BP has awarded Kongsberg Digital a contract to design, engineer, build, install, and perform acceptance testing of a custom-built multi-purpose dynamic simulator (MPDS) for the Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the Gulf of Mexico.

Kongsberg’s digital twin models will be connected to the Mad Dog 2 facility-integrated control and safety systems to create a realistic simulation environment that will deliver vital decision support for optimizing production efficiency. Applications of the simulator will include engineering studies, validation of process design, procedure validation, control system verification, and operator training.

The simulator will be built with Kongsberg’s dynamic process modeling software, K-Spice, and transient multiphase flow software, LedaFlow. The simulator model will encompass all of Mad Dog 2’s oil and gas and subsea systems, including all producing wells for water and gas injection, gas dehydration and regeneration, flare systems including systems for flare gas recovery, fuel gas, produced water and seawater, heating and cooling medium, and identified critical chemical injection systems.

The fully built and functional simulator is scheduled for delivery at least one year before first oil. This will allow ample time to train the operators and ensure competency in a facility operations context. It will also contribute to safe commissioning and start-up.

Kongsberg Digital has previously provided, and continues to maintain and support, multi-purpose dynamic simulators for other BP platforms in the Gulf of Mexico including Mad Dog, Atlantis, Na Kika, and Thunder Horse.