Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:59 PM AWST

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Conduct artificial lift

Conduct artificial lift

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS320
State Code
AXN06
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2016
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to control the artificial lift of fluids from operating wells either on land or off-shore using pumps, valves and compressors. Fluids may be oil, condensate, gas or water.This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to conduct tests and analyses of the product and the operating condition of the equipment, monitor production, identify and rectify operational problems, facilitate output changes and transfer product to storage.This unit includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the wellhead system. A unit comprises two or more components of plant/equipment that are operated together to produce product, including as appropriate to the facility:gas liftsdown hole pumps and other pumpsvalves and other production equipment flow/pressure test equipment.This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel, such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls. In the case of large complex plant, the operations technician would be part of a team during start-up and shutdown procedures. This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.This unit of competency does not require the operation of a central control panel. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for work
  • 1.1 Receive and give shift handover
  • 1.2 Identify work requirements
  • 1.3 Identify and control hazards
  • 1.4 Coordinate with appropriate personnel
  • 1.5 Check for recent work undertaken on artificial lift equipment
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of artificial lift equipment
2 Produce product
  • 2.1 Operate lifting process in accordance with local lease and lease equipment requirements and constraints
  • 2.2 Operate pumps, valves and other production equipment to transfer product/fluid from well to surface
  • 2.3 Test production equipment to ensure correct operating efficiencies are maintained
  • 2.4 Monitor operating parameters such as temperature and pressure of valves, pumps and other production equipment
  • 2.5 Diagnose operational faults during the production phase
  • 2.6 Take action required by procedures
3 Monitor product/volume efficiencies
  • 3.1 Monitor lift equipment and its component plant items frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses
  • 3.2 Monitor fluid produced by testing and analysing product flow temperatures, pressures and fluid volumes
  • 3.3 Evaluate the production efficiencies of the well
  • 3.4 Describe impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
  • 3.5 Recognise actual and developing situations which may require action
  • 3.6 Apply operational knowledge to resolve problems
  • 3.7 Take other actions on abnormal situations which cannot be resolved during the shift to ensure safety and the resolution of the situation
  • 3.8 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
4 Transfer product to storage
  • 4.1 Maintain records and reports showing a history of the production capacities of the well and a record of any deviations which have occurred
  • 4.2 Communicate transfer of the product to all appropriate support groups and work groups downstream of the well
  • 4.3 Select an appropriate medium for safe transfer of the product to the next phase in the product process
  • 4.4 Observe and act upon all environmental conditions and legislative requirements to ensure the protection of the working environment is maintained during product transfer
  • 4.5 Monitor transfer and take action required by procedures
5 Isolate and de-isolate plant
  • 5.1 Complete any required pre-start checks
  • 5.2 Start up/shut down lifting equipment according to the equipment type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 5.3 Start up/shut down/changeover component plant items within unit according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 5.4 Isolate artificial lift equipment and/or any component plant item
  • 5.5 Make safe for required work
  • 5.6 Check lift equipment/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • 5.7 De-isolate and prepare lift equipment/plant item for return to service
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8875 PMAOPS320B Conduct artificial lift Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCL01 PMAOPS318 Conduct artificial lift Unit of competency