What is claimed to be North America’s most advanced drilling simulator is expected to begin operations early next year near Houston with the goal of making offshore operations safer and less costly.

Oilfield services firm Aker Solutions has spent US$2.5 million on the “state-of-the-art” simulator, which will be available seven days a week for North American-based rig operators and oil companies. It will double the capacity of the company’s current training center in Katy, TX, near Houston.

The simulator “will have dedicated staff who can provide ’round-the-clock service on Aker Solutions’ complete range of topside drilling equipment,” said Glenn Ellis, head of drilling technologies for Aker Solutions in the United States. “A realistic, real-time visualization of drilling operations enables rig operators to learn to make better and faster decisions. The result is safer operations, more efficient drilling and increased rig up time. This simulator technology certainly allows us to offer superior training facilities for our clients and our own employees.”

Aker Solutions serves the deepwater drilling market with equipment packages and technologies. Using 3-D visualization technology, the company said it has developed the market-leading drilling simulators, which are currently in operation in Brazil, Singapore, Norway and South Korea in addition to Houston. A new simulator is also being prepared in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The centerpiece of the 9,800-square foot training center is a 240-degree domed simulator. “Its dome-shaped screen, combined with utilization of actual drilling control systems software, creates a realistic environment that emulates what is experienced on a rig,” the company said. “Each specific rig is meticulously recreated as a virtual asset, including all rig equipment and control systems. This offers the possibility of onshore training and detailed operational planning, with the same signal treatment, in virtual environments that are identical to those that will be experienced offshore.”

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