Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 2:16 AM AWST
23/07/2026 2:16 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct and maintain derrick operations
Conduct and maintain derrick operations
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIOGD301A
RIIOGD301A
State Code
WB207
WB207
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/02/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
10/02/2010
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the conduct and maintenance of derrick operations in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for derrick operations, handling tubulars and equipment, inspecting and performing routine maintenance of derrick and connected equipment, preparing for and drilling surface holes, participating in head-up and pressure tests, drilling main holes, preparing to commence drilling operations, assisting in running and cementing casings, assisting driller on drill floor, and shutting down rig and rig out. 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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for derrick operations
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
- 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task
- 1.3. Clarify difficulties in carrying out the instructions with the relevant personnel
- 1.4. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards
- 1.5. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities and ensure briefings/handover details are read/passed on
- 1.6. Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work
- 1.7. Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities in accordance with operational requirements
- 1.8. Confirm availability of required quantities and type of consumables against operational requirements
- 1.9. Identify errors, omissions and shortages and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
- 1.10. Inform driller of current operating conditions
2. Handle tubulars and equipment
- 2.1. Position tubulars and equipment according to operational requirements
- 2.2. Assist in making and breaking connections where appropriate
- 2.3. Identify faults and defects accurately and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
- 2.4. Handle equipment using safe lifting and handling techniques
3. Inspect and perform routine maintenance of derrick and connected equipment
- 3.1. Inspect safety lines, ropes, air hoists, monkey board, sheaves, crown block, derrick bolts, pins and welds, and all other lines and equipment in or attached to the derrick
- 3.2. Lubricate air hoists, sheaves, crown block fast line guide
- 3.3. Replace defective parts and effect minor repairs
- 3.4. Perform jobs or tasks such as hanging back of travelling block, replacement of sheaves, as required
- 3.5. Complete pre-raise and pre-circulation checks in accordance with statutory and company procedures
4. Prepare for and drill surface hole
- 4.1. Establish circulation
- 4.2. Perform pre-spud safety checks
- 4.3. Check all connections and valves to floor are in proper position
- 4.4. Maintain drilling fluid volume and properties
- 4.5. Inform driller of current operating conditions
- 4.6. Maintain inventory of circulation system/parts
- 4.7. Check and record mud additives
- 4.8. Check availability of derrick casing equipment
- 4.9. Follow all operators' instructions
5. Participate in head-up and pressure test
- 5.1. preparations for necessary equipment changes
- 5.2. Prepare drilling fluid
- 5.3. Assist in nippling-up
- 5.4. Assist driller in BOP testing
6. Drill main hole
- 6.1. Consult driller and mud engineer's program, if available, and follow instructions
- 6.2. Maintain housekeeping and safe practices during drilling
- 6.3. Assist in completion or abandonment of well as required
- 6.4. Convert between metric and imperial
- 6.5. Record reading of depth, direction and azimuth accurately and legibly
7. Prepare to commence drilling operations
- 7.1. Align equipment on active systems for drilling
- 7.2. Turn on and check all appropriate machinery
- 7.3. Watch for returns if riser installed
- 7.4. Measure and log pit levels regularly
8. Assist in running and cementing of casing.
- 8.1. Follow instructions when running casing
- 8.2. Align valves and fluid system for casing fill-up line
- 8.3. Rig up, function test, lubricate and operate casing stabbing board
- 8.4. Attach and secure safety lines to all circulating lines
- 8.5. Circulate fluid in accordance with instructions
- 8.6. Mix chemicals for cementers and align pumps to cementing unit
- 8.7. Weigh cement as it is being mixed
- 8.8. Align fluid system for displacement of cement
- 8.9. Monitor returns and pits to assess circulation and returns
9. Assist Driller on drill floor
- 9.1. Assist in handling and nippling-up of BOP stack
- 9.2. Carry out role of assistant to driller when on drill floor in accordance with site instructions
10. Shutdown rig and rig out
- 10.1. Wash and drain circulation system
- 10.2. Repair equipment in accordance with company and manufacturer's instructions
- 10.3. Store equipment safely and in accordance with company procedures
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.
