Monitoring a subsea control module

Abstract

 A method of monitoring a subsea control module (2) for a subsea hydrocarbon well, the module including a subsea electronics module (1), wherein the method comprises using at least one condition sensor (8,10,11,12) which is used in the normal operation of the subsea electronics module to monitor the subsea control module.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to monitoring a subsea control module.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The transportation, typically from the factory to installation, of a subsea control module (SCM) for a subsea hydrocarbon well, the module containing a subsea electronics module (SEM), can result in damage internally, without visibility of any external damage and result in a very expensive process of having to re-deploy after subsea installation.

[0003] Identification of abuse or mishandling of a SCM can currently be achieved by attaching an environmental sensor and recorder to the SCM shipping package. However, this can be removed during the transportation process and replaced, thus hiding any internal damage.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the invention from one aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring a subsea control module for a subsea hydrocarbon well, the module including a subsea electronics module, wherein the method comprises using at least one condition sensor which is used in the normal operation of the subsea electronics module to monitor the subsea control module.

[0005] According to the invention from another aspect, there is provided a subsea control module for a subsea hydrocarbon well, the module including a subsea electronics module, wherein the subsea electronics module is adapted for using at least one condition sensor which is used in the normal operation of the subsea electronics module to monitor the subsea control module.

[0006] A method according to the invention could be performed when the subsea control module is being transported and/or is in storage.

[0007] The at least one sensor could comprise at least one of an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

[0008] The subsea electronics module could be supplied with electrical power for use in said monitoring from a supply separate from the electrical power supply for normal operation of the subsea electronics module.

[0009] Typically, data from said monitoring is stored in storage means in the subsea electronics module.

[0010] Data from said monitoring could be transmitted from the subsea electronics module, for example from a communication device coupled with said storage means.

[0011] An embodiment of the invention utilises the existing condition sensors, such as temperature, pressure, vibration and shock sensors, already housed within a SEM to sense (and by utilising the internal SEM electronics) data log conditions of the SCM environment, during storage and transportation of the product from the factory to deployment.

[0012] This requires the equipment to be shipped in a powered state. The data logger gives an indication as to what level of transportation environment the equipment has been exposed to, which may identify short-comings in the SCM transportation enclosures, particularly with regard to shock mounting of the enclosure unit. It has long been believed or suspected (but not confirmed by measurement) that the transportation environment is significantly more hostile with regard to vibration and shock than the subsea deployed environment and possibly more hostile or demanding (particularly when the periods of exposure are considered) than the environmental stress screening test to which subsea equipment is subjected (lSO13628-6). The provision of this data logger facility would also provide an indication as to where and when any abuse or event occurred, thus enabling the manufacturer to challenge those contracted to ship or transport the product, and could provide the required data that settles damages during transportation issues for each and every project or field deployment. The data logger, if combined with a mobile phone based system, or satellite phone system, would enable the equipment to be tracked all around the world during transportation, prior to deployment.

[0013] The embodiment provides environmental sensing and recording during shipping and storage and thus preventing the deployment of potentially damaged equipment. Equipment subjected to excessive environmental stress during transportation can then be returned to the factory, rather than be deployed, thus avoiding potential warranty issues and returns and loss of reputation and customer confidence.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] 

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a SCM according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 shows schematically circuitry within the SEM of the SCM.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates a SEM 1 located within a SCM 2, the whole being housed in a packing case 3 ready for transportation. The SEM 1 houses a sensor support module (SSM) 4 as a smart plug-in module (SPM) which carries condition sensors, modern SEMs, such as the GE SemStar5, housing such sensors. The environment monitoring sensors enable monitoring of the micro-climate within the SEM pressure isolation vessel 5 when in subsea operation (temperature, relative humidity, pressure and vibration) but for this invention are also used to monitor the external environment to which the SEM is exposed, prior to deployment, in particular the external temperature and vibration environment. The GE SemStar5 is provisioned with a 3-axis accelerometer which, although originally provisioned to enable the SEM vibration environment to be monitored and characterised when deployed, can be used to monitor the transportation environment.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a typical arrangement of the SSM 4 within the SEM 1 for the purpose of this invention. For the SSM 4 to operate during transportation it has to be powered. If the SEM is maintained in a powered state when in transit and storage it would typically require some 40W of power which would require a large battery source. However, if just the SSM is powered by providing a separate electrical power input 6 to the SSM power rail and isolated from the rest of the SEM power supply lines, typically by diodes 7, then typically less than 10 watts is required which can more practically be supplied by a battery during transit.

[0017] The SSM 4 houses a single board computer (SBC) 8 which during subsea operation handles data from a humidity sensor 9, an accelerometer 10, a temperature sensor 11 and a pressure sensor 12 (these being sensors used in the normal operation of the SEM 1) and transmits this data to the surface. For this invention, storage means in the SBC 8 has the added function of becoming an environmental data logger to provide a record of the temperature, shock and vibration extremes to which the SEM and SCM is exposed when in transit, during handling and when in storage. The SBC 8 communicates externally to the SCM typically through a field-bus channel 13, and this is thus the route through which the recorded data can be retrieved later. However, it is often more convenient for the communication to be routed via a mobile phone device 14 enabling worldwide retrieval of the logged data.

Advantages of using the Invention

[0018] The invention enables:

a) full characterisation of the transportation environment and aids development of custom transport crates and enclosures to match.

b) a secure method of recording the transportation environment allowing the data to be assessed to reveal any parameters that have exceeded the product specification, prior to product (SCM) deployment, detection of the potential of product damage prior to deployment making substantial time and cost savings.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a subsea control module for a subsea hydrocarbon well, the module including a subsea electronics module, wherein the method comprises using at least one condition sensor which is used in the normal operation of the subsea electronics module to monitor the subsea control module.

2. A method according to claim 1, performed when the subsea control module is being transported.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, performed when the subsea control module is in storage.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the subsea electronics module is supplied with electrical power for use in said monitoring from a supply separate from the electrical power supply for normal operation of the subsea electronics module.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein data from said monitoring is stored in storage means in the subsea electronics module.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein data from said monitoring is transmitted from the subsea electronics module.

8. A method according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said data is transmitted from a communication device coupled with said storage means.

9. A subsea control module for a subsea hydrocarbon well, the module including a subsea electronics module, wherein the subsea electronics module is adapted for using at least one condition sensor which is used in the normal operation of the subsea electronics module to monitor the subsea control module.

10. A subsea control module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

11. A subsea control module according to either of claims 9 and 10, wherein the subsea electronics module includes means for supplying it with electrical power for use in said monitoring from a supply separate from the electrical power supply for normal operation of the subsea electronics module.

12. A subsea control module according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the subsea electronics module includes storage means for storing data from said monitoring.

13. A subsea control module according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the subsea electronics module includes means for transmitting data from said monitoring.

14. A subsea control module according to claims 12 and 13, wherein the subsea electronics module is provided with a communication device coupled with said storage means for transmitting said data from the storage means.

Drawing