Subsea Production Control and Communication

Simplifying Subsea Production

Simplify and subsea are two terms that generally do not go together. Conventional wisdom would tell us that if you are going to operate and monitor subsea wells, you can expect long lead times, expensive processes and very complex communication systems.

Weatherford has once again challenged conventional wisdom. Our production system has simplified subsea operations by providing open systems for control, communications and data management. By making them open, operators are able to easily combine incompatible systems, increase options in expanding subsea fields and retrofit a large variety of designs into existing operations. Using open standards allows remote support and connectivity to any subsea installation worldwide where internet connectivity is available. This helps reduce downtime in production when support is required. Connection can be made using any standard web browser.

The system is ideal for upgrade of applications where data transmission requirements are increasing such as smart wells, video, riser or vibration monitoring, 4D seismic and multiphase measurements.

Highlights

• Cost efficient
• Open wellhead control system
• Open communications
• Easily configurable
• Remote connectivity
• Fully expandable

Applications

Subsea Video Surveillance System

Weatherford’s subsea surveillance system provides video recording in presentation mode and transmission of real-time video. The system allows you to create a video history of installations, upgrades and repairs, or real-time viewing of system operations.

The camera system has user control to remotely pan, tilt and change the lighting. It is modular in design with a depth rating of 1000 m for aluminum housing or optional 3000 m for titanium housing. The system includes a complete web-based software suite for control, storage and display of image data.

Vibration Monitoring

The turnkey vibration monitoring system is for use on subsea rotating machinery. It consists of sensor assembly, subsea canister with controller electronics and topside software for presentation and analysis.

Acoustic Monitoring

The acoustic monitoring system provides gas leak detection or condition monitoring with acoustic sonar. The acoustic sonar instrument can detect leakages of both liquid and gas in subsea processing plants, pipeline systems and valves. The system provides instant recognition at the surface of a leak occurring subsea.

Sand Detection

Weatherford provides a complete retrofit system for real-time sand detection. Individual power and communication are provided to each sensor and the communication is consolidated with the OCC. The standard software suite (TIACS) provides the seamless interface for the sand applications.

The system is modular and can easily be extended to include complex sensors with high demands in power consumption and communication speed. The subsea solution allows for multiple modules stacked together, and includes parking positions for all jumpers.

Intelligent Wells

Weatherford’s system provides a simple and robust solution for subsea intelligent wells. It makes it easy to instrument and control new intelligent wells and also provides a cost effective upgrade path when retrofitting existing wells with intelligent completions. The system is proven and in use in the world’s largest smart well field in Norway.