BP – building confidence through immersive simulation

“They’re building the muscle memory to handle these emergencies.”

Situation

BP faced a critical challenge: ensuring drilling operators and their crews were prepared to handle high-risk, complex situations offshore.

• Safety culture under pressure – The oil and gas environment presents constant risks, where even small errors can escalate into major incidents.

• Operational complexity – Crews must react quickly and effectively to rare but high-impact events such as well control issues, equipment malfunctions, and emergency scenarios.

• Limitations of traditional training – Classroom instruction and procedural reviews alone could not replicate the stress, pace, and unpredictability of real operations. Without experiential practice, operators risked being underprepared for emergencies.

Without a more effective training approach, the risks were clear: compromised safety, potential downtime, and greater exposure of people and assets to harm.

Solution

BP partnered with Maersk Training to design and deliver a new level of training realism through the Immersive Simulation Environment (ISE).

• Tailored, high-fidelity simulation – Using advanced drilling simulators, Maersk Training recreated BP’s operational environments, equipment, and emergency scenarios.

• Learning by doing – Crews experienced realistic, high-pressure situations in a controlled environment, enabling them to practice responses, test decision-making, and build teamwork.

• Collaborative development – Maersk Training worked hand-in-hand with BP to align scenarios with operational priorities, regulatory requirements, and company safety standards.

• Focus on operational excellence – Beyond emergency response, the training fostered effective communication, collaboration, and confidence across operational crews.

The result was a training experience that bridged theory and practice, allowing personnel to “train as they operate.”

Impact

The ISE training has proven highly effective in strengthening BP’s safety culture and operational readiness.

• Improved safety culture – Operators developed “muscle memory” for high-risk scenarios, reducing hesitation and errors during real events.

• Risk reduction – By practicing responses to complex challenges, crews lowered the likelihood of incidents impacting people or assets.

• Enhanced operational excellence – Teamwork, collaboration, and communication improved across crews, leading to smoother, more efficient operations.

• Lasting capability – The immersive approach built confidence and resilience in crews, preparing them for the toughest operational challenges.

🎥 Watch: BP Safety – immersive training experience