New jackup leg monitor addresses phase differential
Aug. 30, 2010
Monitor Systems Scotland has introduced RPD M1000, a monitoring system to position three legs of a jackup rig accurately on the seabed.
Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK – Monitor Systems Scotland has introduced RPD M1000, a monitoring system to position three legs of a jackup rig accurately on the seabed.
The monitoring system uses three permanent daisy wheels engaged precisely into the rack teeth on the three chords of each of the three legs, enabling direct, accurate feedback from the source.
This system addresses rack phase differential, which occurs when the legs meet strong currents or uneven ground that can make keeping the legs even difficult and risks structural damage to the rig.
Data is gathered from all leg chords and fed to a central control console, as well as to local monitors stationed at each chord, giving the operator clear instructions on required RPD corrective actions and features automatic shut-down if disregarded.
The system also includes the development, with Siemens, of a radio telemetry network with SIL2 approval, aimed at reducing cabling installation costs and providing hand-held mobile data display for additional operators.
