Abstract
This paper describes how Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) successfully transferred technology developed in the Renewables sector to Defence and is currently repeating this process for the Oil & Gas (O&G) market, providing solutions that could drive down project OPEX & CAPEX to help make current fields that offer low commercial returns more attractive for development.
OPT describes the core enabling technology viz a moored, floating buoy which harvests wave energy and uses a proprietary energy management system to deliver persistent power and communications over long period multi-year deployments. It will describe a versatile marine platform which enables a wide variety of new application solutions. The system is known as an APB-350.
The results of the latest deployment of the APB-350 are described, illustrating the ability to deploy remote, in-ocean sensors and communications for subsea applications, and demonstrating the rugged survivability of the device.
It will be shown that the technology can deliver to operators a cost effective, safe, reliable, persistent power and communication platform that has the potential to reduce operational costs and improve overall production performance. Specifically, where development would traditionally require high cost power delivery systems, the technology can provide an economic solution where previously the cost was prohibitive. Potential applications are discussed in collaboration with Premier Oil such as:
UUV garages for in permanent infield monitoring/inspection of assets
The control of electric trees for CO2/water field injection
Environmental monitoring for pre-post deployment
Real-time on site field monitoring/sensing systems for 4D reservoir analysis and pre/post deployment surveys
Security Cordons for offshore developments
Temporary navigational markers for surface & submerged structures
Conclusions will be drawn regarding how the transfer approach used will benefit the oil and gas industry, to improve current operations and deliver alternative, more cost effective solutions. The ability to power alternate sensor packages and high power delivery functions, will enable operators to obtain, real-time data for remote field operations; thus allowing remote real-time asset management and enabling better monitoring and control of overall performance and safety.
