Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:13 PM AWST
22/07/2026 10:13 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 and complete single aquifer production bores
Construct and complete single aquifer production bores
Unit of competency
National Code
RIINHB325A
RIINHB325A
State Code
D9376
D9376
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 single aquifer production bores in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for single aquifer production bores, designing production bores for single aquifer systems, constructing production bores in single aquifer systems, developing bores, disinfecting/decontaminating bore and drilling equipment, carrying out bore 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 single aquifer production bores
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
- 1.2. Discuss scope of work with client and give technical advice, cost structure, workmanship warranty, quantity and quality of materials, construction standards and methods to be used and gain general agreement on drilling plan
- 1.3. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task
- 1.4. Obtain or sight any licences or permits required under the relevant state/territory legislation or regulation
- 1.5. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards
- 1.6. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
- 1.7. Communicate regular up to date information on progress, and/or problems encountered to client and/or other relevant parties
- 1.8. Provide detailed strata logs, pump and development test results conducted during bore development and water and strata samples to the appropriate authorities
- 1.9. Complete all requirements for bore completion reports, decommissioning or abandonment and send to regulatory authorities within the time specified on bore licence
2. Design production bores for single aquifer systems
- 2.1. Determine most appropriate construction methods from the reading and interpretation of all available documented information
- 2.2. Design the bore to ensure the exclusion of unsuitable surface waters
- 2.3. Select a bore site that will prevent contamination and minimise interference with other bores and adhere to occupational health and safety requirements
- 2.4. Determine a drilling fluid program to suit the expected down hole conditions
- 2.5. Select likely water entry mechanisms from the formation to the bore such as open hole, slotted casing, screens or gravel packs
- 2.6. Calculate appropriate artificial gravel pack design parameters and recommended annular thickness requirements
- 2.7. Plot and interpret formation sieve analysis results onto graphs
- 2.8. Undertake calculations to determine appropriate screen/slot design parameters (i.e. diameter, length, aperture size)
- 2.9. Select appropriate bore/surface casing type, size, strength and wall thickness for the anticipated ground water quality and pressure conditions and any construction requirements
- 2.10. Ensure all necessary materials anticipated for the job are available and on site prior to commencement of construction phase
3. Construct production bores in single aquifer systems
- 3.1. Use approved procedures to select, slot, assemble, and insert casing and screens suitable for the formations in which they are deployed
- 3.2. Use equipment for assembly and slotting safely and in accordance with approved procedures
- 3.3. Select, mix and place grout or otherwise seal surface casing to whatever depths necessary and with a minimum grout sheath thickness of 20mm to protect bore from surface or shallow subsurface waters that may be contaminated or polluted
- 3.4. Construct bore in accordance with any applicable regulations, minimum construction requirements and organisational procedures
- 3.5. Use and maintain drilling fluids and additives within the manufacturer's recommendations and that are non-toxic and capable of being completely removed from the bore upon completion
- 3.6. Maintain, test and record fluid properties such as viscosity, mid weight, filtration and sand content so that the potential capacity, efficiency and quality of the bore is not affected
- 3.7. Maintain plumbness and alignment of the hole within the required limitations and perform plumbness tests if required
- 3.8. Collect, store, record, label and transport formation and water samples for mechanical and/or chemical analysis in accordance with licensing or regulatory requirements
- 3.9. Maintain all records accurately and legibly
- 3.10. Accurately calculate hole, annular fill, gravel pack and mud pit volumes in cubic metres or litres
- 3.11. Select appropriate gravel pack or stabilising gravel fill materials
- 3.12. Place artificial or stabilising gravel fill if required in a manner that will ensure uniform distribution in the annular space without bridging, voids or segregation
- 3.13. Comply with relevant workplace occupational health and safety requirements for both the drilling equipment and construction materials
- 3.14. Maintain tool string inventories
- 3.15. Identify and protect headworks of the bore
- 3.16. Construct headworks to seal and cap the bore from surface water pollutants, environmental concerns (e.g. flooding), damage and vandalism
- 3.17. Incorporate methods for measuring static and pumping water levels in headworks and for adequate sealing when not in use
- 3.18. Remove drilled fluids from the bore to allow subsequent development
- 3.19. Dispose of/neutralise wastewater or hazardous materials from site and complete restoration of the bore site and camp facilities
- 3.20. Maintain tool strings and inventories
