Denmark: Maersk Drilling Orders State-of-the-Art Drilling Simulator

Maersk Drilling and Maersk Training have invested in a state-of-the-art drilling simulator from Drilling Systems (UK) Ltd. The fully immersive drilling simulator will provide a real-life experience and will be customized to incorporate the specific designs of Maersk Drilling’s latest newbuilding series and existing deepwater semis. The drilling simulator is expected to be fully operational mid 2012 and will be housed in a purpose-built complex at Maersk Training in Svendborg.

“We have one of the youngest and most advanced fleets of drilling rigs in the world. With highly advanced equipment comes the need for more advanced training and competency assessment to ensure safe operations, which is our top priority,” says Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling and Partner in A.P. Moller – Maersk. “This simulator provides the most sophisticated and individualized training available in the market, and will enable our crew to train specifically in the surroundings they will be met by when going to the rig.”

Individualized training on specific rig designs

The state-of-the-art DrillSIM-6000 drilling simulator allows for integrated training by making interactions with other operations on the rig. This provides a huge advantage compared to conventional drilling simulators. The system also provides for a much more individualized training than possible today as the drillers will receive realistic and real-time feedback on their operational performance – and even more importantly the simulator will facilitate training in teams which will create a much more realistic work situation.

The system simulates various well control scenarios, including Maersk generated deepwater training and enables practicing of a wide range of advanced drilling operations, including stuck pipe, jarring, MPD, BOP landing and LMRP disconnects. Among the other features included in the system is the downhole visualization tool which will improve the in-depth understanding of the drilling process for the users.

“We expect the industry to welcome this considerable investment in ensuring that all those on the energy frontline can be taught, tested and assessed by creating scenarios we hope they will never come across in real life, but should they do so they feel better equipped to deal with the situation,” says Claus Bihl, CEO of Maersk Training. “The breadth and versatility of the complex will mean we can fully assess and develop the decision-making qualities of the individual under the most testing of circumstances.”

The new simulator will incorporate custom-made rig packages for each of Maersk Drilling’s three latest newbuilding series including the CJ70 jack-up, built for Ultra Harsh Environment, the Ultra Deepwater Semi-submersible and the Ultra Deepwater Drillship. In addition to this, the drilling simulator will also include three generic rig packages. The new simulator complex will be built alongside Maersk Offshore Simulation and Innovation Centre, MOSAIC, and the two facilities will be designed to operate in tandem enabling complete interaction between rigs and supply vessels.

Maersk Drilling provides high-efficiency drilling services to oil companies around the world. In addition to the four drillships and two jack-up rigs ordered in 2011, the modern fleet counts 26 drilling rigs including deepwater semi-submersibles, high-end jack-up rigs and cantilevered drilling barges. Maersk Drilling was established in 1972 and employs an international staff of 3,200 people.

Maersk Training offers a wide range of course and learning activities to the Maritime, Oil & Gas and Wind Energy industries. The activities are centered around nine product lines consisting of Maritime, Oil & Gas, Emergency Preparedness & Prevention, Crane & Logistic, Wind, People Skills, Safety, Security and HR Services. The learning activities take place worldwide with training centres in Denmark, UK, Norway, India, Nigeria and Brazil.

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Source:Maersk Drilling , July 21, 2011;