Alek Kolin, above, demonstrates a virtual reality crane, which captures the ups and downs of the offshore industry.
CRANE COMPANY OFFERS VIRTUAL TRAINING, BUT THE REALITY IS THERE’S LITTLE DEMAND
S UDDENLY, the waves rose higher, the weather turned and the giant machine began wobbling as Farrel Alexander tapped a few keys controlling the offshore crane simulation.
In the hallways of the Offshore Technology Conference on Wednesday, the virtual crane operator compensated for the rough seas as he tried to latch the crane’s hook to a stack of pipes. After several failed attempts — it’s a delicate procedure — it finally worked.
More than 100 people tried their luck on German crane manufacturer Liebherr’s fivescreen simulator at the OTC this week, operating a heavy offshore crane with twin joysticks and a multitude of buttons. It’s probably the biggest workout the simulator has had in a while.
Before the oil bust began in 2014, the manufacturer trained dozens of new crane operators on the simulator at a training center in Miami. But last year, the company trained exactly zero new workers for offshore cranes used at oil and gas platforms and rigs, said Alexander, service manager for offshore cranes at Liebherr.
“Traffic has really slowed down,” he said. “Customers aren’t going into projects yet because of the price of oil.”
Liebherr uses the simulator to train crane operators to become proficient at the controls of big, dangerous equipment. If the driver steers it into the oil platform, for example, things get hairy, quickly. For OTC visitors, it’s a fun ride, and it draws plenty of people into Liebherr’s booth. But it’s not translating
into more business.
Even though oil prices are relatively higher and OPEC has cut crude production, Alexander still hasn’t seen any sign that offshore crane operators need new workers to learn how to maneuver cranes. It’s likely that Liebherr’s clients in the oil industry have laid off all but the most seasoned crane operators, and with few new upcoming projects, there’s little need for training.
It’s yet another sign at the OTC that offshore exploration and project development remain in virtual stasis despite the higher oil prices that have spurred a drilling boom in the United States.
“It hasn’t changed the dynamic,” Alexander said. “It takes some time. Notwithstanding, there’s a lot of optimism. But the levels of requests from customers haven’t followed oil prices.”