Multimedia Simulation Technology Develops Interactive Visualization and Analysis of Oilfield Equipment and Systems
Authors: Schwendemann Ken 
Published: December 2007

The rapid expansion of oilfield technology, while providing the oilfield with state-of-the art equipment that can keep pace with the ever expanding operational needs of the industry, has found itself faced with a new set of problems. These concern the fact that the experience of the end user as well as the system designer cannot keep abreast of the rapid equipment advancements. Efficiency, therefore, in using the new equipment and procedures suffers, which reduces the effectiveness of the new technologies.

This paper will discuss a "global simulator" that has the capability to open the door to object-based interactive assembly and operation of oilfield equipment. Using the simulator, an operator can assemble strings of tools/equipment, and then, literally operate that specific arrangement of tools or equipment in an electronic environment that can be designed with the same parameters as the wellbore in which the equipment will be used. This is all done from an interface that gives active visual feedback about the tools/equipment status. When a global simulation is run, the evaluation section for each piece of equipment communicates with the global simulator. Thus, it has the capability to 1) illustrate the functionality of complete systems, 2) trouble shoot, 3) train personnel, and 4) enhance equipment design in a simple analytical method that overcomes language barriers.

The new simulator effectively allows different pieces of equipment to work together and sets new standards for interactive visualization and analysis of oilfield equipment and systems. The global simulator derives its unique capability to allow accurate predetermination of equipment/system capabilities when subjected to specific wellbore environments by drawing upon the expert knowledge embedded in the files of individual tools or equipment that have been stored in simulator evaluation sections.

Simulation History

Simulators have been used to expand the understanding of processes and systems in numerous industries for many years. There are various forms and levels of simulation, depending upon the application. Mathematical simulators typically have a data-set input that generates a data-set output. This type of simulation is used predominantly in the scientific and engineering community. Finite element analysis and reservoir analysis are examples of mathematical simulations. Physical simulators, on the other hand, are generally the concepts developed for use in the training of operators for efficient use of equipment and systems. The most well known example of a physical simulator is the program that flight trainers have used for years to train pilots.

Because of recent enhancements to computer technology, increased performance capabilities have been noted in programming for the personal computer (PC). As a result, physical simulation has now become available for PC use in the Agames@ format, and thus, the proliferation of flight simulator games. It is of interest to note here that a flight simulator game on the personal computer, although not of the same caliber as the fully submerging physical simulations that are used to train pilots, still offers an effective method for teaching flight skills. What has been added recently to the simulator equation is the development of multi-media authoring systems for the personal computer. These programming tools have tilted the economic scales in favor of generating simulations for a broad scope of applications. Although all industries have needed the capabilities of physical simulators, they simply have not been able to afford either the time or money to produce them. This has now changed. With the advent of good multimedia authoring systems and today's more powerful personal computers, the industrial markets are now able to produce physical simulations of equipment and systems that could not have been cost justified just a few years ago.

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