Sonardyne to supply Cascade Chinook field acoustic positioning, telemetry system

Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- BMT Scientific Marine Services has awarded Sonardyne International a contract to supply an integrated acoustic positioning and telemetry system for Petrobras America's Gulf of Mexico Cascade Chinook field. The system forms part of an extensive life-of-field integrity monitoring system for five Free Standing Hybrid Risers (FSHRs)

The acoustic instrumentation is configured to monitor the position of each riser tower and the turret buoy in relation to the seabed. Integrated sensors will also monitor depth, temperature, inclination, and sound speed. The integrated modem or telemetry functionality will also transfer the data from BMT's load and attitude monitoring system on each riser tower to the turret buoy at the central location.

The turret buoy is fitted with a number of transceivers to ensure a line of sight to each riser tower without obstruction by the risers or mooring lines. These transceivers are controlled by BMT's monitoring system in the FPSO's turret to acquire position, sensor, and load monitoring data. In the event of a disconnection the system continues to record data which can later be downloaded by the FPSO or another vessel. The system uses Sonardyne Wideband signal architecture that enables remote high speed and reliable data communications through water.

The integrity monitoring system will provide data about the movement and loading on hybrid riser systems during extreme weather.

02/18/2009