Following the rapid deployment of virtual reality (VR) in the gaming and entertainment industries, and as VR headsets become increasingly more affordable, we are now the witnessing wide-scale deployment of this technology in other industries to achieve increased safety, efficiency and productivity. Many applications are available that allow oil and gas companies to develop use cases, train employees in virtually identical workplace environments, increase productivity and lower risk. The benefits VR can offer oil and gas companies are numerous.
TRAINING
Most oil and gas facilities (such as drilling platforms, refineries and processing plants etc) feature complex pieces of equipment, which if handled incorrectly, could cause injuries or fatalities or even widespread and long-lasting damage to the environment. In this kind of workplace, it is extremely beneficial to have a safe space to train new staff and up-skill existing personnel for new tasks.
While theoretical training still plays an important role, VR allows users to get a ‘hands-on’ experience with complex tasks such as operating heavy machinery and even experience critical emergencies (with zero repercussions for failure. This means employees can hone their instincts, learn new skills, catch their mistakes and make instant and safer decisions.
MAINTENANCE
Oil and gas installations are commonly located in remote locations across the world – sometimes hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town or shore. This makes them increasingly difficult and expensive to access. Additionally, technology and procedures are constantly changing. For cost and time efficiencies, technicians may utilise VR to familiarise themselves with facility layouts, equipment etc. prior to physically being on-site.
ENHANCING EVERYDAY OPERATION
VR has also proven to be an invaluable tool for helping oil and gas companies run their daily operations but also during exploration practices. When a team of geologists, geophysicists, drilling engineers and technicians are tasked with analysing vast acres of seismic data to select a drilling location, a 3-D model of the subsurface can be rendered using VR for observing the terrain, undulations and fractures in the geologic formation. It creates a virtual walk through of the subsurface that can guide decision-makers in the evaluation of the pros and cons of proceeding with drilling operations.
Virtual reality is changing the way we conceptualise,learn, communicate and execute tasks in the modern workplace. In the oil and gas industry, VR is already adding significant value to operations, particularly in areas such as training, exploration, operation and decommissioning. It is nothing short of exciting to imagine what VR may enable in the future.
Sources: VR technology supports oil and gas plant simulation and skill development, GlobalData; Safety training gets a dose of virtual reality, EnergyFactor by ExxonMobil