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
safe working practices
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Petroleum Submerged Lands Act (PSLA)
petroleum regulations
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
nature and scope of tasks
specifications
quality of finished works
achieved targets
operational conditions
obtaining of required permits
site layout
out of bounds areas
worksite inspection requirements
lighting conditions
plant of equipment defects
coordination requirements or issues
contamination control requirements
environmental control requirements
barricade and signage requirements
job instructions
technical information
mud engineer's program
manufacturer's instructions
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
training materials
consideration of substances
continuous communication
reacting to on-site emergencies
Difficulties may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
weather conditions including:
day/night
storms and lightning
hot/cold
wet/dry
Coordination requirements may include:
pre-tour safety meetings
work inspection
task specific - job safety analysis (JSA)
tour reports updated
permit prepared where applicable
safety equipment (e.g. harness, lanyards) inspected and used as appropriate
safety briefing/induction
weekly safety meetings
agreed procedures may include:
company
facility
client
toolbox
permit to work
Utilities may include:
air
fuel
power
cranage
lighting
Remedial action may include:
reporting
recording
replacing
repairing
adjusting
Tubulars may include
drill pipe
drill collars
casing
tubing
Equipment may include:
winches
ropes
racking board
safety belt
consumables
derrick climber/fall arrester, geronimo line and rider
backing system - manual/automated
casing stabbing system - board/basket
safety appliances and personal protective equipment
derrick escape system
Inspect may include:
safety lines
ropes
air hoists
monkey board
sheaves
crown block
derrick bolts
pins and welds
all other lines and equipment in or attached to the derrick
Lubricate may include:
air hoists, sheaves
crown block
fast line guide
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
safe working practices
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Petroleum Submerged Lands Act (PSLA)
petroleum regulations
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
nature and scope of tasks
specifications
quality of finished works
achieved targets
operational conditions
obtaining of required permits
site layout
out of bounds areas
worksite inspection requirements
lighting conditions
plant of equipment defects
coordination requirements or issues
contamination control requirements
environmental control requirements
barricade and signage requirements
job instructions
technical information
mud engineer's program
manufacturer's instructions
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
training materials
consideration of substances
continuous communication
reacting to on-site emergencies
Difficulties may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
weather conditions including:
day/night
storms and lightning
hot/cold
wet/dry
Coordination requirements may include:
pre-tour safety meetings
work inspection
task specific - job safety analysis (JSA)
tour reports updated
permit prepared where applicable
safety equipment (e.g. harness, lanyards) inspected and used as appropriate
safety briefing/induction
weekly safety meetings
agreed procedures may include:
company
facility
client
toolbox
permit to work
Utilities may include:
air
fuel
power
cranage
lighting
Remedial action may include:
reporting
recording
replacing
repairing
adjusting
Tubulars may include
drill pipe
drill collars
casing
tubing
Equipment may include:
winches
ropes
racking board
safety belt
consumables
derrick climber/fall arrester, geronimo line and rider
backing system - manual/automated
casing stabbing system - board/basket
safety appliances and personal protective equipment
derrick escape system
Inspect may include:
safety lines
ropes
air hoists
monkey board
sheaves
crown block
derrick bolts
pins and welds
all other lines and equipment in or attached to the derrick
Lubricate may include:
air hoists, sheaves
crown block
fast line guide
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 conducting and maintaining derrick operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of derrick operations and maintenance
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct and maintenance of derrick operations that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of derrick operations and maintenance 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.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
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.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct and maintenance of derrick operations
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
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 conducting and maintaining derrick operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of derrick operations and maintenance
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct and maintenance of derrick operations that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of derrick operations and maintenance 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.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
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.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct and maintenance of derrick operations
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH514 | RIIOGD301D | Conduct and maintain derrick operations | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W683 | RII31909 | Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore) | Qualification |
| W684 | RII32009 | Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore) | Qualification |