Using Subsea Technology to Drive Down Costs

WFS Technologies, Focus Subsea and Aquip Systems will demonstrate the Seatooth wirelessly enabled products at iTech’s test tank facilities in Wangara, Western Australia, on May 18 and 19, 2016. These control and monitoring systems can increase subsea production and strengthen field economics for operators by improving asset integrity management and flow assurance. The presentation will focus on three main cost-saving solutions: Seatooth PipeLogger, Seatooth Wireless Networks and Seatooth Inclinometer.

The Seatooth PipeLogger can be used to measure the internal temperature, corrosion, flow, leaks and vibration of subsea pipelines without the need to physically penetrate the pipe wall. The system can be easily installed or retrofit, even on pipelines incorporating up to 50mm of thermal insulation. Based on wireless technology, the logger can store 400,000 time stamped readings. This data can then be automatically harvested by simply flying a low cost remotely operated vehicle within 5-10m of the sensor.

Major cost savings can be accrued by not having to use subsea jumpers or buried cables. The Seatooth PipeLogger can be used to carry out a variety of applications such as monitoring internal corrosion, leak detection and flow assurance. It can also log temperature variations within pipeline runs.

The data produced by asset integrity sensors can be distributed across an underwater network using Seatooth S400 modems. Seatooth wireless subsea networks support data transmission between subsea nodes spaced up to 35m apart and communicate wirelessly through the splash zone. Subsea wireless networks are substantially less expensive to install on offshore structures than conventional cabling. The open architecture allows new sensors to be added, removing the cost of installing cabling for each new sensor. 

Subsea construction typically requires equipment to be installed level or in the case of piles etc, to pass through the seabed vertically. Any change in tilt angle throughout the installation phase as this may lead to strain or vibration. A traditional way of recording angular change is through a two-dimensional ‘bullseye’ level. This requires a camera to get a clear view of the target face, something not always possible in the sediment-charged waters surrounding subsea operations. WFS’ wireless inclinometer, however, can measure small changes of tilt and log this over time.

WFS will demonstrate these pieces of equipment in iTech 7’s test facilities in Perth, to showcase the advantages of using wireless equipment over systems with cables and connectors. Each of the Seatooth PipeLogger systems demonstrated will be integrated with Seatooth Ensure, WFS’s proprietary battery management system technology which enables the battery life of deployed subsea assets to be extended to up to 15 years.