Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, my name is Desmond Greene. I m a Simulation Designer and Project Manager with GRI Simulations Inc., a software development company based locally in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. Today I am going to provide you with some information on how 3D simulation technology is being used to better prepare for emergency environmental response in the offshore oil and gas industry. 1
An overview of the technology involved VROV stands for Virtual Remotely Operated Vehicle. VROV is a simulation software solution created by GRI and designed to simulate subsea operations, focusing specifically on tasks which require ROV intervention. ProteusDS is a Finite Element Analysis software package that is used to test virtual prototypes of marine, offshore and subsea systems. The ProteusDS software package is developed by Dynamic Systems Analysis Ltd., who have offices in Victoria, British Colombia and Halifax, Nova Scotia. GRI and DSA have worked together to develop a unique, integrated subsea simulations solution which provides a robust set of tools for planning, rehearsing and analyzing critical operations to increase efficiency and safety while working remotely in the subsea environment. 2
GRI Simulations was established in 1986 and was originally focused on oceanmapping services using the Dolphin semi-submersible system. In 1997, recognizing the increasing need for ROV pilot training solutions, and realizing the ever-increasing capabilities of 3D computer graphics and real-time computational physics technology, GRI began development of the VROV Simulator System. For 15 years GRI has been dedicated exclusively to ROV and subsea simulation and continues to be recognized worldwide as the leader in ROV simulation 3
VROV can be used to train new ROV pilots without the risk of damaging expensive equipment and without the time and cost associated with deploying the real equipment in a tank or offshore. The software also allows experienced pilots to rehearse missions multiple times prior to performing the actual, time-critical tasks offshore, effectively increasing pilot proficiency and mission efficiency. This image shows a trainee flying through a simulated ROV operation while sitting in an ROV pilot s chair. The VROV software has been fully integrated with the ROV controls located on the arms of the chair to allow the pilot to train on an actual ROV controls console. GRI has already integrated VROV into most of today s major workclass ROV consoles. 4
The ROV Pilot program at Marine Institute utilizes two VROV systems to train new pilots. This VROV simulator has recently been integrated with Martine Institute s ship bridge simulator, allowing collaborated simulated operations, where the ROV pilot trainees can communicate with students on the simulated bridge for a more immersive and complete training experience. 5
To allow for pilot self-training, without the need for an instructor or supervisor, GRI has developed a custom Objective Overlay which lists the steps required to complete each simulated operation. This information is displayed on the screen and automatically steps through the objectives as they are completed. The VROV software knows when a task has been completed based on sensors and logic programmed into each simulation. 6
GRI has recently been contracted to develop simulations for the installation and operation of multiple well capping equipment systems, all of which are being manufactured by Trendsetter Engineering in Houston, Texas. These newly developed capping systems are a direct response to the Macondo blowout, also known as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20 th of 2010. This incident is considered to be the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry, with an estimated 4.9 million barrels being discharged into the Gulf over an 87 day period, until the well was finally capped on July 15 th, almost 3 months later. 7
The Subsea Well Response Project is a global consortium of the 9 super-major energy companies who have come together in an effort to develop well capping and containment solutions for the global oil and gas industry. GRI is responsible for creating training simulations to demonstrate and practice debris clearance and site preparation, capping equipment installation and operation, and long term capping and containment operations. 8
GRI s Field Development Kit software allows the user to layout subsea equipment using imported, geo-referenced bathymetry to accurately represent the subsea oil field environment. This capability allows for the layout and operations planning of the well capping equipment to be conducted in the very early stages of field development. 9
GRI has recently delivered the second of two VROV Simulator Systems to Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) for their first international base inauguration in Stavanger, Norway in March 2013. OSRL is responsible for housing, maintaining and deploying the SWRP capping system equipment in the case of an emergency situation. The Stavanger base is the first of four to be opened. The others bases will be opening in Singapore, Malaysia; Cape Town, South Africa; and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil over the next year. 10
GRI has also delivered Well Capping Simulations to Marine Well Containment Company and Helix Energy Solutions for use in the Gulf of Mexico, specifically. As part of the delivery, GRI created an overview video of the simulated operations to be used for training and marketing purposes. 11
GRI has also developed simulations for multiple pipeline repair systems for different projects and conditions. These simulations have been used for system design verification, equipment layout and installation planning, mission rehearsal and dynamics analysis. 12
In the Field Development Kit, the pipeline repair equipment can be laid out in the desired geo-referenced location to provide an overview of surrounding structures and possible hazards that may effect the repair operation. This video shows the PRS equipment being placed on a flow line of an actual subsea oil field in the Gulf of Mexico. 13
The Pipeline Repair System operations simulations allow users to test the functioning of the PRS equipment on different terrain slopes, using different pipeline sizes, under varying environmental conditions to better define each system s limitations and operating thresholds. 14
Dynamics Systems Analysis Ltd., or DSA, provides numerical modeling services and software to reduce the risk of its clients in the defense, marine, offshore, and subsea industries. DSA uses its expertise to create engineering analysis software that tackles tough ocean engineering problems. DSA has offices in Victoria, BC and Halifax, NS, Canada. 15
ProteusDS is an advanced time-domain dynamics analysis software package that is used to test virtual prototypes of marine, offshore and subsea systems. ProteusDS enables engineering and operational analysis of moorings, risers, pipelines, fish farms, towed bodies, wave energy converters, and much more. ProteusDS makes use of advanced hydrodynamic and finite-element models to achieve accurate results. 16
GRI and DSA have recently added Real-Time Finite Element Analysis capabilities to VROV s Pipeline Repair simulations to give equipment engineers a way to quickly calculate bending stresses on the pipeline as it is being lifted off and lowered back to the sea floor during the repair procedure. 17
This video shows a simulated Riser Pull-in operation, which has ProteusDS calculating stresses and minimum bending radii on the flexible risers as they are connected to the upright rigid riser assemblies. We prepared these simulations for each of 9 different riser pull-ins, with each flexible riser having different physical parameters. These simulations were used extensively by Subsea 7 to finalize their operations planning, with multiple changes being made to their operations procedures as a direct result of working with the simulator system. 18
Some of the new developments which GRI and DSA are working on together include Spider Buoy Riser Installation, Iceberg Towing Systems, and ROV Trenching Systems. 19
The VROV-ProteusDS Simulator System and Field Development Kit software solutions provide unique visualization, simulation and engineering analysis capabilities, enabling enhanced preparedness for subsea environmental emergencies. 20
If you would like more information on the services GRI and DSA provide, or are wondering if there is a 3D simulation solution that would benefit a particular project, please contact us. 21