Highly Detailed, Web-Based Highly Detailed, Web-Based Process Training for the Mid-Process Training for the Mid-

Stream IndustryStream Industry

Phil RutledgePhil RutledgeWestern Gas Resources, Inc.Western Gas Resources, Inc.

Midland TXMidland TX

Mark RoopMark RoopeSimulation, Inc.eSimulation, Inc.

Houston, TXHouston, TX

DisclaimerDisclaimer

THIS PRESENTATION IS NEITHER INTENDED THIS PRESENTATION IS NEITHER INTENDED AS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE AS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE ESIMULATION PRODUCT, NOR IS IT ESIMULATION PRODUCT, NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL TUTORIAL ON THE USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL TUTORIAL ON THE USE OF THE ESIMULATION PRODUCT. RATHER, THE ESIMULATION PRODUCT. RATHER, THIS PRESENTATION IS INTENDED ONLY THIS PRESENTATION IS INTENDED ONLY TO PROVIDE A PARTIAL SUMMARY OF TO PROVIDE A PARTIAL SUMMARY OF WESTERN GAS RESOURCE’S LIMITED WESTERN GAS RESOURCE’S LIMITED EXPERIENCE WITH THE ESIMULATION EXPERIENCE WITH THE ESIMULATION PRODUCT. YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY VARY.PRODUCT. YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY VARY.

Business IssuesBusiness Issues• Wide variance in operator competency

levels• Risk of inappropriate or inexperienced

operator responses– Safety– Environmental– Production losses– Reduced economic operating efficiency

• Operators retiring – new untrained staff

Mid-Stream Training ChallengeMid-Stream Training Challenge

• Geographically diverse assets

• Small number of operators

• Working shifts

• Limited no. of competent trainers

• Lots of equipment training courses, but not a lot of detailed process training options

RWD TechnologiesRWD Technologies

• Plant specific operator training programs for refining, petrochemical, and chemical industries

• Procedural documentation services

• Generic web-based refinery courses

• Approached eSimulation about building courses for mid-stream

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES

RWD’s Learning Model

Competency

Training Capital(time and resources)

Learning Curve

15-20%

40-50%

70 - 80%

90-100%

30-40%

Equipment SavvyIntuitive Feel forEquipment Operationand Basic Principles

General Qualitative AnalysisAble to Analyze DirectionalChanges on Common Processes

Unit-Specific Quantitative AnalysisSystematic Analysis of Direction, Magnitudeand Response Time of Changes

Experience, Procedural, and Intuitive Based Analysis

Industry average operator competency

Unit-Specific Qualitative AnalysisAble to Analyze DirectionalChanges on Unit-Specific Processes

eSimTrainer Competency Target

Western GasWestern Gas

• Challenged with the delivering process training and refresher training to their operators

• Realized need to train new personnel quickly to backfill for retiring operations staff

• Was very receptive to eSimulation’s and RWD’s web-based approach

Project DescriptionProject Description

• WGR awarded contract for development of eSimTrainer courses– Cryogenic Gas Plant Course– Fractionation Course– Propane Refrigeration Course

• Used one of WGR’s plant as the basis

• Project kickoff – Dec 03

Project Description (cont.)Project Description (cont.)

• Courses delivered – August 04

• Quality issues – Course withdrawn

• Cryo Course - Re-released in Feb 05

• Fractionation and Propane Refrigeration courses - Summer 05

• Courses enhanced based on industry feedback

CoursesCourses• Cryogenic Gas Plant

– Stabilization, amine treating, amine regeneration, dehydration, turbo/expander, demethanizer, residue compression

• Fractionation Course– Depropanizer

• Propane Refrigeration– Stabilization, amine treating, amine regeneration,

dehydration, propane refrigeration loop, compression

• SRU / Amine Treating – in-progress

Modular DesignModular Design

• Orientation

• Overview of gas processing– Different for each course

• Analysis tools training

• Fundamental concepts

• Operations and control

• Troubleshooting

DemonstrationDemonstration

Phil RutledgePhil RutledgeWestern Gas Resources, Inc.Western Gas Resources, Inc.

Deployment StrategyDeployment Strategy

• WGR deploys product in multiple ways– Onsite orientation (make them feel

comfortable) – 1 day– Web-based orientation using Net meeting or

Goto meeting

• Different intervals - Review discussion on course progress

Deployment StrategyDeployment Strategy

• Kept students active and positive and encouraged them to participate

• Put time limit on courses30 – 40 hours for Cryo

11 – 20 hours for Fractionation

11 – 20 hours for Propane Refrigeration

• Started with easier course first to build confidence

Strategic ValueStrategic Value

• Improved operator productivity• Reduced safety and environmental risk

by reducing inappropriate operator responses

• Improved competency to allow operators to consistently achieve operational directives

SummarySummary

• Western Gas has a tool to improve and maintain operator competency

• Western Gas is in the process of a corporate deployment of eSimTrainer across all assets

Any Questions?Any Questions?