This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to apply conduct drilling operations in Drilling.

This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory roles where risk needs to be managed.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

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 documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drilling operations 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 and complete drilling operations including:

preparing for and organising work activities to meet all task requirements

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

using a range of communication techniques and aids to advise others of work activity and exclusion zones

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

undertaking surface and main hole drilling

carrying out cementing procedures

maintaining drill hole

preparing the hole for abandonment

troubleshooting and problem solving, including rise in rotary torque and mud pressure

performing calculations including:

quantities up-hole calculations

velocity specific calculations

gravity volumes calculations

capacities pressure calculations

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in applying effective drilling operations through:

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

setting up work activity

site isolation, signage and erecting barriers

work health and safety

selecting and checking for faults, all plant, tools and equipment to carry out tasks

carrying out work to specifications

maintaining tubular tallies

applying effective techniques for drilling operations

standard working practices and procedures for drilling operations

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

*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 frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.

Drilling