Objective
The aim of the project is to demonstrate that it is possible to obtain reliable communication at increased data rates over distances up to 100 km for a subsea hydrocarbon production system utilising standard installation and commissioning procedures.
The application of a fibre optic communication systems architecture using fully qualified subsea mateable/demateable connectors will result in this critical enabling technology, necessary for the marinisation of intelligent instrumentation and control equipment, being confirmed as an available solution to the problem of enhanced production.
By design, the inherent high noise immunity of optical communication systems will facilitate the use of high power electrical machinery (pumps, compressors, actuators) for subsea applications. This will lead to enhanced production from existing fields and the development of new fields at greater distances from the host platform, and at greater depths.
Results for both the performance of the optical modem and the wet mateable hybrid connector are satisfactory, and in compliance with the specifications set out at the commencement of this project.
The current method of communication for subsea hydrocarbon production systems utilises electrical signals transmitted over copper wires. The sensitivity of this system to Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and line impedance limits both the separation distance over which reliable data transmission can be achieved, and the rate of information transfer.
The proposed system will be designed to operate over distances up to 100 km and will offer a greatly increased bandwidth.
The system uses a fibre optic conductor, with a laser generated optical pulse as the information carrier. At each end of the transmission path there will be an optical modem containing enhanced reliability diode laser and pinfet receiver modules.
To further improve the system reliability a dual redundant optical path is proposed.
At the subsea end of the communication path the modem will be housed in a hermetically sealed dry nitrogen filled subsea electronics module (SEM), containing all the electronic circuitrynecessary for a typical single well control system. This module will in turn be housed in an oil filled enclosure at seabed pressure, together with any necessary hydraulic components.
At the surface end of the link the modem will be contained within a master control station (MCS), providing the operator and platform computer, interface with the subsea control system.
The connections from the umbilical to the SEM will be via a range of fibre optic penetrators and subsea mateable/demateable fibre optic connectors which will be tested and fully qualified for subsea application. The innovative aspect of the project originates from the proposals to use wet mateable connectors and penetrators and the use of a standard laser diode of simplified design and enhanced reliability to reduce the costs inherent in the use of subsea telecommunication grade lasers, thereby reducing the overall systems cost and maximising reliability both for installation and in service.
The subsea optical communications system will have a design life of 20 years.
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Programme(s)
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Coordinator
W14 8YW London
United Kingdom
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