How AR Can Revolutionize Safety Training for Oil & Gas Workers in the USA

Why AR Should Be a Game Changer in Oil & Gas Safety

The need for a new approach to safety training

In the oil and gas world, training is everything. But let’s face it—sitting through endless PowerPoint slides or watching videos can only take you so far. Sure, those methods give you the basics, but they can’t prepare you for the heat of the moment, when you need to act quickly and confidently. That’s where AR steps in. By blending digital elements with the physical world, AR offers workers an immersive, hands-on experience, helping them practice real-life scenarios without actually stepping into a dangerous situation.

Anecdote: Picture this: you’re on an offshore oil rig, and suddenly, a fire breaks out. In the past, workers might have trained for this moment by watching a video or participating in a drill that wasn’t quite as intense as the real thing. But with AR, Shell has been testing scenarios where workers practice putting out a fire right on their mobile screens or AR glasses. This kind of virtual practice could make all the difference when the flames are real.

What AR brings to the table

AR isn’t just about fancy tech. It’s about providing workers with a lifelike experience that helps them deal with emergencies faster and more accurately. Think of it like a video game, but instead of saving the virtual world, you’re saving real lives. AR can simulate everything from machinery breakdowns to chemical spills, giving workers the tools they need to react without putting anyone in danger.

Example: Chevron has jumped on the AR bandwagon by equipping field operators with smart glasses that guide them through maintenance procedures. They get step-by-step instructions overlaid on their field of vision, making sure they don’t miss a beat when it comes to safety.

Why AR-Enhanced Safety Training Works So Well

1. It’s as Close to the Real Thing as You Can Get
   AR training gives workers a chance to virtually experience hazardous scenarios—without the risk. Whether it’s simulating a gas leak, a machine malfunction, or an emergency evacuation, AR creates a controlled environment where workers can test their response times and knowledge. The best part? They can do it over and over again until they get it right, without ever putting themselves or anyone else in danger.
   
   Example: At ExxonMobil, workers on offshore rigs practice dealing with equipment failure during storms or extreme weather conditions. Instead of waiting for the “real thing,” they’re getting hands-on, interactive experience that sticks with them when they face similar challenges in real life.

2. It Saves Money (A Lot of It)
   Anyone who’s been through safety training knows how costly it can get—especially if it involves travel, lodging, and renting equipment. But with AR, companies can cut down on these expenses. Training sessions can happen remotely, and you don’t need a physical mock-up of every piece of equipment to make sure workers are getting the right experience.
   
   Example: ConocoPhillips has made AR a part of its standard training for field operators. Instead of flying employees to distant locations for in-person training, they can now access AR training from anywhere, reducing travel costs and the time spent away from the field.

3. It Helps Identify Hazards in Real-Time
   One of the coolest things about AR is its ability to help workers spot hazards in real-time. Imagine inspecting a piece of equipment and seeing warning signs or maintenance tips pop up right in your line of sight. That’s what AR can do—overlay safety alerts, emergency procedures, and operational guidance directly onto the worker’s environment. This helps them make quicker decisions, whether they’re dealing with a potential leak or a pressure gauge reading that’s out of whack.
   
   Example: Halliburton has already rolled out AR technology to help workers identify risks while they inspect heavy machinery. If something’s off, like an over-heating valve or potential gas leak, AR immediately highlights it, allowing workers to take action before things escalate.

4. It Encourages Collaboration—Even From Afar
   Another great thing about AR is how it allows remote experts to assist workers in the field. Imagine you’re at an offshore drilling site, and something goes wrong with the machinery. You can’t just call someone over for help—it’s a remote location. But with AR, you can get guidance from an expert who’s miles away. The expert can see exactly what’s happening through the worker’s AR headset and provide real-time advice, without the need for a costly helicopter ride.
   
   Example: BP has embraced this tech by outfitting offshore rig workers with AR glasses. If something goes wrong, they can connect instantly with an expert back at headquarters, who can guide them through the problem from hundreds of miles away.

How to Get Started with AR-Based Safety Training

Step 1: Understand Your Needs

Before diving into AR, it’s important to assess the specific training needs of your workforce. What are the most dangerous parts of the job? Whether it’s working in high-pressure situations or handling toxic chemicals, AR can simulate those high-risk scenarios and give workers a chance to practice them.

Example: For operations in places like Alaska’s North Slope, where severe weather and equipment failures are common, Arco Alaska uses AR to simulate these conditions. Workers get to rehearse their responses to snowstorms, frozen equipment, and other extreme challenges—without facing the actual dangers.

Step 2: Pick the Right AR Tech

Choosing the right AR technology is critical. Some workers might need a mobile app for quick, everyday training, while others might benefit from more immersive solutions like AR glasses or headsets. It’s also essential that whatever system you choose integrates smoothly with your existing operations and doesn’t add unnecessary complexity.

Step 3: Develop Your AR Training Content

Now comes the fun part: designing the training. AR should be engaging and realistic. Think about real-world situations that could put workers at risk, like an explosion on an oil rig or a fire in a gas storage facility. Then, build training scenarios that replicate those situations as closely as possible.

Example: TotalEnergies uses AR for team-based drills, allowing emergency response teams to practice evacuations together in real-time, just as they would during an actual emergency.

Step 4: Test It Out

Before rolling out AR training across the entire workforce, start with a small group. Get feedback on how they’re using the system, what they’re finding helpful, and where they’re struggling. This feedback is crucial for refining the experience and ensuring it’s as effective as possible.

Step 5: Launch and Continuously Improve

Once you’ve fine-tuned everything, it’s time for the full-scale rollout. But don’t stop there—AR training needs to evolve with the industry. As new risks emerge or equipment gets upgraded, your training program should keep pace. Regularly evaluate how well workers are retaining knowledge and whether the training is improving safety outcomes.

Measuring the Success of AR in Safety Training

1. Fewer Accidents, More Prepared Workers
   The ultimate goal of any safety training program is to reduce incidents. With AR, you should see fewer accidents because workers are better equipped to handle dangerous situations. When they’ve been able to practice responding to emergencies in a virtual environment, they’ll be more likely to react quickly and accurately when it counts.
   
   Example: ConocoPhillips found that after integrating AR into their training program, they saw fewer safety incidents and a quicker response time to emergencies.

2. Better Compliance and Faster Decision-Making
   AR training isn’t just about hands-on experience—it’s about building muscle memory and decision-making skills. When workers have practiced a scenario repeatedly, they’re more likely to make the right choice when the real thing happens, improving compliance and overall safety performance.

3. Engagement and Retention
   The best part about AR training? Workers actually enjoy it. AR is engaging and interactive, making it more likely that employees will stick with the program and remember the safety protocols. Plus, it’s pretty cool to be able to “train” in an environment that feels as close to the real thing as possible.