Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:55 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:55 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.
Construct geothermal wells
Construct geothermal wells
Unit of competency
National Code
RIINHB412B
RIINHB412B
State Code
D9377
D9377
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/10/2011
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
06/10/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the construction of geothermal wells in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for construction of geothermal wells, designing geothermal wells, constructing geothermal wells, developing the bore, carrying out well maintenance and rehabilitation, and decommissioning test/bore holes. 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 the construction of geothermal wells
- 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
- 1.5. Discuss scope of work with client to gain general agreement on drilling plan
- 1.6. Communicate regular up to date information on progress, and/or problems encountered to client and/or other relevant parties
- 1.7. Provide details of the completed well to the appropriate authorities as required by the relevant state/territory legislation
2. Design geothermal wells
- 2.1. Determine most appropriate construction methods from the reading and interpretation of all available documented information and local geographic/geological knowledge
- 2.2. Determine a drilling fluid program to suit the expected down-hole conditions and anticipated pressures/temperatures
- 2.3. Select appropriate bore/surface casing for the anticipated ground conditions and construction techniques
- 2.4. Ensure all necessary materials anticipated for the job are available and on site prior to commencement of construction phase
3. Construct geothermal wells
- 3.1. Use approved procedures to assemble and insert casing
- 3.2. Use equipment for assembly safely and in accordance with approved procedures
- 3.3. Grout or otherwise seal surface casing
- 3.4. Conduct grouting operations to seal intermediate and/or production casing strings or to seal selected zones
- 3.5. Construct well in accordance with any applicable regulations, minimum construction requirements and the organisation's internal procedures
- 3.6. Maintain plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations
- 3.7. Recognise symptoms of a formation kick and take action to control the well
- 3.8. Maintain adequate supplies of water on site to quench the well if required
- 3.9. Collect, record and label formation samples
- 3.10. Maintain records accurately and legibly
- 3.11. Accurately calculate hole, annular, grout and mud pit volumes in cubic metres or litres
- 3.12. Comply with relevant workplace occupational health and safety requirements for both the drilling equipment and construction materials
- 3.13. Maintain tool string inventories
4. Develop bore
- 4.1. Use development techniques with care to prevent collapsing of casing or blow outs
5. Carry out well maintenance and rehabilitation
- 5.1. Undertake a process of diagnosis to determine likely cause of well deterioration
- 5.2. Devise a program of rehabilitation to ensure that the well is restored to a reasonable condition
6. Decommission test/bore holes
- 6.1. Determine suitable decommissioning procedures and select appropriate materials
- 6.2. Carry out the decommissioning (abandonment) of test holes or wells in geothermal systems
- 6.3. Verify position/location of hole for future reference
- 6.4. Dispose of drill and other fluids safely
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
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
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
Coordination requirements may include:
discussion of scope of work with client and other relevant parties to gain general agreement on drilling plan, and regular communication about progress, and/or problems encountered
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
Documented information may include:
results of test hole
geothermal data and reports
geological data
old bore hole logs
Local geographic/geological knowledge may include:
interpretation of soft/hard zones
losses of drilling fluid
Procedures to assemble and insert casing may include:
welding (steel)
Equipment for assembly may include:
hand tools
power driven (electric, hydraulic or air) hand tools
welder
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
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
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
Coordination requirements may include:
discussion of scope of work with client and other relevant parties to gain general agreement on drilling plan, and regular communication about progress, and/or problems encountered
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
Documented information may include:
results of test hole
geothermal data and reports
geological data
old bore hole logs
Local geographic/geological knowledge may include:
interpretation of soft/hard zones
losses of drilling fluid
Procedures to assemble and insert casing may include:
welding (steel)
Equipment for assembly may include:
hand tools
power driven (electric, hydraulic or air) hand tools
welder
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 the construction of geothermal wells
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the construction of geothermal wells
working with others to plan, prepare and conduct the construction of geothermal wells
evidence of the consistent successful construction of geothermal wells
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 construction of geothermal wells
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 the construction of geothermal wells
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the construction of geothermal wells
working with others to plan, prepare and conduct the construction of geothermal wells
evidence of the consistent successful construction of geothermal wells
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 construction of geothermal wells
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2183 | DRTNHB45A | Construct geothermal wells | Unit of competency |
| WB683 | RIINHB412A | Supervise the construction of geothermal wells | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH504 | RIINHB412D | Construct geothermal wells | Unit of competency |