Total OLEUM
Total OLEUM revolutionizes operator training with AVEVA Operator Training Simulator
Total wanted to offer its employees realistic virtual learning programs at its industrial process training center in La Mède, France. The challenge was to train operators to handle hazardous incidents that are difficult to reproduce in real conditions, help them optimize complex, dynamic processes and provide remote access during pandemic lockdowns. The energy group deployed six AVEVA Operator Training Simulators based on AVEVA CONNECT, in partnership with Microsoft Azure, to build a fully simulated petrochemical facility identical to the real control room. The results are significant: six dynamic simulators allow training for any type of situation, including hazardous incidents; training programs have been cut from several weeks to a few hours; more than 2,000 operators are now trained safely and sustainably each year; and the agile system can evolve to meet future needs.
Testimonials
FAQ
How does AVEVA Operator Training Simulator train for hazardous situations without real risk?
AVEVA Operator Training Simulator faithfully reproduces the environment of a petrochemical facility, including malfunctions and hazardous incidents that cannot be triggered under real conditions. Total OLEUM uses six dynamic simulators at the La Mède center to expose operators to the full range of scenarios: leaks, overheating, critical alarms. This safe immersion sharpens reflexes, standardizes response procedures and drastically reduces human and material risks during real events at the refinery.
Why was AVEVA CONNECT strategic during pandemic lockdowns?
AVEVA CONNECT, a cloud platform, enabled Total OLEUM to maintain continuity of remote training during lockdowns. Operators access the simulators from anywhere via a web browser, without having to travel to the La Mède center. This digital resilience, made possible by the partnership with Microsoft Azure, shows how a well-executed digital transformation can turn a health constraint into an operational opportunity. It has become a standard in the post-pandemic oil industry.
How can a training program be cut from several weeks to a few hours?
Thanks to AVEVA Operator Training Simulator, Total OLEUM has reduced some training programs from several weeks to a few hours. Concentrated exercises, the ability to replay scenarios instantly and the elimination of logistical downtime (travel, waiting for available equipment) speed up learning. More than 2,000 operators are now trained every year with measurable teaching effectiveness, a major asset in the face of workforce turnover in the oil sector.
What business benefits does a digital replica of a petrochemical control room provide?
The digital replica provided by AVEVA Operator Training Simulator allows Total OLEUM to test procedures, assess skills and qualify operators before they take up their posts. The hidden costs of human error in live operations (unplanned shutdowns, production losses, environmental incidents) are greatly reduced. With an agile system that can evolve to meet future needs and be replicated at other sites in the Total portfolio, it is a foundational investment in process safety.
How does AVEVA support the energy transition in operator training?
AVEVA CONNECT and Operator Training Simulator support Total OLEUM in the ongoing training of its teams as processes evolve with the energy transition (biofuels, CO? capture, hydrogen). The ability to simulate new scenarios and quickly train operators on new configurations is crucial to transforming an existing site. It is a competitive lever for energy companies that must decarbonize their operations without compromising safety or reliability of service.