A STATE-of-the-art simulator which is used in decommissioning North Sea oil and gas infrastructure is to make the short journey from its home at Robert Gordon’s University (RGU) to this year’s Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Offshore Europe event in Aberdeen.
The DRILLSIM:5000 Decom Simulator, and its associated software, is a world-first and is being used to support decommissioning activities in the UK and other parts of the world.
It is a collaboration between RGU, Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC), KCA Deutag and Drilling Systems, and focuses on well-plugging and abandonment (P&A).
Delegates to next month’s 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 manner similar to how pilots are trained and tested on flight simulators.
RGU’s drilling simulation manager, Phil Hassard, who will be looking after the device, said: “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.”
Clive Battisby, chief operating officer at Drilling Systems, said: “We are delighted to partner with RGU at Offshore Europe to showcase the benefits of using simulators in oil and gas training and to enhance decommissioning skills.”
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