4. Develop bore
- 4.1. Use bore development techniques with care to prevent collapsing of casing or screens
- 4.2. Use development techniques to improve hydraulic transmissivity around the bore
- 4.3. Undertake development until a continuous, clean supply of water is obtained, in accordance with acceptable and practical limits set by site, contractual or regulatory requirements
- 4.4. Measure/calculate and record standing and drawdown water levels
- 4.5. Perform pump and development tests to estimate the sand content and sustainable yield of the bore
5. Disinfect/decontaminate bore and drilling equipment
- 5.1. Clean and disinfect/decontaminate drilling equipment and tools before working on new sites to comply with relevant standards or regulatory requirements
- 5.2. Disinfect bores and installed equipment constructed for potable supplies using chlorine or proprietary chemical solution or steam cleaning as appropriate
- 5.3. Handle hazardous chemicals in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations/instructions and apply appropriate engineering controls and/or personal protective equipment
- 5.4. Remove and dispose of/neutralise any disinfecting agents from the bore upon completion
6. Carry out bore maintenance and rehabilitation
- 6.1. Undertake a process of diagnosis to determine likely cause of bore deterioration
- 6.2. Devise a program of rehabilitation to ensure that the bore is restored to a reasonable condition
- 6.3. Wear appropriate/recommended personal protective equipment and employ engineering controls when handling hazardous cleaning chemicals and follow manufacturer's recommendations suggested in materials safety data sheets (MSDS)
7. Decommission test/bore holes
- 7.1. Determine suitable decommissioning procedures and select appropriate materials
- 7.2. Carry out the decommissioning (abandonment) of test holes or bore holes in single aquifer systems
- 7.3. Verify position/location of hole for future reference
- 7.4. 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
Licenses or permits may include:
water well licence (Class 1)
licence for particular drilling method:
cable tool
auger
rotary air
rotary mud
bore construction permit
bore development/works approval
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
clients and/or landowners
Documented information may include:
results of test hole
hydrogeological data and reports
geological data
old bore hole logs
results from sieve analysis tests
geophysical logging results
geophysical logs
physical samples
results of mechanical testing of soils
water test analyses
interpretation of soft/hard zones
losses of drilling fluid
bore log and in hole test results/measurements
records of nearby bores
geological maps
Procedures for assembling and inserting casing may include:
solvent cement (PVC)
stainless steel screws (PVC)
welding (steel)
threaded (PVC, FRP, ABS)
locking strip or wire rope
Equipment may include:
hand tools
power driven (electric, hydraulic or air) hand tools
casing cutters, bevellers
welders
threaded pipe lifting sockets
solvents
Bore development techniques may include:
mechanical surging
bailing
chemical methods
jetting
air lift surging and/or pumping
over pumping
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
Licenses or permits may include:
water well licence (Class 1)
licence for particular drilling method:
cable tool
auger
rotary air
rotary mud
bore construction permit
bore development/works approval
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
clients and/or landowners
Documented information may include:
results of test hole
hydrogeological data and reports
geological data
old bore hole logs
results from sieve analysis tests
geophysical logging results
geophysical logs
physical samples
results of mechanical testing of soils
water test analyses
interpretation of soft/hard zones
losses of drilling fluid
bore log and in hole test results/measurements
records of nearby bores
geological maps
Procedures for assembling and inserting casing may include:
solvent cement (PVC)
stainless steel screws (PVC)
welding (steel)
threaded (PVC, FRP, ABS)
locking strip or wire rope
Equipment may include:
hand tools
power driven (electric, hydraulic or air) hand tools
casing cutters, bevellers
welders
threaded pipe lifting sockets
solvents
Bore development techniques may include:
mechanical surging
bailing
chemical methods
jetting
air lift surging and/or pumping
over pumping
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 constructing single aquifer production bores
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of single aquifer production bore construction
working with others to undertake and complete the construction of single aquifer production bores that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of single aquifer production bore construction 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 construction of single aquifer production bores
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 constructing single aquifer production bores
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of single aquifer production bore construction
working with others to undertake and complete the construction of single aquifer production bores that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of single aquifer production bore construction 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 construction of single aquifer production bores
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH492 | RIINHB325D | Construct and complete single aquifer production bores | Unit of competency |
