INDEPENDENT energy expert and assurance provider DNV has planned to showcase its virtual reality (VR) tool at SPE Offshore Europe 2023 (OE23) in Aberdeen.
The VR technology will aim to help improve safety standards in the energy sector by developing a major accident hazard (MAH) programme, consisting of various scenarios where users walk through a simulated environment.
Later this year, DNV will present these scenarios in a technical session where users will face typical operational tasks like opening valves or erecting a scaffold, while using hand controllers and a typical VR headset with headphones and cameras built in.
As the simulation contains failures that can escalate to a fire or an explosion, it provides opportunities for discussions to identify and mitigate hazards and avoid or respond appropriately to major accidents in real life.
The DNV programme has already been adopted by ten oil and gas operators including Harbour Energy – the largest London-listed independent oil and gas company – to complement the organisation’s existing training programme for MAH awareness.
Christine Luoma, Principal Consultant, DNV, said: “The use of the VR technology for training is a safe, cost effective and interactive method that has potential to revolutionise industry training.
“The programme offers a high level of realism, with high quality graphics bringing to life an environment akin to an onshore or offshore facility.
“VR is easy to use and introduces a fun factor to learning that has really improved engagement, raising MAH awareness across the workforce.”
Martin Wardrope, Process Engineer, Harbour Energy, commented: “The technology is a great addition to our in-person training programme and allows us to foster a proactive process safety culture.”
DNV and Harbour will present a paper detailing how VR has made a transformative approach to MAH awareness training at OE23, which will be held at P&J Live, Aberdeen from 5-8 September 2023.
