US Patent:
20120294114, Nov 22, 2012
Inventors:
Matt Gochnour - Houston TX, US
Adam Dudley Lawrence Hudson - Houston TX, US
Roland Peter Sauermann - Houston TX, US
Jonathan Peter Davis - Cypress TX, US
Douglas Graham Wood - Aberdeenshire, GB
Christopher John Curran - Houston TX, US
Assignee:
BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED - Sunbury-On-Thames
BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC. - Houston TX
International Classification:
G10K 11/00
H04B 17/00
E21B 43/01
Abstract:
Sensor and communications systems are disclosed for communicating measurements from subsea equipment, such as at an offshore well, to the surface. A sensor for a physical parameter, such as pressure or temperature at a blowout preventer, capping stack, or conduit in communication with the same, is electrically connected to a subsea acoustic transponder. An acoustic communications device, for example an acoustic transducer and transceiver electronics deployed on a remotely-operated vehicle, interrogates the acoustic transponder with an acoustic signal, in response to which the acoustic transponder transmits an acoustic signal encoded with the measurement. The acquired measurement data are then communicated to a redundant network at the surface. The sensor and acoustic transponder systems can be installed after an event at the subsea equipment, such as blowout of the well.