Virtual Rig
IRIS has in operation a basic virtual laboratory that has demonstrated the feasibility to facilitate development, evaluation and design of the future work processes, software tools and automations within planning and execution of the drilling operation. This laboratory concept is unique in the world with its combination of equipment, graphical representation, sound and an advanced well model. The well model consists of hydraulic, torque&drag and temperature models and provides a realistic response to the drillers actions in real-time.
The Virtual Rig also consists of an operation centre with decision support system showing continuously the modelled hydraulic and mechanical situation in the complete wellbore and drill-string. Alarms and warnings are generated when detecting possible problems in the well.
In addition to the virtual rig area and the operation centre, the virtual laboratory facilities an observation room for psychologists and experimentalists. Certain incidents (e.g. kick, stuck pipe) or deviation from expected behaviour can be actuated and psychologists and others can observe how the drilling crew, possible in co-operation with the operations centre, handle the situation.
The laboratory can be used for:
- Simulation for training and certification
- Research and development of new equipment and drilling concepts
- Experimenting with automation of the drilling process
- Evolutionary development and verification of procedures for new work processes and software
- Research and design of human-machine interface
Since the first version of the laboratory was completed autumn 2008, several research projects have used the facilities for development, evaluation and design of work processes, software and automation of the drilling process in a safe environment as close to real life as possible.
Example of experiences:
- Monitoring of rig machinery automation (Drilltronics) in real-time
- Training of crew before Drilltronics pilot at Statfjord C
- Testing of PLC algorithms before Drilltronics pilot at Statfjord C
- Identification of different aspects of wired pipe technology
- Testing of different decision support software tools:
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