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Subsea System
Standardized Systems
Telecom networks and systems today are built according to
global and regional standards bodies such as International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) or European Telecommunications Standard Institute
(ETSI). This ensures good interoperability between various system
elements from different manufacturers.
Figure 2: Electrical distribution at a traditional 4 well template Typically, global telecom standards concepts for transport
networks are Synchromous Digital Highway (SDH)/Synchronous
Traditional Subsea System Instrument Interfaces Optical Networking (SONET) and OTN.
Traditional subsea systems use 4-20mA interfaces and, as subsea
technology matured, serial line interfaces (RS 485 typically) were Availability
utilized. However, control system vendor or instrument vendor Modern telecommunications systems are usually built with inherent
specific protocols were utilized, preventing efficient implementation, availability properties, both in terms of network topology (ring or
re-use and upgrade. Downhole sensors have been interfaced using a mesh), 1+1 Automatic Protection Switching (APS) and 1+1 card
dedicated interface board in the subsea control module. Intelligent protection within each network element.
Well Surface Standardisation (IWIS) and Subsea Instrumentation Availability is a measured at the service level and sets
Interface Standardisation (SIIS) as discussed below have simplified the requirements for all underlying elements of the communications
sensor interface issues. platform.
Figure 6: IFOSS can provide connectivity in inaccessible regions, in this case illustrated as an operation in the arctic where the subsea system can be covered
by ice parts of the year.
· Reducing the number of connectors required and generally availability is much better than for umbilical laying
· Improving on connector performance vessels. The same goes for the manufacturing of a subsea telecom
cable compared to a typical umbilical. A communication cable in place
The improved optical budget should probably be used for improving will allow reliable high speed data connectivity to shore and also
reliability (loss margins) and sensor multiplexing for reasons outlined support data transfer during drilling. It may open up the possibility
earlier. One way of improving the optical budget could be using of a more flexible field development by not being so reliant on the
dedicated fibre cables with a more efficient distribution/routing. availability of umbilicals (and flow lines).
Additional capacity can also be added to older fields by installing a
separate optical cable (whose main function could well be digital Network Expansion – Late Life
communication), adding whatever number of fibres required. The ability to gradually and, when needed, expand a network
Breaking the fibres out in selected locations is an easy adaptation of requires flexibility in routing both digital communication and optical
telecom technology. sensor signals, assuming there are connectors available. Also, it is
The fundamental advantage with fibre optic sensors is that the necessary that the connectors perform according to specification
downhole sensor is a passive fibre. The price is that the signal needs after years in the water. The number of qualified mate demate cycles
to go roundtrip over the interrogation length. In addition, tools from available with present connectors is, on paper, sufficient. However,
digital transmission (like error correction) are not available. Hence few operators have experience with mating connectors that have
the utilization of the analog fibre infrastructure is an entirely different been on the seabed for years. This is entering uncharted territory
ballgame than digital communication except for simple topologies of and the implication on availability when needed is still under
limited lengths. Return loss is, for most applications, less of an issue investigation. Probably, we will first gain experience with temporary
than loss. Partly, system engineering can often minimize the effect connections over time before massively depending on having a
of known back reflections. Partly, reducing the back reflection in pluggable extension available.
connectors is more a question of accepting a little extra cost.
Acknowledgements
Connectivity Particularly in Early Phases of a Development
One aspect that is important when considering a separate The authors wish to thank colleagues in StatoilHydro, Nexans
communication infrastructure is the ability to go in early and Norway and FMC Technologies for support in the preparation of this
establish the connectivity. This can be done using telecom cable laying paper. A particular thanks to Svein Omdal of StatoilHydro and Brian
vessels. There are several of these ships available around the world, Drakeley of Weatherford for making the project happen.