Industry Digital Training Alliance Gathers Pace as More Operators Join

A new collaboration that increases access to digital well integrity training is gaining momentum after two energy companies today, Wednesday 7 July, announced they are joining the initiative.

TotalEnergies and TAQA have added their weight to the collaboration that was announced in January this year by operators Spirit Energy and Neptune Energy, and oil and gas e-learning firm Norwell EDGE. Together they are developing a standardised digital well integrity training programme, based on OGUK’s well lifecycle integrity guidelines. 

It is anticipated that several more energy companies may join the initiative over the next 12 months and share the training programme with their workforces.

Stuart Connon, Head of Well Integrity, at TotalEnergies E&P UK said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with our industry partners, harnessing the collective knowledge and experience across multiple organisations, to deliver standardised well integrity training. At TotalEnergies we are committed to continuous improvement across our activities and being part of this collaboration provides us easy access to consistent and high-quality material to ensure we can do just that. This ensures we cascade good industry practices and lessons learned throughout our workforce and it also forms part of our approach to maintaining control of our major risks.”

The well integrity e-learning programme will harness the latest digital training techniques and blend a variety of teaching methods including micro-learning, animation, video, quizzes, and 3D virtual game scenarios. This multi-layered approach to training may significantly boost user engagement and knowledge retention when compared with traditional methods. 

Gavin Mundie, Well Integrity Lead, at TAQA commented: “We are proud to be a part of this expanding industry initiative and look forward to playing a pivotal role in creating a standardised well integrity programme which in time will no doubt help to enhance safety standards across Operators. We recognise the myriad of benefits online training holds to us as a business and fully grasp that our teams are able to learn most effectively through digital platforms.”

The digitisation of the programme allows operators to ensure personnel can easily access consistently high quality well integrity training - no matter where they are in the world, regardless of whether they are working from home or their workplace and at a time that fits around other work demands. 

Mike Adams, co-founder of Norwell EDGE said: “The energy industry welcomes opportunities to improve and innovate, especially in areas such as safety and commitment to standards so it’s hugely encouraging to see these companies turning to a digital solution for their well integrity training needs. Each company brings a different perspective and experience and by working together we can build a purpose-driven digital course.

“Spirit Energy and Neptune Energy were among the first to embrace the benefits of an online solution and we’re delighted to welcome TotalEnergies and TAQA to the project.”

The development of the well integrity programme is being delivered across three phases, the first an introductory series of three modules giving personnel an introduction to wells from the ground up. 

The second phase includes seven detailed well integrity modules designed to boost overall awareness and give a solid foundation in the key well integrity principles. And the third phase will allow operators to request company-specific requirements around their own well integrity management systems. 

The well integrity training programme will allow operators to build up a database of personnel who have completed the training that can then be integrated with HR systems. 

Courses can sit on the central Norwell EDGE training platform or be held by each company. 

The idea for a digital wells integrity training programme was first discussed by members of OGUK’s well integrity working group. 

Katy Heidenreich, Supply Chain & Operations Director at OGUK added: “Facilitating industry collaboration is central to our activity. This innovative project began as an initial discussion within our well integrity workgroup and it’s fantastic to see so many of our members throwing their weight behind it. The digitisation of our industry is key to ensuring our workforce has the highest competencies both now and, in the future, and we look forward to seeing members benefit from this collaboration.”

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE.