Oil refinery operators using VR headsets in a control room

Level Up Your Skills: How VR Training is Revolutionizing the Oil Industry

Samir D’Costa in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 5 min read.

"Ditch the textbook, grab a headset. Virtual reality is transforming oil and gas training, making it safer, cheaper, and more effective. Find out how."

The oil and gas industry, known for its high-stakes operations and complex processes, has always demanded rigorous training. However, traditional training methods often fall short, struggling to replicate real-world scenarios effectively and safely. The industry has been forced to keep pace with technological innovation in order to remain competitive [1-3]. They have been forced to adapt to the consumer demands, as well as consider the impact on the environment [4,5].

Imagine learning to manage a critical pipeline operation without the risk of explosions or spills. Virtual reality (VR) is rapidly changing this from a far-off concept into a present-day reality, offering immersive, hands-on training experiences that traditional methods simply can't match. VR in the oil and gas sector is primarily used in exploration, operation and maintenance, and training. So that engineers, geologists, scientists, operators, etc., can explore different environments like oilfields [9].

A recent study detailed how a virtual reality solution was developed to mimic the environment and tasks of managing pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) traps—essential components for maintaining pipeline integrity. This innovative approach focuses on enhancing operator training in a safe, controlled, and highly realistic virtual setting. It is important for training programs to be seen as short-term educational processes that are developed in a systemic and organized manner [12].

The Problem with Traditional Oil Industry Training

Oil refinery operators using VR headsets in a control room

Traditional training in the oil industry has several pain points. It's often expensive, requiring significant resources and downtime. It can also be inherently risky, exposing trainees to potentially hazardous environments. Moreover, traditional methods may not fully prepare operators for the complex, real-time decision-making required in the field. Industrial operations require compliance with efficiency, safety and environmentally friendly environments [14].

According to a statistical report, the Transecuatoriano Pipeline System SOTE experienced significant downtime due to both scheduled maintenance and unscheduled incidents. This downtime highlights the critical need for effective and efficient training programs that minimize operational interruptions. With oil transportation operations being continuous, plant maintenance shutdowns have to be scheduled to ensure minimum interruptions in production [15].

Here's why VR training is a game-changer:

Safety First: VR eliminates the risks associated with traditional on-site training.
Cost-Effective: Reduces expenses related to equipment, personnel, and potential accidents.
Immersive Learning: Provides a realistic and engaging training experience that enhances knowledge retention.
Flexible and Scalable: VR modules can be easily updated and deployed to train large numbers of employees across different locations.

By using virtual alternatives for training, companies are allowing their workers to access information, inductions, online courses, and technical certifications using online platforms that interact directly with the previously registered user [17]. While these practices have optimized the way theoretical knowledge is transmitted, they have not been able to develop the practical knowledge that the industry requires.

The Future of Oil Industry Training is Virtual

Virtual reality is not just a futuristic concept; it's a practical solution that addresses the limitations of traditional training methods in the oil industry. As VR technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and immersive training applications that will further enhance safety, efficiency, and performance in this critical sector. In fact, The present simulator in virtual reality becomes the base on which is possible develop several industrial applications in a virtual way, not only with the objective of training staff, but also to be able to recreate the conditions of the plant process with the objective to know the responses of the process to a certain situation.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/978-3-030-03801-4_62, Alternate LINK

Title: Oil Processes Vr Training

Journal: Advances in Visual Computing

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Authors: Víctor H. Andaluz, José L. Amaquiña, Washington X. Quevedo, Jorge Mora-Aguilar, Daniel Castillo-Carrión, Roberto J. Miranda, María G. Pérez

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does virtual reality address the limitations of traditional training methods in the oil and gas industry, particularly regarding safety and cost?

Virtual reality provides a risk-free environment for trainees to learn complex tasks. It eliminates the need for expensive equipment, reduces the risk of accidents, and creates a realistic and immersive learning experience. Traditional methods often expose trainees to hazardous environments and may not fully prepare them for real-time decision-making. The industry has been forced to keep pace with technological innovation in order to remain competitive and adapt to the consumer demands, as well as consider the impact on the environment.

In what specific areas of the oil and gas sector is virtual reality primarily being utilized, and what benefits does it offer to professionals in these roles?

The primary applications of virtual reality in the oil and gas sector include exploration, operation and maintenance, and training. Engineers, geologists, scientists, and operators can use VR to explore different environments like oilfields and practice managing critical pipeline operations without the risk of explosions or spills. The present simulator in virtual reality becomes the base on which is possible develop several industrial applications in a virtual way, not only with the objective of training staff, but also to be able to recreate the conditions of the plant process with the objective to know the responses of the process to a certain situation.

How does virtual reality training contribute to minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency, using examples such as the Transecuatoriano Pipeline System SOTE?

The Transecuatoriano Pipeline System SOTE experienced significant downtime due to scheduled maintenance and unscheduled incidents. This downtime highlights the critical need for effective and efficient training programs to minimize operational interruptions. Virtual reality training aims to reduce such downtime by providing better preparedness for operators. With oil transportation operations being continuous, plant maintenance shutdowns have to be scheduled to ensure minimum interruptions in production. Virtual reality provides a risk-free environment for trainees to learn complex tasks.

Can you elaborate on how virtual reality is used in managing Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) traps and how it enhances operator training for maintaining pipeline integrity?

The development of a virtual reality solution that mimics the environment and tasks of managing Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) traps enhances operator training in a safe, controlled, and highly realistic virtual setting. This is important for ensuring pipeline integrity. It is important for training programs to be seen as short-term educational processes that are developed in a systemic and organized manner, this ensures the integrity of the pipeline system.

What are the advantages of virtual reality training modules in terms of flexibility and scalability, and how does this impact the overall training approach in the oil industry?

Virtual reality modules are flexible and scalable. They can be easily updated and deployed to train large numbers of employees across different locations. While practices have optimized the way theoretical knowledge is transmitted, they have not been able to develop the practical knowledge that the industry requires. Virtual reality is not just a futuristic concept; it's a practical solution that addresses the limitations of traditional training methods in the oil industry.