The oil and gas sector operates in some of the most hazardous environments with a fatality rate of seven times higher than other industries. The challenges facing the oil and gas industry include managing these highs risks through a highly skilled workforce who are prepared to handle complex processes like operating rigs and refineries safely and efficiently. Traditional training methods often fall short in adequately preparing workers for the real-world challenges they might encounter on the job.
Oil & Gas Virtual Reality (VR) based training helps to resolve the challenges facing the industry by allowing workers to engage in realistic, hands-on safety interactive simulations in a controlled virtual environment, reducing on-site risks by up to 45% – transforming workplace training. This article looks at some of the challenges facing the oil and gas industry and explores ways how VR helps solve them.
Upstream and Downstream Challenges in Oil & Gas:
Maintenance, Inspection and Downtime
Upstream and downstream oil and gas operations are often complex and require regular maintenance and inspections. Common challenges in upstream oil and gas include – managing thousands of wells and associated equipment; racking multiple systems in the field; tracking and reporting across multiple work sites; and keeping up with regulatory requirements. Challenges in downstream oil and gas include – inventory management and operational struggles like difficulties with project management, project scope, and digitalisation. It is key to train workers on the day to day operations to ensure these challenges are mitigated.
Unplanned downtime for training purposes or due to human error can result in significant financial losses, with costs reaching up to $50 billion per year across industrial sectors. VR simulations enable employees to virtually inspect and maintain equipment, reducing downtime and optimising resource allocation. This also helps in training for complex maintenance tasks without the risk of damaging equipment or endangering personnel.
Sustainability Challenges in Oil and Gas:
Reducing Environmental Impact
The oil and gas industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and transition to more sustainable practices. This includes minimising carbon emissions, reducing waste, and preventing environmental disasters. These are pressing sustainability challenges in the gas and oil industry. VR contributes to sustainability efforts by minimising the need for physical travel and on-site presence for training purposes, lowering carbon emissions. Furthermore, training in a virtual landscape can substantially reduce carbon emissions by demonstrating the correct method to follow procedures and showcase the negative impact of incorrectly following them, allowing workers to perfect their tasks without any real world consequences.
The BP Oil Spill in 2010 – the largest marine oil spill in history – caused significant environmental damage and demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of inadequate safety measures and emergency response. VR technology now allows companies to simulate complex drilling operations and potential disaster scenarios, enhancing preparedness and potentially preventing similar incidents.
Technology Challenges in Oil and Gas:
Complex Equipment and Remote Operations
Digitalisation has proliferated across the oil and gas industry. Digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT (Internet of Things), big data and connectivity networks have hugely impacted conventional oil and gas operations. While technological adoption has its many benefits, it has changed operations in the sector – requiring continuous training and upskilling for employees to be well-versed in the application.
Additionally, the oil and gas sector relies on complex machinery and intricate processes, often in remote or difficult to access locations. Mastering these systems requires extensive training, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and logistically challenging.
VR provides simulated environments where employees can interact with 3D models of equipment and practice complex procedures, familiarising themselves with the technology in a risk-free setting. Remote, harsh, and hazardous environments can be recreated in VR, allowing workers to physically and practically prepare for any situation while remaining in a safe environment.
Health & Safety Challenges:
High-Risk Environments & Human Factors
The oil and gas industry has a high fatality rate, significantly higher than many other industries. Catastrophic dangers like spillages, fires, and explosions may occur due to human error. The 1988 Piper Alpha disaster where the oil platform exploded and sank in the North Sea causing several casualties highlighted the critical need for improved safety measures. VR training allows workers to practice emergency procedures in realistic, high-pressure scenarios, potentially preventing similar tragedies.
Bespoke virtual training allows employees to familiarise themselves with specific high-risk situations relating to their job role and then take that training into the real world. Continuous safety training in VR reinforces safety protocols and keeps staff updated on evolving regulations. Luminous XR’s VR-based safety training reduces accidents by up to 45%.
Increasing Costs:
Reducing Capital Expenditure
With rising global demand, highly volatile prices and increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the oil and gas industry is facing pressures to offset costs. Traditional training methods often require significant investment in real-world equipment, travel, and operational downtime. Finding cost-effective solutions is crucial for maintaining profitability and competitiveness.
VR training results in significant savings – reducing capital expenditure by 20% through avoiding the necessity for real-world equipment, travel, and operational downtime.
Use Cases for the Oil and Gas Industry
Luminous XR’s VR training content provides targeted scenarios tailored to the unique challenges of the energy, oil, and gas industries including:
- Safety Training and Hazard Recognition: Enabling workers to experience situations like working in confined spaces and hot work along with identifying potential hazards without the risk. Trainers can test and assess how employees react and cope with certain scenarios.
- Technical Equipment Training: Employees can gain hands-on training for operating and maintaining critical equipment like heat exchangers, gate valves, and pressure gauges. Employees can master these skills, build muscle memory and gain confidence by learning at their own pace ahead of taking their skills directly into the field.
- Troubleshooting: Trainees can practice resolving complex issues that are vital for operational efficiency – so when they arrive, maintenance can be carried out with confidence, at speed.
