CNR adopts Pisys simulator for FPSO operator training at Baobab field offshore Ivory Coast

Oil and gas producer Canadian Natural Resources (TSX: CNQ, NYSE: CNQ) has selected the Pisys simulator for the training of process operators at the Baobab Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit, located off the Ivory Coast, Pisys said in a press statement on December 15.

The Baobab Ivoirien FPSO operates at depths ranging from 900 to 1,700 metres in the deepwater Baobab oilfield. The field relies on an intricate network of subsea trees and manifolds connected to the FPSO for liquid separation and oil storage.

Pisys, a Scottish software company, specialises in HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment and Quality) management systems for industries, including the energy sector. According to the company, its major emergency and incident response and control room training simulator is the most widely used in the world.

“Pisys simulator allows the operational team to have exposure to an accurate representation of our operational system; without the need for expensive hardware and travel,” Paul Hunter, Systems and Controls Technical Authority at CNR commented.

“The support from Pisys is very good and the system itself can be modified as the actual subsea system develops and changes. The Fidelity [degree of realism and accuracy] of the system will also get better with use and as we build new operational scenarios into it, such as ‘Black start models’ - it's been game-changing for our team,” he added.

The Pisys simulator is expected to cut costs and improve efficiency by allowing training to be carried out remotely. This supports CNR’s local content objectives by giving local staff access to cloud-based training, removing the need for expensive travel to the FPSO.

Pisys worked closely with CNR’s process engineers to replicate the same graphic user interfaces (GUIs) used on the live system, creating a realistic and interactive training environment. A detailed process flow model was also developed so users can see data change exactly as it would on the real system.

The simulator is expected to boost the confidence of new team members, enabling them to train from anywhere in the world and take part in the same real-time scenarios.

The Canadian producer’s decision to select the Pisys simulator for training purposes highlights the company's commitment to operational excellence and safety in managing the complex subsea development of the Baobab field, Pisys said in the statement.