REOIL: an innovative application for simulating situations that would be risky or costly to recreate in a real refinery

Designed to replicate a refinery as realistically as possible, the REOIL application provides an immersive environment covering 2 km². It also includes a virtual observation tower, a veritable reception hall providing access to various interactive experiences: a guided tour of the plant, a scene dedicated to critical event management (based on a 3D model of a three-storey building with each floor measuring over 50 m²), and a module devoted to facility maintenance. Thanks to a system of interactive bubbles, each building can be explored to discover the activities it houses, the technical data available and the associated procedures. The application also allows complex situations to be simulated: evacuation drills, safety protocols, protective equipment tests… all realistic scenarios that would be risky or costly to recreate in a real refinery.

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Promising prospects

Beyond demonstrating expertise, these projects pave the way for practical applications. Possible prospects include simulating a fishing port with hydrogen transfer, replicating refuelling operations, or recreating a wind farm where wind turbines can be assembled and dismantled virtually, in a completely safe environment. In short, virtual reality is emerging as a powerful tool capable of improving safety, simplifying access to information and transmitting essential knowledge, well before any intervention in the real world.

Watchtower (first scenario): users discover the refinery and become accustomed to virtual reality.

➡️You can find this article in our energy magazine.