Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:23 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.

Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems

Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems

Unit of competency
National Code
RIIOGD203A
State Code
WB202
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
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
25
Description
This unit covers the preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for operations, establishing operational requirements, selecting and testing equipment, preparing drilling fluids, pumping drilling fluids, and operating the hopper system. 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 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. Conform to safe working practices and current legislative and operational requirements
  • 1.5. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
  • 1.6. Obtain personal protective equipment
  • 1.7. Assess geographic layout of the active, reserve and slug pits under work instruction
  • 1.8. Assess operation of mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves under work instruction
  • 1.9. Identify and locate mud pump and discharge system
2. Establish operational requirements
  • 2.1. Clarify difficulties in carrying out the instructions with the relevant personnel
  • 2.2. Confirm availability and status of necessary permits to work in accordance with operational and legislative requirements
  • 2.3. Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities in accordance with operational requirements
  • 2.4. Confirm availability of required quantities and type of consumables against operational requirements
  • 2.5. Identify errors, omissions and shortages and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
3. Select and test equipment
  • 3.1. Identify and select equipment appropriate for the work to be performed and conforming to operational requirements
  • 3.2. Confirm equipment is functional and fit for the purpose and the environment in which it will be used
  • 3.3. Identify defects in the equipment and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
4. Prepare drilling fluids
  • 4.1. Confirm availability of sufficient quantities and types of fluids against operational requirements
  • 4.2. Confirm tanks and mixing equipment are clean and free from contamination in accordance with instructions
  • 4.3. Mix and treat fluids in accordance with the specification
  • 4.4. Obtain, correctly label and store samples according to operational requirements
  • 4.5. Identify defects in the equipment and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
5. Pump drilling fluids
  • 5.1. Confirm recording and monitoring devices are preset to required parameters
  • 5.2. Operate equipment in accordance with operational requirements
  • 5.3. Identify faults and defects accurately and take appropriate remedial action within functional responsibility
  • 5.4. Assist with obtaining samples, weigh, measure viscosity and record details as per instructions
  • 5.5. Operate pipe in the derrick manually and under supervision
  • 5.6. Grease crown block and identify hanging sheaves
  • 5.7. Record data accurately at appropriate times and frequencies in accordance with operational requirements
6. Operate hopper system
  • 6.1. Recognise operation of the hopper system
  • 6.2. Operate and maintain hopper system and associated components in accordance with company and manufacturer's requirements
  • 6.3. Measure and log mud properties correctly
  • 6.4. Recognise, record and report changes in returns of drilling fluid and pit volumes
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, organisation and site requirements and procedures including:
protective clothing
safe use of hazardous chemicals
(PSLA) Petroleum Submerged Lands Act (where relevant)
duty of care
petroleum regulations
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
pre-tour meeting
safety meeting
use of hazardous chemicals
safety briefing/induction
weekly safety meetings
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
toolbox
permit to work
communication through a range of channels including:
2-way radio
hand signals
Telephone
public address system
written work instructions
geographic layout of the active, reserve and slug pits
operation of mud mixers, dump valves and equalising valves
mud pump and discharge system
reading and interpreting mud materials safety data sheets (MSDS)
layout of shaker pits, degasser pit, settling pit and sand trap
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
working in different conditions including:
wind
rain
snow
dust
hot and cold
calm to severe weather conditions
24 hour operation
Safe working practices may include:
use of personal protective equipment
consideration of toxic substances (e.g. H2S)
continuous communication maintained
reacting to on-site emergencies
dealing with contamination
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
Remedial action taken to deal with errors, omissions and shortages may include:
report
record
adjust
repair
isolate
Equipment may include:
pumps
lines
hoppers
manifolds
shale shakers
degaser
centrifugers
desanders/desilters
Fluids may include:
Fluid systems including:
mixing
transfer
bulk
circulating
Mix may include:
Fluid mix specifications including:
volume
density
viscosity
mud properties
Parameters may include:
flow rate
pressure
density

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 preparing and operating drilling fluid systems
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems
working with others to undertake and complete the preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems 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.
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 preparation and operation of drilling fluid systems
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WB227 RIIOGN301A Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH509 RIIOGD203D Prepare and operate drilling fluid systems Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W663 RII21009 Certificate II in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore) Qualification