Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital information onto the physical world to provide a better contextual understanding of an environment.
Virtual Reality, on the other hand, overlaps real-world experience for a user with a completely simulated one. Industrial AR is specifically used to assist employees in the operation, maintenance, or service of factory assets and equipment.
According to Michael M. Campbell, executive vice president at PTC, AR is well suited for industrial use cases particularly workforce training and product maintenance.
So, companies that are facing knowledge gaps and expertise loss as workers retire are capturing that knowledge digitally and sharing it with less-experienced workers via AR tools.
What Challenge Is The Oil and Gas Industry Currently Facing?
Augmented Virtual Reality Simulation is adapted well and used mostly in Oil and Gas professional training.
The Oil and Gas industry is going through a massive change in their workforce which means the dominant experienced generation will pass on the baton to the millennials over the next few years.
Premium is placed on a newer generation to assume increasing job responsibilities without compromising on safety and quality.
According to Honeywell, workers trained using AR technologies tend to retain 80 percent of what they’ve learned, compared to 20 to 30 percent when they read a manual.
Therefore, the traditional approach of classroom sessions and on-the-job training will not be enough to deliver in-sync to the expectation.
What Is The Difference Between AR and VR Technologies In The Oil and Gas Sector?
While AR and VR technologies are somewhat similar there is a distinct difference between them, especially in the Oil and Gas industry.
Augmented Reality (AR) in the Oil and Gas sector provides a visual view of the system along with the digital information. It provides graphics, real-time data, and feedback.
Field engineers can also perform maintenance tasks by using AR informative graphics, resulting in a better assessment of the issues and reduced downtimes.
It can also be used in the monitoring of the critical equipment for preventive and corrective maintenance in rigs, exploration and production units.
Virtual Reality (VR) simulation mimics the real-world scenario. The user can interact with the elements and can even perform tasks virtually through sensory experience. This is one of the best learning tools for the upcoming generation.
It enables them to learn about the oil reservoir, rigs, and other equipment in a life-like setting, without being physically present in the hazardous environment. They can also learn about the possible hiccups and the ways to combat them.
By using 3D immersive technology, one can zoom in and zoom out the viewing model and can compare the expected system with the actual to learn more about the deviation.
What Solution Solves The Skills Gap Problem In The Oil And Gas Industry?
Good employee training methods are those that offer flexibility for the learner and can be adapted to suit the strengths of each individual.
Luckily for companies in Nigeria, IngresQR’s AR Headset and ‘Over The Shoulder Coaching’ software is an innovative solution to combat the skills gap currently being encountered in the Oil and Gas industry.
For example, IngresQR’s Extended Reality project on Wellhead maintenance goes through the various phases of:
Pre-Site Mobilization
- Effective planning of work scope by exploring the wellhead parts via the AR application and creating the appropriate sequence of activities for the job.
- Identification of wellhead component parts is made easier with the 3D AR rendering.
- The worker can also see what specific parts of the wellhead will be affected by the scope of the work so as to prepare for any emergent work as a result of the intervention. Etc.
Work Execution at Site
- IngresQR’s AR technology allows the maintenance worker to have a sectioned view of the internal components of the wellhead superimposed over the actual wellhead even before the wellhead is disassembled.
- The AR gear and software also allows for the site execution personnel to collaborate with a remote subject matter expert who can provide real-time support to ensure the execution is successfully completed.
Post Maintenance Activities
- The accuracy of post maintenance documentation of activities carried out onsite
is improved due to the real-time markups while executing the job.
- Reports of site activities gives the client or supervisor a more detailed view of activities which were executed thereby enabling continuous improvement of the workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Industrial Augmented Reality?
Industrial AR is specifically used to assist employees in the operation, maintenance, or service of factory assets and equipment.
How is VR different from AR in the Oil and Gas Industry?
AR provides graphics, real-time data, and feedback while VR allows the user to interact with the elements and can even perform tasks virtually through sensory experience.
How can AR/VR be employed in the Oil and Gas industry?
With IngresQR’s wearable devices and ‘Over The Shoulder Coaching’ software, Oil and Gas employees can carry out maintenance, train colleagues and perform overall job functions without the accompanying safety concerns of being present offshore.
Conclusion
IngresQR’s AR technology has been employed in the Oil and Gas industry to increase revenue and reduce the exposure of employees and experts to high-risk safety scenarios which are common in offshore operations.
