Simulation System Provides Unique Training Method for the Oilfield

Abstract

Summary Today's oilfield service environment has undergone significant change from that which existed 10 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 1980's. While these new alliances may prove to be the catalysts 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. Therefore, to meet the demands of the integrated solutions concept, "the partners" must be able to assess all project needs properly so that the solution provided accomplishes the economic and operational goals for all involved. 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 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. In this paper, we will discuss 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. We will present the concepts of the equipment simulator and capabilities of the global simulator methodology, and we will use an actual case history 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. With this information, we 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.