SECTION 130.485. Oil and Gas Production I (One Credit)

(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 9-12. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.

(b) Introduction.

(1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.

(2) The Energy Career Cluster focuses on Texas's diverse economic landscape, geography and natural resources, including renewable energy potential, transportation system, labor force, and leadership in environmental research.

(3) In Oil and Gas Production I, students will identify specific career opportunities and skills, abilities, tools, certification, and safety measures associated with each career. Students will also understand components, systems, equipment, and production and safety regulations associated with oil and gas wells. To prepare for careers in oil and gas production, students must attain academic skills and knowledge, acquire technical knowledge and skills related to oil and gas production and the workplace, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills and technologies in a variety of settings.

(4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.

(5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

(c) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:

(A) identify career development, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the oil and gas production field;

(B) apply competencies related to resources, information, interpersonal skills, problem solving, critical thinking, and systems of operation;

(C) demonstrate knowledge of personal and occupational safety, environmental regulations, and first-aid policy in the workplace;

(D) analyze employers' expectations such as appropriate work habits, ethical conduct, legal responsibilities, and good citizenship skills; and

(E) demonstrate leadership skills to accomplish organizational goals and objectives.

(2) The student understands the history of and process for drilling a well. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the history of drilling for petroleum in the United States and abroad;

(B) describe and appraise routine drilling operations, offshore drilling, and new drilling technologies;

(C) describe the tools and techniques for directional drilling;

(D) examine the differences between fishing, retrieving, and repairing pipe;

(E) describe the methods for completing a well in order for production to begin;

(F) assess fluid pressure;

(G) determine how the flow is initiated in a new well;

(H) differentiate between major components of a well and discuss the purpose, design, and operation of each component;

(I) describe activities associated with completing a well;

(J) describe the well completion processes and equipment;

(K) summarize the instruments and techniques used when logging and testing during the drilling and completion of a well;

(L) list the factors that are analyzed when studying a poorly producing well; and

(M) identify the responsibilities, characteristics, abilities, and work behaviors of personnel that are involved in well service.

(3) The student discusses and identifies components, systems, equipment, production, and safety regulations associated with oil and gas wells. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the major systems and equipment used in the production of oil and gas;

(B) identify and describe the wellhead equipment that controls fluid flow;

(C) trace the process flow through the oil and gas production systems and equipment;

(D) discuss the purpose of the wellhead and identify the major components;

(E) describe the purpose, design, and operation of each wellhead component;

(F) compare and contrast the major differences in wellhead construction;

(G) compare and contrast onshore and offshore facilities;

(H) compare and contrast oil and gas regions within the United States;

(I) describe the safety, health, and environmental concerns associated with working around a wellhead;

(J) explain how the wellhead system affects other production systems tied to the wellhead;

(K) describe the activities associated with monitoring and regulating well flow;

(L) describe the wellhead maintenance activities performed by the production technician;

(M) operate and troubleshoot a wellhead using a computer simulator, pilot plant, or tabletop unit; and

(N) identify the operating conditions that would warrant a manual or automatic shut-in of a well and steps involved in a manual shut-in of a well.

(4) The student discusses safety issues related to the oil and gas industry. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the safety, health, and environmental concerns associated with drilling, production, and maintenance; and

(B) research safety standards in the petroleum industry such as the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), United States Coast Guard (USCG), American Petroleum Institute (API), Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and others.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.485 adopted to be effective August 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 4190