Simulation System Provides Unique Training Method for the Oilfield

Abstract

Summary Today's oilfield service environment has undergone significant change from that which existed ten years ago. Integrated services and turnkey operations are becoming the norm for the industry, and oilfield service companies are finding themselves linked with operators and contractors in long-term service contracts that would never have been considered in the 80's. While these new alliances may prove to be the catalyst for energizing economic growth in the oilfield they bring with them their own set of operational problems. For example, the integrated solutions approach requires that all parties have a thorough understanding of overall economic and operational project parameters as well as a defined area for which each must take responsibility. Obviously, therefore, to meet the demands of the integrated solutions concept, "the partners" must be able to properly assess all project needs so that the solution provided accomplishes the economic and operational goals for all involved. This means that each must have a detailed technical understanding of a wide variety of equipment, systems and available resources. This is the area in which a major drawback to the integrated solutions concept often occurs - it has been difficult to provide a fast, efficient method to keep users abreast of the continuing enhancements to a technology that already appears to be state-of-the-art! Additionally, development of unique systems often results from the combined efforts of integrated teams, and in order to ensure that the systems will provide the expected results, it is equally as important to be able to provide training for the personnel that are responsible for the day-to-day use and maintenance of the new systems. A unique simulator that can resolve the training needs that have surfaced as a result of the rapidly changing operational concepts in the oilfield environment has been developed and will be discussed in this paper. The concepts of the equipment simulator and capabilities of the global simulator methodology will be presented, and an actual case history will be used to describe in detail how the equipment simulator was used offshore on a recent well test job in the Gulf Coast area to introduce a new well test tool and to train a new design engineer. The information shown will conclude that the use of the simulator will provide unparalleled training support for oilfield equipment and system applications and facilitate efficient development of integrated solutions for oilfield projects. Introduction The simulator provides a unique change to the training methods traditionally used to assess available technology or provide instruction on its usage. Operationally, the simulator uses a multimedia type environment that is capable of submerging the operator into the simulation to provide the oilfield end user with the ability to understand and properly operate sophisticated equipment. These simulations allow complex technical information, specific to a given tool or piece of equipment, to be conveyed to operators, service personnel, trainers, and oil company personnel. While these tool and equipment simulations are valuable in their own right, of even greater benefit is the merging capability of the "global simulator," which allows dynamic assembly of the individual tool simulations into a single system. The resulting simulation offers the advantage of allowing the system user to "practice" the effects and/or dangers that can result from operational changes and will facilitate the assessment of possible choices in developmental applications. How New Simulator Impacts Training Classical training methods using developed courses, prepared and presented in training centers, have been the mainstay of good oilfield training for many years. These centers typically feature fully equipped shops and labs that include cutaway models and actual equipment for use in training. In spite of the fact that the oil industry has made substantial investments in training, the needs that traditional training methods have not been able to address continue to plague the industry. Part of the reason for this dilemma has been the lack of a global operational training solution that could overcome the inherent language problems and the need to have economical portability in the training systems.