Earlier this month, 3t, an organisation specialising in safety-critical training for hazardous industries, announced a new collaboration with Aberdeen-based Robert Gordon University (RGU) to establish a Geothermal Simulation and Modelling Platform.
The initiative will adapt and enhance RGU’s DrillSIM:500 simulator to support mid and deep single geothermal wells, bringing a new level of realism and training capability to geothermal drilling simulation.
Underpinned by 3t’s Drilling Systems simulation technology, the platform has been designed to accelerate innovation, drive down costs, and build a skilled workforce to meet environmental goals.
Clive Battisby, Senior Vice President for 3t’s Technologies service line, said, “By adapting our cutting-edge simulation technology for geothermal applications, we’re not only expanding its potential but also helping to unlock a cleaner, more sustainable energy future […] This isn’t just a technological upgrade, it is a strategic leap. By adapting our world-leading simulation technology for geothermal, we’re unlocking new potential for clean energy and positioning 3t at the heart of the global energy transition.”
The platform will provide realistic geothermal drilling scenarios in a safe, controlled environment, with the potential to reduce the cost of geothermal wells by up to 50%. Not only will this make clean solutions more accessible and commercially viable, but also open opportunities for the repurposing of North Sea oil and gas infrastructure.
Additionally, the platform will serve as a training hub for both students and professionals to aid in upskilling the next generation of energy talent to lead the UK’s clean energy transition.
Phil Hassard, a member of the RGU’s Energy Transition Institute, commented, “This partnership exemplifies what’s possible when academia and industry collaborate. With 3t’s cutting-edge drilling simulation technology and RGU’s research excellence, we’re unlocking the future of clean and scalable geothermal energy.”
This initiative marks a bold expansion for 3t, paving way into the renewables space and positioning itself at the forefront of geothermal innovation through the collaboration of industry and academia.