University of Guyana

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Department of Petroleum and
Geological Engineering

Course : PEG3104 -New and Emerging Technologies

Lecturer: Miss Jasmine Medina
Group members: Harvey Stoll- 1033784
Carlos Ralph - 1034292
Simeon DeAbreu - 1034900
Joshua Johnson - 1034761
Lukas Walcott - 1033889
Presentation Outline

● Abstract
● Introduction
● Literature Survey
● Theory
● Methodology
● Results and Discussion
● Conclusion and Recommendations
● References

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Abstract

So, Virtual Reality is a topic that our group is interested in. We chose this topic because an
increasing number of oil companies are including it in their training and other initiatives.

VR creates a safe atmosphere for training and ensures safety, which is ideal. As prospective
petroleum engineers, we felt it was critical to stay current and educated about industry
changes; after all, information is power, as they say.

The main goal of our project was to look at the benefits of virtual reality and how it may help
the oil business grow. To study this, we created a questionnaire and distributed it to
participants, asking them to answer the research question.

A large number of papers were obtained and studied, with patterns, similarities, and
discrepancies being carefully examined. The results acquired and the conclusion we reached as
a group will be discussed further in this presentation.

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 1. Introduction

This project’s main focus was to study and to discuss how Virtual Reality benefits the oil and gas sector.

Virtual Reality is able to simulate real-life scenarios and environments where one can interact with.

In this context, the team’s aims of this project were as follows:

1. To analyse the contribution of Virtual Reality with Safety in the Oil and Gas industry
2. To show evidence of improved efficiency in the oil and gas sector through Virtual Reality

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2. Literature Survey

The following literature review confirms the benefits of Virtual Reality application in the oil and
gas industry and basically highlights the improvements of safety and cost efficiency.

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2.1 VR Safety Improvements

In a study conducted by McGrath, it was observed that exposing oil workers to a Virtual Reality
Risk Perception Environment would increase safety precautions and hazard perception greatly
(McGrath, 2008).

To add, another study by McGrath involve its participants interacting in a web-based virtual
reality where they were also exposed to similar scenarios. However, these interactions would
be recorded for Supervisors to view. Supervisors would therefore be able to recommend
appropriate measures each participant can improve on (McGrath, 2010).

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2.2 Improving Workflow

A study by H.F. dos Santos, about creating a Collaborative Engineering Environment for
workers was conducted to improve on various categories of workflow. It was found that
through collaborative efforts visually, the user interpretation capacity and skills improved
(Ismael H.F. dos Santos, 2012).

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 2.3 Optimising Cost and Reducing Risk in
Geosteering

Due to the complexity and the challenge of LWD Geosteering of high-tech horizontal wells through
thin reservoir sections, a study by Mitra and her team was done on studying the contrast with
monitoring the Geosteering operation in a real-time virtual reality environment instead.

It was concluded that it improved rig wait time significantly since the simulation improved the
interpretation of complex problems. Also, it helped to improve health, safety and environment (HSE)
standards through remote operation of difficult rig site conditions (Mitra, 2004).

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2.4 Improving Productivity of Equipment
Maintenance

Virtual Reality allows workers to be trained off-site without interrupting the usual work
schedules or exposing them to real dangers. For that reason, a study conducted by Aziz and her
team showed that VR holds advantages over traditional methods of training and productivity
improvement (Faieza Abdul Aziz, 2018).

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2.5 Developing Professionalism

Petroleum engineering students are seen as the future of the petroleum industry so,
developing professional skills with the use of Virtual Reality was seen to be engaging for them
in a study by Retnanto’s team.

Instead of making them experience the field through on-site field trips, they were immersed in
virtually simulated field trips based on the worksites (Alberto Retnanto, 2019).

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2.6 Literature Survey Conclusion

While it may seem as though the Virtual Reality is extremely beneficial to the Oil and Gas
industry, it still makes one wonder if it can fully outweigh the traditional methods of trying to
optimise costs and to increase safety.

For that reason, this project will further research on making it clear on the benefits of Virtual
Reality in the Oil and Gas Industry and where it stands.

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 3. Theory

This section of the presentation focuses on key concepts of the topic.

● Virtual - created by a computer, not existing

● Reality - state of how things are
● Virtual Reality - a 3D computer generated environment that allows users to interact with its elements

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3.1 The Concept of Virtual Reality

The concept of Virtual Reality - the computer system uses algorithms and sensors, along with
special hardware to immerse users.

Common Virtual Reality hardware include:

● Headsets
● Gloves
● Treadmills

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3.2 Virtual Reality Hardware

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3.3 The Types of Virtual Reality

The types of virtual reality are classified according to their level of immersiveness.

Immersiveness - the extent to which the user’s senses are engaged.

The types of Virtual Reality are:

● Fully immersive
● Semi immersive
● Non-immersive

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3.4 Fully Immersive Simulations

These simulations are almost indistinguishable from the real world through the use of special
hardware.

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3.5 Semi Immersive Simulations

Users are immersed in a partially virtual environment. They are given the perception of a
simulated environment and the physical environment is suited for this.

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3.6 Non- Immersive Simulations

In non - immersive simulations, the user interacts without using any required hardware.

