20
Multimedia Interactive Drilling Assistant Systems (MIDAS)--Knowledge Based Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 9930, College Station, TX 77842-7930; 409-260-5274
Dr. Perakath Benjamin, Principal Investigator
Dr. Richard J. Mayer, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82605
Amount: $749,878
Oil and geothermal drilling operations today are complex, hazardous, and expensive. Therefore, it is imperative to provide robust training and decision support tools to drilling engineers and technicians in order to help mitigate potential problems. This project addresses these needs by developing and deploying a robust knowledge delivery system for training oil and geothermal drilling personnel. Phase I developed a prototype Multimedia Interactive Data Acquisition System Drilling Simulator (MIDAS-DS), an open-architecture, simulation-based training system. Its applicability was demonstrated on an actual industry problem situation, and the results indicated that MIDAS-DS would be a credible approach for industrial applications. Phase II will refine, harden, and scale-up the MIDAS-DS solution architecture, and build two specialized versions of the software that address the focused needs of the drilling industry. The user-centered, development and deployment approach should maximize commercialization opportunities.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The well drilling industry spent nearly $11 Billion in 1997 in drilling related costs. The industry should realize significant cost savings through MIDAS-DS deployment through reduced training costs, improved productivity, and enhanced safety in drilling operations.