Visitors to this week’s SPE Offshore Europe can try out a suite of simulators, including the DRILLSIM:5000 Decom Simulator.
The DRILLSIM:5000, and the associated software which it runs, is a world-first. It supports decommissioning activities in the UK from its home at Robert Green University in Aberdeen, Scotland.
A collaboration between RGU, OGTC, KCA Deutag and Drilling Systems, the simulator focuses on well-plugging and abandonment (P&A).
Delegates to the Scottish show will be able to test their skills on the simulator, which is currently supporting oil and gas operators and service companies with the planning and preparation for well P&A, in a similar way pilots get trained and tested on flight simulators.
RGU’s Drilling Simulation Manager Phil Hassard will man the kit at SPE. He said it was a unique opportunity to experience an “extremely sophisticated piece of kit.”.
“Since we launched the simulator at the end of 2017, we have been able to support the industry by enhancing the safety, improving the efficiency and reducing the cost associated with decommissioning oil and gas wells.”
As well as the DRILLSIM:5000, there will be the opportunity to try out two other simulators. On-The-Rig (OTR) is a portable simulator which brings drilling and equipment operations, well control and crane training to the rig. The MultiSIM is a portable simulator which offers real-time well intervention operator training in one advanced system.
SPE Offshore Europe is a biennial oil and gas exhibition and conference. The 23rd edition takes place in Aberdeen, closing on Sept.6.