Optimising Integrity and Flow Assurance Through the Use of

DEEPSEAMONITORING SOLUTIONS

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Optimising Integrity and Flow Assurance Through the Use of

Intelligent Infrastructure

Ian WalkerDirector - Deepsea Monitoring Solutions


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Traditional Approach to Monitoring of Subsea Umbilicals, Risers & Flowlines

� None!!

� Instead:

� Engineering possibly over-conservative based on established models � but not calibrated

� Creates higher CapEx� Generates inefficiencies � start up, downtime due to

routine maintenance� Operational Risks � premature failure


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SMONITORING OF:

Flexible risersSCR�sRiser towersUmbilicalsMooring LinesPipe-in-PipeSubsea flowlinesBundles

BENEFITS:

Flow Assurance Integrity Assurance

Applications


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Optical Fibre Sensors -the enabling technology

� Utilises intrinsic properties of fibre, not merely communicating of data.

� No electronics at sensor locations� High temperature performance >300ºC� Extremely small <500m� Intrinsic Safety� High reliability and stability� Immune to EMI� Distributed Sensors provide Complete Coverage� Long Range


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SSensor Systems

Distributed

�Leakage Detection

Chemical

�Flow Assurance


Pressure

�Identifying presence, location and magnitude of VIV�s, FIV�s

Vibration


�Identify Flow Regime �eg Slugging

�Pressure�Curvature

�Fatigue

�Shape

�Position�Tension

�Degradation

�Flow Assurance


Single Point, Multi-point & Distributed

Temperature AcousticStrain


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Typical SURF Applications


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SA Superior Approach to Monitoring

SystemRiser, pipeline,

well, etc.

Sensors

SystemModel

ControlSystem

Product out

Product in Current Design Practise(s)

Front end design

Detailed Design

Monitor

Analyse & Assess

Test � Comparison with design model

predictions

Modify design practise(s) & tools

New design approach/theory

developed

Production Benefits Long-Term Benefits

Alarms


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STypical SURF Monitoring Scope

To gain maximum benefit from the installation of a monitoring system, it is likely to be a combination of a number of differing sensing systems, possibly combining different technologies � from different suppliers.

The next challenge is for data management, data analysis and interpretation to provide tools and solutions that offer through-life assurance of optimum performance and integrity.


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SData to Knowledge

Data Acquisition� Certain parameters can provide direct output �

eg alarm functions for integrity breaches� Acquiring other data sets needs post processing

to generate Knowledge

Modelling and Analysis� Software tools exist for design/analysis for SURF

equipment, but are generally un-calibrated.� These tools are now being enhanced to take

new data sets to feedback. � Outputs from these processes would include

revised fatigue prediction, recommendations for maintenance or changes in operational performance.


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SAreas of Application

� Early identification of hydrate formation� Start up management� Installation monitoring� Immediate assessment of impact of

hurricanes� Analysis of vibration effects� Strain and bending effects at critical points� Lateral and Upheaval Buckling� Integrity assurance


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SExamples

� Strain monitoring � Insensys presentation

� Flow assurance � hydrate detection

� Integrity monitoring � gas

� Leakage detection - oil


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SFlow Assurance

� Facility purposely established to generate hydrate deposits.

� >2000 metres long.� Instrumented with optical fibre sensors� Successfully identified where and when

hydrates start to form.


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Leak Detection In Multiphase Pipeline

� Multiphase pipe carries gas and liquid phase so conventional mass balance leak-detection techniques not accurate - hence DTS technology proposed

� Mechanism involves monitoring pipeline temperature profile to detect cold spot at leak site due to JT effect

� Objective was to detect leakage of 0.2% mass flow of 160 bar methane at 300mscfd

� JT effect simulated by releasing nitrogen at 160Bar through 2.5mm diameter orifices in buried sample of 660mm dia pipe


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Integrity Monitoring � Gas Pipelines

The leakage is identified after approx 10 minutes and the temperature continues to drop over the next hour. Also the cool zone extends in either direction along the pipeline.


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Detection of Hydrocarbons

Activating fluid

OTDR

Sensor cable

Intensity

Length (km)

Reference trace

Microbending events appear as change in the signal trace Multiple events can readily be detected


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SConclusions

It can be seen that the use of advanced sensor systems coupled with analytical modelling programmes will deliver new levels of information to provide:

operational savings, increased asset life, maintaining of production

Whilst:increasing reliability and minimising risk.

Documents

Optimising Integrity and Flow Assurance Through the Use of