AR and VR Applications Improve Engineering Collaboration,PersonnelOptimization,and Equipment Accuracy for Separation Solutions

摘要

With the most recent industry downturn still fresh in many minds,the oil and gas E&P sector is approachingthis recovery with a commitment to long-term cost discipline.As a result,augmented reality (AR) andvirtual reality (VR) technologies are being adopted by operators and service companies alike as a means ofcost savings while driving operational efficiency.AR technologies employ enhanced visualization hardware,techniques,and methodologies to create newenvironments wherein digital and physical objects and their data coexist and interact with one another,enhancing the user experience of the real world (Kunkel and Soechti 2017).VR refers to the full immersionof the user intoand interaction with a completely digital environment.Together,these technologies form thecore of immersive experience and a new paradigm in industrial interaction.Until recently,these technologies were primarily applied as enhanced entertainment products,mostnotably within the gaming industry.However,during the past several years,and thanks to the introduction ofhands-free,head-mounted display (HMD) technologies,such as Microsoft~R HoloLens~TM and now HoloLens2,AR and VR are migrating into the enterprise sector.While the oil field has not been as quick to integrate AR and VR as other sectors,such as medicine,defense,and aeronautics,operators and service providers alike have increased adoption overthe past 12months.Motivated by a mandate to keep operating costs low and improve efficiencies in terms of fieldprocesses,operators have begun implementing AR/VR applications as collaborative problem-solving,planning,and design tools.For example,some operators are initiating ARconcepts to promote internal use development andprototyping for both oilfield applications and remote refinery inspections.Additionally,service companiesare embracing the use of smart glasses and wearable technologies to help improve remote work andcollaboration to help increase in-field safety and reduce downtime.As part of its strategy to help drive the oil and gas industry's digital transformation,one major serviceprovider is developing AR/VR applications to create digital representations of physical oilfield assets on theMicrosoft~R HoloLens device.One area of focus is the planning,design,and deployment of solids control,fluid separation,and handling technologies for offshore drilling applications.