DSS, VEGA to Develop Subsea Gamma Ray Hydrate Localization Tool

Integrated independent provider of subsea services and solutions Delta SubSea (DSS) signed a development agreement with VEGA Americas Inc. to develop a subsea gamma ray hydrate localization tool known as EUREKA.

The EUREKA will be developed to locate hydrate plug formations. The tool will use a noncontact technology; sensor components will be unaffected by process pressure, temperature or corrosive properties. The system is able to detect minimal differences of density on media in the pipeline. The density difference from gas, oil, wax, asphaltene, hydrates, sand allows the system to localize with precision the location of total or partial blockage, in the pipe. 

Scott Dingman, Delta SubSea President – CEO, said, “This framework agreement reflects Delta SubSea’s strategy to develop cutting edge Tooling Solutions and lead the industry in developing reliable methods of diagnosing flow abnormalities and to assess the integrity of pipelines. Our goal is to be able to provide a tool that is able to detect the issue on pipelines and intervene quickly to reinstate production.” 

The ROV operable, EUREKA, is frame equipped with source holder, detector, electronic canister, buoyancies, rollers and a propulsion system that allows the tool to move along the pipe at variable speeds from 1 to 20 ft / min depending on the content of the pipeline and the nature of the plug. Some benefits of the tool include: no production interruption, no risk of stuck pig, no coating removal, fast measurements, and immediate visualization of the results.