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Focus ICT per l’impiantistica INFORMAZIONE PUBBLICITARIA

dition, the program used a dozen of TOTAL’s generic for industry,” said Rémy. “We wanted to make use of
simulators, which focused on refining units and were the new solutions provided by the digital revolution.
installed in 10 of its European facilities. As we all know, major O&G companies must innovate
and adapt themselves to new conditions for sustain-
Problems with the old program able growth.”
As with aging equipment, earlier-version simulation The mission for the digital team at the La Méde
programs and models quickly become outdated with OLEUM center is to train everyone, everywhere fast-
the introduction of innovative technologies or up- er, reducing time to market for training projects with
grades. TOTAL encountered difficulties in maintaining new technologies. Using TOTAL’s specific OTS mod-
the older simulators at the individual sites. The older els layered on a cloud-based platform using Microsoft
generic simulators did not match the sophistication of Azure, the company is empowered to provide consis-
current operating models. This platform lacked flexi- tent training at all company sites. The new OLEUM
bility in scheduling classes and limited the number of is designed as a high-tech, high-touch environment.
trainees per class. One major flaw was the lack of a
central file system that was not integrated with the Planning the future
simulator. Document verification of completion and To create a state-of-the-art training program, TOTAL
competency of the trainee were not possible. partnered with leading engineering and technology
companies to map out the cloud-based OTS plat-
1,2
Digital workforce, knowledge capture and crew form. TOTAL, as with all major O&G and HPI com-
change panies, needed to control costs for the new system.
TOTAL recognized that its training program and strat- However, more importantly, the new program had to
egies needed upgrading, if not reinvention. The new produce highly-trained operators who could ensure
program had to address upgrading process/equip- the safe operation and performance of all facilities.
ment technologies, a retiring workforce, knowledge This program would be an inclusive solution and meet
retention and onboarding of new operators. These the needs of a diverse workforce. Likewise, the pro-
issues affected the safe operation of the company’s gram would address knowledge retention and cap-
assets. ture of best practices from more experienced staff.
“TOTAL is always looking for improvement of safety,
operational excellence, availability of assets, ROI and Long-term application
competitiveness of our industrial sites,” said Stéphane In planning the new OTS system, longevity and sus-
Rémy, Vice President, TOTAL Learning Solutions. tainability of the software and hardware were para-
“Regarding these priorities, we have a clear vision that mount, as was open access to trainees. Working with
training is one of the keys to achieve these goals.” their partners, TOTAL’s OTS is cloud-based. Moving
2,3
TOTAL decided to convert the La Méde refinery from the OTS to the cloud enables the company to train
crude oil to renewable feedstocks and to produce operators at OLEUM La Méde, as well as at remote
“green” fuel products. This global project provided in facilities. The next-generation OTS includes dynam-
the platform was also the opportunity to create a sec- ic, high-fidelity simulation modeling. With dynamic
ond OLEUM training center. From the main roadmap simulation models, a digital twin of the plant—with
of this new training center, a dedicated team for pro- complete control systems—mirrors actual site oper-
viding digital training solutions was created. Among ations. Real-time information, with accurate control
4
these digital projects would be the design of a cloud- graphics, enable trainees to run exercises and dif-
based OTS platform. It would increase the capability ferent scenarios in a safe environment. The trainees
to deliver training through sustainable, efficient and practice responses to varying plant conditions and
effective models. witness the consequences from their actions without
“OLEUM is foreseen as an innovative learning solution impacting the actual facility (FIG. 2).

66 66 Impiantistica Italiana - Marzo-Aprile 2020