Operational experience with a long-range, multi-channel acoustic telemetry system
This paper describes the design, installation, and long-term operation of a modular subsea acoustic data acquisition system in the Duncan/Argyll field, North Sea. This equipment is presently providing on-demand pressure data from eight satellite locations at ranges in excess of seven kilometres. The discussion covers the use of in-field noise measurements for optimizing system performance in a high noise environment. Two main sections cover firstly platform installation and seabed installation of the subsea transceiver. Secondly at the remote wellhead locations, the acoustic transponders are described. Cost factors, as compared with hardwired or diver-monitored data acquisition systems are discussed. Modular design permits convenient addition of other data channels and/or extra remote subsea units. The surface equipment installed at the platform is software controlled so that display and data logging can be configured according to operator needs. Variations of the same basis system are discussed, as currently in use for subsea pipeline valve actuation, and submersible flowline tow-out instrumentation. Results of several years of operational experience in various offshore applications give confidence that, when properly considered in system design, an acoustic telemetry system can function reliably at useful ranges in the offshore environment.
- OSTI ID:
- 5401866
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850941-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: European offshore conference, Aberdeen, UK, 10 Sep 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NORTH SEA
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTER CODES
COST
DATA PROCESSING
DISPLAY DEVICES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
MODULAR STRUCTURES
MULTI-CHANNEL ANALYZERS
NOISE
OPERATION
PIPELINES
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
SEA BED
SONIC PROBES
TELEMETRY
VALVES
WELLHEADS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DATA TRANSMISSION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
PROBES
PROCESSING
PULSE ANALYZERS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
420206* - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)