Developments in Acoustic Subsea Control and Monitoring for the Drilling Industry Lindsay MacDonald Director of Technology

Developments in Acoustic Subsea Control and Monitoring for the Drilling Industry

Lindsay MacDonaldDirector of Technology

NAUTRONIXMARINE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS www.nautronix.com

Presentation Overview

• Advances in Acoustic Technology

- Signalling

- Hardware

• Applications of Digital Acoustics

- Current

- Emerging

- Future

• System Performance and Field Data

• Summary


Industry Perceptions

• Hydro-acoustic Systems:

• NOT Reliable

• NOT Secure

• SHORT Range communications

• NOT for Critical Systems– Drilling– Production– Intervention

• NOT a System Solution

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http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=capping+stack+images&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=bdve4Qwl--pF9M&tbnid=jbOvRxL-FjEnOM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2011/05/high-pressure_deepwater_well_c.html&ei=NuYJUtn0Ioqd0QWUn4HoCQ&bvm=bv.50500085,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNHrLemRKPXKR996FT_NbNdGnk3a1Q&ust=1376466863256200


Advances in Acoustic Technology: Signalling

Basic Tonal Systems (Analogue)- Limited processing power required- Susceptible to noise and multipath

Digital Techniques (FSK, CHIRP)- Greater processing power required- Better performance & accuracy

Advanced Digital Techniques (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)- Even more processing power required- Considerable improvement in

performance & accuracy- Nautronix variant known as Acoustic

Digital Spread Spectrum (ADS2)

TonalPulse Signal

Carrier

CHIRP Pulse Signal

Spread Spectrum Signal



• Carrier Frequency is modulated with a pseudo random noise sequence

• Modulation employs a combination of techniques

• More data is transmitted than traditional signalling techniques

• Spreading code – send 10101011 / 11100010 instead of 1 / 0

• Match received signal with the two possible sequences to find the best match

Data SignalCarrier (e.g. 10 kHz sine wave)

Pseudo-randomNoise

Spread Spectrum Signal



Spreading code phonetic analogy:

• NATO phonetic alphabet

– ‘Bravo’ instead of ‘B’, ‘Foxtrot’ instead of ‘F’– Symbols chosen to ‘sound maximally different’– High noise tolerance from inherent error correction– Human ‘receiver’ trained to listen for one of 26 words– ‘foxtrot’ is only likely correlation for ‘oxtro’– Can operate successfully with signal buried in noise

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ADS2 Signalling Techniques ADS2 Benefits Over Traditional Signalling Techniques

• Quadrature modulation/correlation

• Unique M-sequence spreading codes for signal integrity

• Matched filter output energy is concentrated in a interval much smaller than pulse duration (pulse compression)

• Low frequency (centred around 10 kHz) enables maximum range to be achieved

• Payload data rates are kept low, as majority of data rate is used to ensure integrity.

• Improved Accuracy for positioning systems

• Improved robustness of telemetry for control and monitoring

• Ideal for both shallow and deep water applications

• Highly robust in multipath environments

• Reduced interference

• Improved range capability


Advances in Acoustic Technology: Hardware

• ADS2 provides a reliable and robust through water signalling capability. To apply this to critical applications requires significantly robust system hardware

General Changes to Traditional Acoustic Hardware

Statuary and Standards Requirements

• Corrosion resistant housings

• Testable dual O-Rings on all housing seals & cable connections (API16D)

• PBOF cable between all subsea components (API17E)

• Dual redundant components, throughout the acoustic system (surface and subsea)

• Each subsea acoustic device has a unique ID

• NORSOK, D-001 Drilling Facilities

• Petrobras, Drilling Rig Unities GTD

• API16D and 17E Specification for Control

• Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment

• RP53 (S53) Standard for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells, Digital acoustics are being stated as a backup option

• Type testing approval of systems


Advances in Acoustic Technology: Hardware

• Critical acoustic systems have evolved from a basic construction, with various single point failures, to robust dual redundant hardware designed to meet the demands of the most challenging applications:


