Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to monitoring the condition of fluid extraction components associated with a subsea hydrocarbon drilling and production operation and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a sensor assembly for monitoring the extraction component which is easily installable and locally powered. The sensor assembly, in one embodiment, is contained on a patch. The assembly comprises a sensor, a power supply, and a communication device, all located on the patch. The patch can be easily coupled to fluid extraction components, such as a valve associated with a blowout preventer stack. The patch can include a coupling material on one side of the patch allowing the patch to adhere to the fluid extraction components. The patch can further include a power generator, such as a piezoelectric generator, thereby allowing for the sensor assembly to be locally powered.
Abstract:
A system includes a tubular member (60) including a radially outer surface (60c) and a sensor assembly (128). The sensor assembly includes a strain sensor coupled to the radially outer surface. In addition, the sensor assembly includes a first coating having (134) a first hardness and a first tensile strength. The first coating encases the strain sensor (131,130) and at least part (64) of the outer surface. Further, the sensor assembly includes a second coating (136) having a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness and a second tensile strength that is greater than the first tensile strength. The second coating encases the first coating and at least another part (68) of the radially outer surface.
Abstract:
An erosion management system is configured to monitor erosion of a component of a mineral extraction system. The erosion management system includes a controller configured to receive feedback from a flow meter related to a flow rate of a production fluid flowing through the component. Additionally, the controller is configured to receive feedback from an erosion detector related to an amount of solids in the production fluid. The controller is configured to determine an erosion rate of the component based on the feedback from the flow meter and the feedback from the erosion detector.
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting potential kicks in a well is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a drill string (28) positioned in a well (14), a mud circulation system (22) coupled to supply drilling mud to the drill string, and a mud analyzer (26). The mud analyzer includes a sensor that is positioned along a drilling mud return path (32) closer to a wellhead assembly installed at the well than to a mud tank (36) of the mud circulation system, and the mud analyzer enables identification of a potential formation kick based on data acquired by the sensor. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of performing line insulation monitoring of a pair of conductor lines at least partially located in a cable, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first power switch in a first conductor line of the pair and a second power switch in a second conductor line of the pair, b) providing a line insulation monitor at a first end of the pair of conductor lines, electrically connected to the pair of conductor lines, c) at the second end of the pair of conductor lines, electrically connecting the first and second conductor lines, d) placing the first and second power switches into a monitoring configuration wherein the first power switch is closed while the second power switch is open, and e) using the line insulation monitor to monitor the insulation of the conductor lines.
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting potential kicks in a well is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a drill string (28) positioned in a well (14), a mud circulation system (22) coupled to supply drilling mud to the drill string, and a mud analyzer (26). The mud analyzer includes a sensor that is positioned along a drilling mud return path (32) closer to a wellhead assembly installed at the well than to a mud tank (36) of the mud circulation system, and the mud analyzer enables identification of a potential formation kick based on data acquired by the sensor. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Sensor assemblies, electrical penetrator assemblies and associated methods are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensors configured to withstand subsea pressures are disposed adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the rotating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. A sensor tip assembly includes a sensor cap and a sensing element therein configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between the sensor cap and the rotating shaft. A substantially incompressible fluid is disposed within a fluid reservoir within a sensor housing, and fluidly communicates with the sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure within the sensor housing is applied to interior portions of the sensor cap. The sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure increases in response to an increase in an external pressure of the sensor housing.
Abstract:
Adapters for inclusion on the lower end of a completion/work-over riser includes a flow loop in fluid communication with a production flow loop hub and a production bore to facilitate testing and calibration of a subsea multi-phase flow meter during completion operations. The flow loop can be in fluid communication with one or more flow loop isolation valves, one or more production bore isolation valves, one or more annulus bore isolation valves, or one or more cross-over valves. In addition, a pressure/temperature sensor can also be included in the adapter. The adapters disclosed herein permit production fluid to flow through the subsea multi-phase flow meter while the riser is still attached to the subsea Christmas tree and before production operations have begun.
Abstract:
A monitoring system for a subsea blowout preventer is provided. The monitoring system includes a fiber optic cable (435) wrapped around preventer portions to be monitored such as rams, pistons, cylinders, housing, connector, to capture acoustic emissions from those portions during operation. The preventer is tested to determine a baseline or fingerprint of normal operation. The acoustic emissions captured during operation are compared with the baseline to detect potential anomalies that may indicate a problem.
Abstract:
A subsea deployment system comprising a deployment surface (12), the deployment surface being at a predetermined position; a subsea installation component (16), the subsea installation component being deployed from above water to land relative to the deployment surface, and a deployment mechanism (26), the deployment mechanism being detachably engaged with the subsea installation component during deployment, the subsea installation component and the deployment system each having a wireless transceiver(36,38) for transmission of signals between the subsea installation component and the deployment mechanism and wherein upon the subsea installation component landing relative to the deployment surface, data is transmitted between the transceivers such that the deployment system is actuated to detach from the subsea installation component.