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4. Methodology

● A leader was elected and the group commenced researching on the topic.
● All information was then pooled and filtered based on relevance to the group’s
objectives and reputability of the sources.
● A mixed methodological approach was selected, i.e a combination of Qualitative and
Quantitative Analysis.
● The Qualitative Analysis aspect was based on studying the written work in articles and
on websites.
● For the Quantitative Analysis, an interview was conducted among 10 respondents based
on their feelings towards virtual reality and its use in Oil and Gas.

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 4.1 Questions from Interview

● Do you know what Virtual Reality is?

● If you answered favourably to the previous question, what are the use(s) of Virtual Reality?
● Virtual Reality is a new and emerging technology in the Oil and Gas industry. How do you think it is being used?

● Do you think the use of Virtual Reality in the Oil and Gas industry would prove to be more efficient than
traditional methods?

● Do you think the use of Virtual Reality in the Oil and Gas industry would be more cost effective than traditional
methods?

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 5. Results and Discussion
We looked at several ways VR can be utilized or is already being used in the industry in a
study that our group received. We'll talk about what was discovered as we go further.

Photorealistic renderings are visuals that are created to look as real as possible. This may
be used to explore, interact with, and even change a scene, while also speeding up the
workflow and making it simple to grasp.

Earth remote sensing entails gathering information on the properties of a formation from
a distance using specialized equipment. It may be a dedicated camera, or it could even be
a satellite.

CAD systems (computer-aided design) are used to create three-dimensional geometric

models. Researchers may be able to finish tasks such as changing a decent trajectory
faster in an immersive virtual world than they could on a PC. There are also a variety of
additional practical uses for VR.

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Quantitative Analysis - Figure 5.2.1

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Figure 5.2.2

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Figure 5.2.3

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Figure 5.2.4

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Figure 5.2.5

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6. Conclusion and Recommendation

It can be concluded that Virtual Technology is a new and emerging technology which is being
used in the Oil and Gas Industry. Its uses include the areas of:

● Safety
● Improved job efficiency
● Improved cost effectiveness

It is therefore recommended that:

● Virtual Reality be implemented in the areas in which it would have the most impact.
● Virtual Reality should be used in conjunction with the traditional methods of operation
since it is still new and success is not guaranteed.

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7. References

● Poetker, B. (2019). What Is Virtual Reality? (+3 Types of VR Experiences). Retrieved from:
https://learn.g2.com/virtual-reality

● Poetker, B. (2019). The Very Real History of Virtual Reality (+A Look Ahead). Retrieved on.
Retrieved from: https://www.g2.com/articles/history-of-virtual-reality

● Anonymous. (Not Dated). Virtual Reality. Retrieved from:

https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/virtual-reality

● Woodford, C. (2021). Virtual reality. Retrieved from:

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/virtualreality.html

● Arango, B. (2022). What is virtual reality and how does it work? Retrieved from:
https://filmora.wondershare.com/virtual-reality/how-does-vr-work.html 29
7. References Cont’d
● Bardi, J. (2019). What is Virtual Reality? [Definition and Examples].. Retrieved from:
https://www.marxentlabs.com/what-is-virtual-reality/
● Albertus Retnanto, M. F. (2019). Active Student Engagement in Learning - Using Virtual Reality
Technology to Develop Professional Skills for Petroleum Engineering Education. Retrieved from Sci-hub:
https://sci-hub.se/10.2118/195922-MS
● Faieza Abdul Aziz, M. A. (2018). Using Virtual Reality for Equipment Maintenance in Oil and Gas
Industry, 15 (4),. Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 1090-1094.
● GlobalData. (2020, January 2). Virtual reality in oil and gas: Key trends revealed. Retrieved from
Offshore Technology:
https://www.offshore-technology.com/comment/virtual-reality-in-oil-and-gas-key-trends-revealed/
● Ismael H. F. dos Santos, L. P. (2012, January). A Collaborative Virtual Reality Oil & Gas. Retrieved from
International Journal of Virtual Reality: https://ijvr.eu/article/view/2832

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7. References Cont’d

● McGrath, T. (2008). Measuring The Effectiveness Of Hazard And Risk Awareness Interventions Utilising
A Virtual Reality Risk Perception Measurement Simulation. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and
Exhibition. Retrieved from Sci-hub: sci-hub.se/10.2118/114958-MS
● McGrath, T. (2010). Equipping Hazard and Risk Awareness Training Course Providers with Web Based
Virtual Reality Risk Perception Measurement Simulation Tests. Retrieved from SPE:
sci-hub.se/10.2523/126945-MS
● McGrath, T. (2010). Equipping Hazard and Risk Awareness Training Course Providers with Web Based
Virtual Reality Risk Perception Measurement Simulation Tests. Retrieved from Sci-hub:
sci-hub.se/10.2118/114958-MS
● Mitra, P. P.-C. (2004). Real Time Geosteering of High Tech Well in Virtual Reality and Prediction Ahead
of Drill Bit for Cost Optimization and Risk Reduction in Mumbai High L-III Reservoir. . Retrieved from
Sci-hub: https://sci-hub.se/10.2118/88531-MS 31