Current Applications of Digital Acoustics

Robust ADS2 signalling and hardware currently in use for positioning, control and monitoring


Current Applications of Digital AcousticsIndustry Need Primary method of positioning

Vessels/ROVs/Risers/Subsea Assets

Application Shown Positioning of ROV

Acoustic Solution Broadcast Long Base Line

Technology Advantages • Long Range• High Accuracy• Multiuser• High Signal Integrity• High Position Update Rate (1Hz)• Positioning capability throughout the entire water

column

Technology Acceptance Acoustics has been used for many years as the standard method of positioning vessels, vehicles and equipment underwater

Other widely used acoustic configurations include Long Base Line (LBL), Short Base Line (SBL) and Ultra Short Base Line (USBL)

The exact configuration required is dependant on accuracy and redundancy requirements

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://img.nauticexpo.com/images_ne/press/press-g/heavy-duty-work-class-rov-triton-xlx-P191375.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.nauticexpo.com/press/perry-slingby-systems/heavy-duty-work-class-rov-triton-xlx-25490-191375.html&usg=___qA0Fg7IB_bvMKOFSsrYv0EdT_Y=&h=270&w=300&sz=28&hl=en&start=33&um=1&tbnid=vqCtTolhYOn7ZM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=116&prev=/images?q=XLX&ndsp=21&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&start=21&um=1


Current Applications of Digital Acoustics Industry Need Secondary control of BOP Emergency Functions in

conjunction with standard MUX

Application Shown

• Secondary Communications to AVP• To perform ‘Close’ functions and EDS• Sensor integration i.e. Accumulator pressure

Technology Advantages

• Enables alternative/backup BOP control method• Enables remote BOP control • Long Range• High Signal Integrity

Technology Acceptance

Widely used as emergency/secondary BOP control:

Rowan Companies – HHI 2559, 2560, 2563

Noble Drilling – HHI 2505, 2506, 2507, 2508

Ensco – ENSCO 7500, 8504, 8506

Odfjell Drilling – Deepsea Metro I and II

Diamond Offshore – Ocean Clipper, Brazil

* The above examples all utilise the Nautronix

NASBOP/NASeBOP system – other BOP control

solutions are available


Current Applications of Digital AcousticsIndustry Need Primary or Secondary Control of a ESG Device

Application Shown • Primary or Secondary Communications to ESG• To perform ‘Close’ functions and EDS• Sensor Integration i.e. Accumulator Pressure


• Provides primary control of an Environmental Safe Guard Device (ESG)

• No requirement for a control umbilical• Enables control from multiple locations via integrated

and portable control equipment• Long Range• High Signal Integrity


Applied to various drilling operations:

Murphy – Azurite FDPSO, Congo (Primary System)

Shell – Stena Tay, Brazil and Egypt (Primary System)

Ophir – Deep Venture, West Africa

* The above examples all utilise the Nautronix

NASBOP/NASeBOP system – other BOP control

solutions are available


System Performance and Field Data of Digital Acoustics

Robust ADS2 signalling and hardware systems now being supplied to industry


NASeBOP Performance During Use (Brazil)

• Operated successfully in Brazil in 2,926 msw (9,600 feet)

• Downlink Source Level 182 dB

• Uplink Source Level 187 dB

• Operated with existing Kongsberg HiPAP 500 (at 203 dB, i.e. 40 times louder than the NASBOP uplink and 128 times louder than the NASBOP downlink) without compatibility or interference issues

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NASBOP Acoustic Analyses During Drilling

• The following slides show analyses data recorded during drilling of four wells by one of the platforms on the previous slide

• Wells 1, 2 and 3 were drilled using both acoustic and auxiliary modem (umbilical)

• For well 4, the customer opted to run using acoustic primary communications only, without deploying the umbilical for auxiliary modem

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NASBOP Analyses of Wells A, B, C & D TRANSMISSIONS USING NAUTRONIX ACOUSTIC NASBOP SYSTEM

