Offshore staff

HOUSTON --A new technology to immediately alert an operator if a riser system problem is detected was introduced at the OTC on April 30 by MCS and Fugro GEOS. The alert system is designed to increase safety and to help reduce shut-downs.

The Vortex Induced Vibration On-line (VIVOL) system combines software and an instrumentation package to monitor riser vibration.

"The beauty of VIVOL is that is provides accurate, real-time information on what is happening to the riser to allow preventative measures to be taken to reduce risk of failure," said Donogh Lang, group software business development manager. "It is an inexpensive, stand-alone system that can be easily installed on existing drilling risers and with minimum impact on other operations.

It is designed for use on locations where there are potentially high currents and consequent risk of vortex induced vibration.

5/1/2007