Enhanced Augmented/Mixed Reality and Process Safety Applications

Abstract

Effective management of process safety risks while delivering flawless operational execution in an evolving oil and gas industry requires innovative applications of digital technology. Augmented Reality (AR) or Mixed Reality (MR) technologies have tremendous potential to meet these challenges by providing realworld digital landscape to intuitively interact with data, train personnel, and mitigate process safety risks. However, a major challenge with AR and MR technologies is the limited processing power and capability of available hardware. A cloud-based software platform can overcome these computational limitations of AR and MR devices, enabling interaction with significantly more complex 3D content. Additionally, enabling real-time connectivity across different hardware architectures – such as smartphones and Microsoft HoloLens devices – creating powerful new capability for remote collaboration. This unique software platform transforms consumer-grade AR and MR devices into powerful industrial tools for oil and gas applications. This paper will illustrate the application of AR/MR technology in critical risk management including the adoption of AR/MR technology for process safety operational readiness and response capability to critical risk associated with major accident hazards. Enhanced AR/MR provides full-scale virtual digital landscapes that enable practical demonstration of crew resource management including the evaluation of collaborative human performance in teamwork activities. Using gamified AR/MR techniques, allows for multiple outcomes based on user inputs to test decision-making and eliminate human errors. These enabling technologies can drive significant improvements in process safety risk management while increasing operational efficiencies across the oil and gas industry.