WellDepth

(metres)Duration

(days)

Transmissions (%) Total Transmissions

Overall SuccessAcoustic

Rx OKRetry

1Retry

2Retry

3Retry

4Failed

A 1,434 7 97.5 2.06 0.21 0.16 0 0.05 1,895 99.93%

B 1,691 10 98 1.8 0.1 0.03 0.06 0 3,134 100%

C 1,715 13 94.28 2.74 0.64 0.46 0.21 1.66 3,902 98.33%

D 1,545 5 96.12 2.38 0.13 0.16 0.16 1.04 3,070 98.95%

TRANSMISSIONS USING CUSTOMER PROVIDED UMBILICAL (Hard Wired) SYSTEM

WellDepth

(metres)Duration

(days)

Transmissions (%)Total

TransmissionsOverall Success

Modem Rx OK

Retry 1

Retry 2

Retry 3

Retry 4

Failed

A 1,434 7 95.7 4.27 0.02 0.02 0 0 12,931 100%

B 1,691 10 96.56 3.42 0 0.02 0 0 20,702 100%

C 1,715 13 96.74 3.23 0.02 0.01 0 0.01 25,133 99.99%

D The hard wired modem could not used during this well (umbilical failure) 0%17


NASBOP Analyses of Wells A, B, C & D

• During the 4 well campaign the Acoustic System had an average

success rate of 99.3% over 12,001 transmissions

• During the 3 of 4 well campaign the “Hard Wired System” had an

average success rate of 100% over 58,766 transmissions

• During the 4th well the umbilical failed

• The customer opted to continue with the fourth well following an

umbilical failure (Acoustics as the primary / only available system)

• Proof acoustic systems offer a reliable back-up to standard MUX

cables.18


Emerging/Future Applications of Digital Acoustics

Robust ADS2 signalling and hardware systems now being supplied to industry


Emerging Applications of Digital Acoustics

Industry Need Primary Control of a Capping Stack

Application Shown • Open and Close Functions• Multiple sensor integration, i.e. Pressure

and Temperature


• Provides primary control of a Capping Stack

• No requirement for a control umbilical• Enables control from multiple locations

via portable control equipment• Long Range• High Signal Integrity


Being specified for various capping stack

solutions – installed acoustic systems on

capping stacks likely in the next 12

months.


Future Applications of Digital Acoustics

Industry Need Primary control of complete BOP

Application Shown • NASMUX – Acoustic Primary Control of BOP• 128 Functions and digital status signals• 60 analogue readings• Augment the traditional control umbilical• Retain the existing surface and subsea units

– purely provide a surface to subsea link


• Elimination of downtime caused by umbilical damage

• In an emergency situation, backup is pre-installed

• Reduction of umbilical's and reels (cost & handling)

• Reduction in deck space requirement• Redundant control and monitoring path to

BOP


Development will follow DNV-RP-A203,

Qualification of New Technology

Stand alone systems will continue to increase in capability…


Industry CollaborationSWiG: Technology Providers, Service Companies and Operators Working Together


Industry Working Group - SWiG

Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG)

• Covers underwater wireless technologies (Acoustics, Radio & Free Space Optics)

• To raise industry awareness and acceptance of through water communications• Encourage the integration of through water communication technologies• Promote best practices across industry• Promote knowledge transfer across industry• http://www.subseawirelessgroup.com/

http://www.subseawirelessgroup.com/


Summary

• Continued development of acoustic systems has dramatically improved the performance and reliability – both in terms of the signalling and available hardware

• Acoustic systems are proven and relied upon for critical applications

• Advanced digital acoustic systems offer a real alternative/supporting technology to standard MUX cables.

• The development of robust acoustic networks will open new possibilities for wireless control, monitoring and positioning systems

• Industry collaborating through working groups, to develop, prove and promote wireless solutions for now and the future

Thank you for your timeQuestions?

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Documents

Developments in Acoustic Subsea Control and Monitoring for the Drilling Industry Lindsay MacDonald Director of Technology