Fugro delivers motion dataset for deepwater riser monitoring

Using its DeepData pods, Fugro has delivered a high-quality motion dataset from the BOP stack and lower riser of two deepwater wells in the Barents Sea.

To verify the integrity of its subsea assets during a drilling campaign in the Barents Sea, the client recorded motion and strain of the wellhead, BOP and riser for two wells, in order to quantify fatigue damage incurred by the wellhead.

Fugro used its recently expanded equipment pool to provide the most appropriate subsea instrumentation for the job. Through its Wellhead and Riser Instrumentation Service (WARIS), Fugro provided a timely and effective response, which included a team of specialist engineers and six modular, self-contained DeepData pods configured to meet the client’s requirements.

The DeepData pods are the core of a data acquisition system designed by Fugro to operate in depths of up to 2400 m. They use high-precision accelerometers and angular rate sensors to determine motions and rotation at specified locations. DeepData also accepts inputs from external sensors such as strain gauges. For this project Fugro deployed a set of its adaptable clamp-on subsea strain gauges.

DeepData Motion Pod with hydroacoustic modem in ROV receptacle.

Operating in water depths of up to 1400 m, the modular logging system collected and analysed data from a range of sensors at critical wellhead locations. An ROV was used for interim data recovery and battery replacement.

The DeepData pods achieved a 100% data recording success rate during a deployment of almost exactly one year and the resultant high-quality datasets will enable Fugro’s client to build up a history of wellhead fatigue and recalibrate the fatigue model of the riser. This information will enable detailed analysis of vortex-induced vibrations and wellhead fatigue so that the remaining fatigue life of the assets can be estimated. Using this information, the client will be able to manage well interventions more effectively in the longer term, achieving significant cost benefits as a result.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/01082014/fugro-delivers-dataset-for-barents-sea-deepwater-well-1180/