Virtual reality to prevent risks in offshore
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Virtual reality to prevent risks in offshore operations
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Publish date:
19 October 2026
Virtual realityis finding practical applications in the offshore industry, especially in operations that require detailed planning and the participation of specialists from different areas. With three-dimensional scenarios created from technical drawings, it is possible to tour facilities, review procedures, and identify potential problems before work begins.
During SLOM 2026, held in Cartagena, Julián Andrés González Moreno, Producer of Malecho, spoke with Inspenet about the development of these platforms and their usefulness in preparing marine and underwater operations without the need to move all participants to the facilities.
How Malecho applies virtual reality to offshore operations
Malecho ‘s work begins with the plans for a facility. From this information, the team builds a three-dimensional environment through which users can move to observe equipment, recognize spaces, and understand how the planned activities will unfold.
González Moreno compared the experience to a 3D video game, where the user freely explores a digital environment. In this case, the environment replicates the characteristics of an industrial facilityand allows for the examination of procedures that will later be carried out in the field.
One of the applications she mentioned during the interview is the What workshops If, sessions in which specialists from different disciplines analyze what could happen during an operation and how to respond to certain situations.
3D simulations to identify risks before operating
In an offshore installation, discovering a problem after work has already begun can lead to delays, additional costs, or hazardous situations for personnel. Therefore, reviewing procedures during the planning phase allows for adjustments to be made while there is still room to modify the operation.
According to González Moreno, simulations help examine activities from different perspectives. A specialist can identify a difficulty related to their area of work, while other participants evaluate how that situation might affect the overall procedure.
The advantage of working on the same digital environment is that everyone can observe the components and their location, even when they have no direct experience in the installation.
For example, an activity that is difficult to interpret using blueprints can be better understood by visualizing the equipment within the workspace. This facilitates technical discussions and allows for checking for potential interferences before moving on to execution.
The goal is for teams to arrive on the field with better-defined procedures and fewer unforeseen situations.
Virtual reality for coordinating underwater operations
The applications also extend to underwater operations, where physical access is limited to authorized personnel with the appropriate training.
González Moreno explained that some installations are located at depths of nearly 30 meters. Although only certain professionals can descend to them, other specialists need to know their characteristics to plan work, evaluate alternatives, or prepare budgets.
With virtual reality, these professionals can explore a representation of the underwater environment and observe the elements involved in the operation. In this way, they participate in technical discussions without having to physically access the site.
The tool also helps resolve communication difficulties in international projects. When companies and professionals from different countries are involved, it’s common to find differences in the names used to identify equipment or components.
González Moreno pointed out that the same element can be referred to by different names depending on the participants’ backgrounds. Having a shared visual representation makes it easier to recognize exactly which component is being discussed and avoids confusion during the planning process.
This possibility is especially useful in operations where several disciplines must work on the same facility and coordinate their decisions.
Virtual platforms designed according to each project
Malecho develops its scenarios according to the needs of each client. Requests can be received through consultants, diving supervisors, or companies responsible for contracting the work.
Each project begins with technical information about the facility and the activities that need to be depicted. Using this data, the audiovisual team builds an environment tailored to the conditions and objectives of the operation.
Thus, one simulation may focus on reviewing a specific procedure, while another is used to allow different specialists to become familiar with a facility before participating in its planning.
During the interview at SLOM 2026, González Moreno made it clear that these platforms aim to facilitate the work of those who must make decisions about complex operations. Their application allows professionals with different responsibilities to come together around a common scenario, review planned activities, and resolve doubts before starting fieldwork.
For more content aboutSLOM 2026, visit ourLinkedIn profile.
