Tritech, leader in acoustic technologies, has developed a system for the real-time integrity monitoring of mooring lines, umbilicals and risers on Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units (FPSOs).
RAMS (Riser and Anchor Monitoring System) is a 360° riser and anchor chain monitoring system for FPSOs that is deployed beneath the vessel and monitors the presence, integrity and position of mooring lines and risers 24/7 from a single sonar head.
RAMS has been extensively tested and the accuracy of the system has shown to be 100% effective in its current deployment on Teekay’s Petrojarl Foinaven FPSO, operating on a BP deepwater oil field, within the UKCS (UK Continental Shelf), located approximately 190km (118mi) off the West Coast of Shetland.
RAMS has been developed in conjunction with BP who had a requirement for an automated system able to monitor the series of bend stiffeners, umbilicals and risers on an FPSO. The RAMS technology builds on the leading proprietary multibeam sonar technology developed by SRD prior to its acquisition by Tritech (a Halma company).
RAMS is deployed beneath an FPSO’s turret in the centre of the risers and mooring chains. Through its multibeam sonar array, RAMS can provide simultaneous real-time updates on the status of all lines, with continuous recording and data export. Tritech’s unique RAMS technology has the option to provide the end user with an alarm-based system notifying the operator of any out-of-specification movement without delay, in addition to trend data that allows for more accurate [material] fatigue analysis.
Angus Lugsdin, Tritech’s Business Development Manager comments: “With an increased focus on mooring and riser integrity to meet defined and implied safety regulations and stricter corporate governance, Tritech has developed a field-proven, real-time monitoring system that provides the FPSO operator with an easy to understand alarm-based system that detects the presence and measures the movement of mooring lines and risers. Unlike other technologies RAMS immediately notifies the operator of any movement that is out of specification and records all the data for export which allows long term trend data to be studied; this has the potential to revolutionise mooring and riser integrity studies.”
A BP Representative, comments: “RAMS has been installed on the Foinaven FPSO since 2009 and shown to be 100% effective. We are confident of the system and its ability to monitor the integrity of risers and umbilicals and its capability for data export in order to analyse riser/ bend stiffener movement which is very important, not only to maintain the asset but to identify the need for corrective action.”
Tritech are working with partners NCS Survey, an Acteon Company, who will deliver the installation, commissioning and after-sales support of RAMS. NCS Survey provides global survey and positioning services to the offshore markets, including the upstream oil, gas and renewable sectors, and marine and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) contractors. NCS Survey is experienced with RAMS having acquired the service business line of SRD, a Halma company, in January 2010. By combining resources, Tritech and NCS are able to offer a complete solution to the FPSO industry.
Visit Tritech on Stand 6B25, Hall 6, OE Deep Water Zone at Offshore Europe 2011 (6 – 8 September, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre), to discover more about RAMS including software demonstrations.
[mappress] Source:Tritech ,September 1, 2011;