WIRELESS AUXILIARY MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN UNDERWATER INSTALLATION

摘要

The present invention provides a wireless auxiliary system for monitoring and control of an underwater installation. The auxiliary system of the present invention sends data and control signals between an underwater installation - for example, a lower stack (26) in a hydrocarbon drilling or production facility - and an associated riser assembly (23). Data is collected by sensor network (208A, 208B) and is transmitted from a first transceiver (201) to a second transceiver (203) by electromagnetic signals. First transceiver (201) is powered by a local power supply (205). To conserve power consumption, the first transceiver is designed to become active for a short time and then to switch to an inactive mode. For example, wireless data transfer may occur after the detachment or just prior to the reattachment of riser assembly (23) to the underwater installation. Wireless data transfer may also occur on receipt of a handshaking signal from second transceiver (203). Thus, the system of the present invention is capable of providing soft shut-down mode for the underwater installation on detachment of riser assembly (23) and can also safeguard potential risks of reattaching riser (23) when the underwater installation in an unknown state.