6.2. Ensure identified faults are correctly logged/reported for action

6.3. Ensure incomplete tasks are scheduled for follow up

6.4. Ensure all logs and reports are complete and understood

Required skills

Required skills include:

recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification operation

implementing enterprise procedures within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the correct use of the equipment

conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively

maintaining appropriate levels of quality assurance

reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

coal seam gas (CSG) formation, structure and completions

coal type and structure

well design and construction

hydrate formation

free flow and pumped wells

pumping principles

gas flow principles

gas/water separation principles

draining and venting requirements

typical issues causing problems

lease requirements

process parameters and limits (e.g. temperature, pressure, flow and pH)

duty of care obligations

hierarchy of control

static electricity and earthing

chemical handling and material safety data sheets (MSDS)

communication protocols (e.g. radio, phone, computer, paper and permissions/authorities)

routine problems, faults and their symptoms

relevant alarms and actions

plant process idiosyncrasies

all items on a schematic of the plant item and the function/principles of operation of each

physics and chemistry relevant to each unit and the processes used

flange pressure and temperature ratings (basic)

cathodic protection (basic)

relevant environmental and heritage requirements

protective systems

control systems

remote terminal unit, functions, operation and problems

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

This unit of competency requires an application of the knowledge contained in the use of the equipment, to the level needed to maintain control and recognise and resolve problems.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment for this unit of competency will be on a plant.

It is essential that the equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

appropriate inspections are made

required readings are taken

early warning signs of equipment processes needing attention or with potential problems are recognised

necessary actions are completed.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations, which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios, role plays and 3D virtual reality interactive systems. In the case of evacuation training or training for competencies practised in life-threatening situations, simulation may be used for the bulk of the training.

A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They include:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

For the purposes of this Training Package, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations

All work will comply with procedures

Site

Site may be:

a well

a nominated area in the gathering system

another location where the operator is required to work

Equipment

Typical items of plant and equipment included in this unit of competency are:

wellheads

choke and control valves

meters

flow lines

high point vents

low point drains

valves including non-return and pressure/vacuum relief

pumps and their prime movers

product separation units

instrumentation and control systems (variable speed drive (VSD) and proportional integral derivative (PID))

testing equipment

power units

drive heads

flares

Equipment condition and operation

Equipment condition and operation may include:

chemical injection equipment

storage tanks

pumps and pump speed

autodumps

drains and drain points

vents and high points

leaks

other items

Levels

Levels may include:

chemical storage levels

lubricating oil levels

water and gas levels

battery levels

drain levels

other levels

Logs and reports

Logs and reports may be paper or electronic based and may also include verbal/radio reports

Reports include reporting items found which require action

Lease maintenance areas requiring action

Lease maintenance areas requiring action may include:

land erosion

fence and gate integrity

weeds and other growth

actions of feral or other fauna

other required items

Identified faults

Identified faults may include:

instrumentation failure/malfunction

electrical failure/malfunction

mechanical failure/malfunction

control system failure/malfunction

mismatch between flow rates and system requirements

wear, tear and corrosion of plant and equipment

Typical problems

Typical problems may include:

leakage

solids (formation fines)

vibration

loss of control of pressure and/or flow

hydrate formation and blockages

liquid slugging

corrosion

erosion

sulphate reducing bacteria

scale formation

equipment failure

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state, territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence

Unit sector

Operational/technical

This unit contains employability skills.