Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:37 PM AWST
23/07/2026 1:37 PM 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.
Oversee drilling operations
Oversee drilling operations
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIOGD503A
RIIOGD503A
State Code
WB686
WB686
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/01/2011
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
21/01/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers overseeing drilling operations in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing to oversee drilling operations, organising drilling of surface hole, supervising and participating in nippling up and pressure testing, organising rig up and rig up to spud, and completing and abandoning well. 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 overseeing drilling 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. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards
- 1.4. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
2. Organise drilling of surface hole
- 2.1. Obtain copies of contract and well program, check and implement strategies designed and communicate to all parties
- 2.2. Obtain and check correct equipment and tools are on hand for surface hole operations
- 2.3. Check integrity of equipment and prepare/inspect casing and joints for damage
- 2.4. Maintain records and liaise with service companies to rectify faults
- 2.5. Ensure that appropriate equipment and personnel are on hand for casing
3. Supervise and participate in nippling up and pressure testing
- 3.1. Organise equipment and nippling-up requirements for drilling out
- 3.2. Ensure pressure testing of all BOP equipment is carried out
- 3.3. Ensure rig up to drill out is carried out in accordance with procedure
- 3.4. Monitor drill out safety processes and test gauge leak off as required
4. Organise rig up and rig up to spud
- 4.1. Assign crews to specific jobs and implement performance measures to monitor operations
- 4.2. Put appropriate monitoring strategies and checks in place to ensure integrity of operations
- 4.3. Check all specific instructions with operator's representative for drilling hole
- 4.4. Conduct crew meetings on total rig safety requirements
- 4.5. Report/rectify damage as required
- 4.6. Ensure mud is mixed in accordance with procedures and properties defined in the drilling program
- 4.7. Carry out pre-spud safety inspections with circulation and spud-in established
- 4.8. Undertake surveys and report any deviations to operator's representative and record on appropriate documentation
- 4.9. Supervise running in and cementing of casing with operator's written instructions being followed
5. Complete and abandon well
- 5.1. Supervise completion and well abandonment with operator's representative
- 5.2. Make preparations to release rig and arrange shutdown preparation list
- 5.3. Arrange servicing, repair and/or return of equipment through appropriate channels
- 5.4. Abandon well in accordance with legislative, operator and company requirements
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
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)
duty of care
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
consideration of H2S and other toxic substances
reacting to on-site emergencies
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
safety briefing/induction
pre-tour safety meeting
weekly safety meetings
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
working in different conditions including:
night time operations
day time operations
hot climates
cold climates
wet weather conditions
high wind
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
continuous communication maintained
team operation
Records may include:
daily drilling report
equipment damage/failure report
material requisition form
plant movement advice
materials and services received (report)
gas bottle returns
third party hire and monthly stock lists
change over notes
employee time sheets
drilling rate sheet
meal and bed sheet
fire extinguisher checklist
monthly tubular summary
Communicate may include by:
2-way radio
hand signals
telephone
public address system
written work instructions
internet/intranet
May be between:
crew
service companies
operator's representative
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
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)
duty of care
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
consideration of H2S and other toxic substances
reacting to on-site emergencies
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
safety briefing/induction
pre-tour safety meeting
weekly safety meetings
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
working in different conditions including:
night time operations
day time operations
hot climates
cold climates
wet weather conditions
high wind
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
continuous communication maintained
team operation
Records may include:
daily drilling report
equipment damage/failure report
material requisition form
plant movement advice
materials and services received (report)
gas bottle returns
third party hire and monthly stock lists
change over notes
employee time sheets
drilling rate sheet
meal and bed sheet
fire extinguisher checklist
monthly tubular summary
Communicate may include by:
2-way radio
hand signals
telephone
public address system
written work instructions
internet/intranet
May be between:
crew
service companies
operator's representative
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 overseeing drilling operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of overseeing drilling operations
working with others to plan, prepare and oversee drilling operations
evidence of the consistent successful overseeing of drilling operations
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 oversee drilling operations
provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in overseeing drilling 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 overseeing drilling operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of overseeing drilling operations
working with others to plan, prepare and oversee drilling operations
evidence of the consistent successful overseeing of drilling operations
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 oversee drilling operations
provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in overseeing drilling 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH527 | RIIOGD503D | Oversee drilling operations | Unit of competency |