AUTONOMOUS CONTROL SYSTEM (SPARCS) FOR LOW-COST SUBSEA PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

This paper describes a Subsea Powered Autonomous Remote Control System (SPARCS) which is designed to control subsea wells without the use of electro-hydraulic control umbilicals. With oil exploration moving towards marginal fields, and small fields connected to the existing infrastructure, SPARCS will provide a low cost solution for control of subsea developments. This paper looks at each of the main system components and provides commercial justification for such a control system. SPARCS is highly innovative in that it controls hydrocarbon wellheads without the use of control umbilicals. The system's electrical power subsea is produced by a turbine generator fitted to a water injection flowline or alternatively a thermo-electric generator fitted to a production flowline. Hydraulic power for operating wellhead and downhole safety valves is produced from a subsea unit. Communication signals for valve control and sensor monitoring use acoustic telemetry with seawater as the transfer medium.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Underwater Technology, v 19 n 2, 1993, p 7 [10 p, 3 ref, 3 tab, 7 fig]
• Authors:
  • Theobald, M
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Control systems; Offshore construction; Underwater construction; Underwater structures
• Old TRIS Terms: Wellheads
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00705802
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM