Well Expertise has hailed an industry “first”, using an on-the-rig training simulator for a plug and abandonment (P&A) campaign.
The firm is the well management company for operator DNO at the Oselvar field.
Well Expertise said this is the first time a simulator has been used in-situ for P&A specific training ahead of an operation at an offshore field, though it been used prior to an exploration campaign with Wellesley.
Working with Drilling Systems and training specialist Survivex, six crews were given various scenarios to deal with, including response to pressure increases.
Welll Expertise will now be rolling out the simulator across all its remaining campaigns this year with DNO, Wellesley and other operators.
Morten Laget from Well Expertise said: “We strive to offer our clients any solution available that helps to reduce the risk of the operation and onboard simulator training is an excellent tool to help with this.
“Plug and abandonment training is typically not addressed to this extent during periodic mandatory well control courses, but the OTR equipment allowed us to undergo some practical training on the rig itself during work time combined with review of Subsea Equipment and Associated Operations. This helped the crew in building competency and confidence and lowering the risk of major well control incidents.
“Following the success of this training, we now plan to roll out OTR onboard training across at least three further exploration wells, including a HPHT well in 2022.”
Clive Battisby, head of simulation at 3t Energy Group, which owns Survivex, said the firm is “delighted” with the result.