Clive Battisby, head of simulation for Drilling Systems’ parent company, 3t Energy Group, talks about cloud-based simulators and their advancements throughout the years.
In this mini-series of blogs, head of simulation for 3t Energy Group, Clive Battisby talks about the rapid uptake of cloud-based simulators for in-house and commercial training organisations around the world.
Drilling Systems’ iSimulator range, which includes the popular iDrillSIM cloud-based drilling and well control simulator, has been one of training and competencies successes of the last 12 months. With both IADC and IWCF approval it quickly passed 12,000 hours of completed simulation.
Talking about the technological step-change, Clive said:
“The catalyst for this product has of course been COVID-19, however we previously spotted the opportunity much earlier. Drilling Systems was already developing app-based learning (branded as R3) and cloud-based learning (iDrillSIM) back in 2019.
“iDrillSIM is based on the same drilling and well control software platform as our full-sized simulators and therefore utilises the same high-definition graphics and downhole modelling capabilities. This has been overwhelmingly well received by our clients who have complimented iDrillSIM for its intuitive interfaces and detailed graphics.
“The latest cloud-based learning tools available to the market are helping to reduce travel time for the industry as a whole. Already we can see clients mitigating the non-productive-time associated with travel and accommodation for training courses by utilising instructors to teach delegates in multiple countries around the world – time zones permitting.”
When asked what’s next for iDrillSIM, Clive said: “The development team and our subject matter experts are working on an iSnubSIM version. Before its release we hope to launch a number of well intervention add-ons including “iCoilSIM” and “iWirelineSIM”. These will also inherit the software and graphical capabilities of their large-sim counterparts.
“Remember you can complete purchases for our cloud-based learning simulators entirely online* via our website. Click ‘buy now’ on the product page, follow the link, select the type of software license you would like and complete credit card details. If you would like to complete an order with alternative payment methods such as invoicing you can do this by emailing our sales team.”