Subsea Sensors for New and Retrofit Applications

28 May 2009 London Evening Meeting

Chairman Alex Hunt, Engineering Technology Manager, BG Group
Sponsored by BG Group

Report by Dr Bob Allwood

Flyer

Overview

Subsea production systems and their associated instrumentation have evolved significantly. Ten years ago most subsea production systems had very little instrumentation, often limited to pressure and temperature sensors, and with communications provided by 'twisted pair' copper cables. Today, a wider range of sensors are available, with communications provided by fibre-optic cables.

Going forward, more complex subsea production systems, using separators and subsea rotating equipment, are being planned. In order to meet targets for reliability and availability, these will require more complex instrumentation. Such technologies are already proven for surface applications, but will require marinisation for subsea deployment.

As part of its Core Technology Programme, BG Group commissioned a group of Cranfield University postgraduate students to review the instrumentation available for replacement, retrofit and subsea applications. The work has been completed as a group project that forms part of their MSc in Offshore and Ocean Technology option in Subsea Engineering. At this evening meeting, the members of the team presented their findings.

Presentations

Subsea Sensors for New and Retrofit Applications

Review Team: Nimi Abili, Rogers Eleonu, Efemena Iyede, Jonathan Postollec, Javier Sanchez, Carlton Shorter and James Watson, Cranfield University

A broad range of sensors have been categorised by the parameters being measured. such as condition, flow, fluid composition, leaks, level and sand. For each of these technology areas, the capabilities of the devices, as well as their reliability, accuracy, protocol and qualified water depth, were presented. Details of their operating principles, installation history to date and any known installations were also included.

Dr Bob Allwood, Course Director and Head of Offshore Technology, Cranfield University

Group and individual projects and reviews offered benefits to both industry and academia. The elements required for successful collaborations were discussed, along with current focus areas.