The second largest oil and gas producer in Argentina, Pan American Energy (PAE), has introduced new training systems across its drilling operations to increase safety process standards and improve efficiencies, thanks to Drilling Systems.
Drilling Systems, a leader in drilling simulator competency, was approached by PAE to help it improve the competency and efficiency of its rig personnel in Argentina. PAE already uses Drilling Systems’ advanced drilling simulator DrillSIM 500 to train its employees in International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) qualifications with realistic drilling and workover scenarios in a safe and controlled environment.
As well as ensuring personnel were trained to deal with unexpected incidents outside of normal operations, PAE wanted to ensure the robust and rapid transfer of skills to its younger, less experienced employees and standardise the same model among drilling crews.
Drilling Systems carried out extensive analysis of Pan American’s drilling operations including an assessment of its existing training infrastructure and field evaluations of critical rig personnel. As a result, it developed a number of customised courses and competency assessment programmes for PAE in line with the highest international standards.
These include accelerated development programmes for staff, tailor-made training courses for critical rig personnel and a staged competency assessment programme, including on-the-job training mapped against the highest international standards. These programmes will be delivered utilising the Drilling Systems’ DrillSIM 600 simulator, a single chair advanced cyber-based drilling and well control simulator, incorporating realistic integrated rig control, anti-collision and zone management systems.
Oscar Alvarez, quality operations executive manager at Pan American Energy, said: “Following the guidelines developed for us by the Drilling Systems Integrated Advisory team, we have implemented competence-based training and assessment programmes across our rapid rigs division to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and support the continuous development of our rapid rig personnel. These new programmes will help cement our position as leader in the drilling industry across Argentina and South America.”
Graeme Eglintine, vice president of MENA and Integrated Advisory Services at Drilling Systems, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by PAE as its partner in this important, game-changing project to raise drilling safety and performance standards across South America. From the very start of our discussions, it was clear PAE had a strong vision and desire to develop its Argentinian national workforce to a high international standard.”
“The new training, development and competence programmes we designed and implemented for PAE ensure the company has effective, practical and robust systems in place to develop highly competent and efficient operators. This will drive performance improvements and help PAE achieve operational excellence.”
