Method and apparatus for evaluating data associated with an offshore energy platform

• US 20080162085A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tim, Mullins, Oliver C., Clayton, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 79/15 for monitoring environmental variables, e.g. wave height or weather data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0262 Confirmation of fault detection, e.g. extra checks to confirm that a failure has indeed occurred

Abstract

A method for transferring data from an unmanned offshore energy platform to a manned offshore energy platform. The method includes obtaining the data on the unmanned offshore energy platform from a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to monitor at least one environmental condition surrounding the unmanned offshore energy platform. The method further includes formatting the data for transmission. In addition, the method includes wirelessly transmitting the data from the unmanned offshore energy platform to the manned offshore energy platform.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data from an unmanned offshore energy platform to a manned offshore energy platform, comprising:

obtaining the data on the unmanned offshore energy platform from a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to monitor at least one environmental condition surrounding the unmanned offshore energy platform;

formatting the data for transmission; and

wirelessly transmitting the data from the unmanned offshore energy platform to the manned offshore energy platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a camera, a sensor, a computer system, a gas chromatograph, a laser emitter, and a Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a notification on the manned offshore energy platform when the data meets a predetermined threshold value.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

confirming the notification, wherein confirming the notification comprises obtaining additional data on the unmanned offshore energy platform from a second monitoring device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

adjusting the monitoring device when the data meets the predetermined threshold value.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

sending an alert to an onshore office when the notification is confirmed.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the data at the manned offshore energy platform via a first antenna, wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting operates via a second antenna.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first antenna is a directional antenna.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein when the manned offshore energy platform is unavailable, wirelessly transmitting the data from the unmanned offshore energy platform to one selected from a group consisting of another manned offshore energy platform, another unmanned offshore energy platform, and an onshore office.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the data further comprises:

obtaining the data via at least one device selected from a group consisting of a camera, a sensor, a computer system, a gas chromatograph, a laser emitter, and a Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises at least one of a group consisting of monitoring data for programmable logic controls, video data from the video camera, Voice Over Internet Protocol communication data, and sensor data.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental condition is at least one selected from a group consisting of leakage of a hydrocarbon, leakage of a gas associated with hydrocarbons, storm damage, and unauthorized person accessing the unmanned offshore energy platform.

14. A method of evaluating data associated with an unmanned offshore energy platform, comprising:

receiving formatted data from the unmanned offshore energy platform wherein the data comprises at least one of a video signal and a sensor measurement; and

sending a control signal responsive to at least one of the video signal and the sensor measurement indicating a hydrocarbon above a predetermined threshold value.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

obtaining additional data at the unmanned offshore energy platform based on the control signal;

formatting the additional data for transmission; and

wirelessly receiving the additional data at the manned offshore energy platform.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

inducing fluorescence of oil on water.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

using gas chromatography to detect a gas in water.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

obtaining the data by stacking a plurality of measurements over time.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein obtaining comprises:

concentrating an analyte of interest.

20. A system for evaluating data, comprising:

an unmanned offshore energy platform, comprising;

at least one monitoring device on the unmanned offshore energy platform configured to monitor at least one environmental condition surrounding the unmanned offshore energy platform and to detect at least one hydrocarbon above a predetermined threshold;

a first local wireless access point on the unmanned offshore energy platform and wirelessly connected to the at least one monitoring device configured to receive data from the at least one monitoring device;

a first switch on the unmanned offshore energy platform and connected to the first local wireless access point configured to format the data from the first local wireless access point to form formatted data; and

a first wireless transceiver operatively coupled to the first switch, wherein the first wireless transceiver comprises a first antenna configured to send formatted data.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising an onshore office configured to receive at least one of a notification and an alert.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a manned offshore energy platform, comprising;

a second wireless transceiver configured to receive the data from the first wireless transceiver;

a second switch connected to the second wireless transceiver and configured to format the data from the second wireless transceiver;

a control system receiving the formatted data from the second switch and configured to control the at least one monitoring device;

a storage system controlled by the control system and configured to store data associated with the at least one monitoring device; and

a wireless system configured to send at least one of a notification and an alert to an onshore office dependent on a signal from the control system.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the manned offshore energy platform further comprises:

a processor configured to;

determine whether the data indicates at least one hydrocarbon above a predetermined threshold; and

generate the notification when the at least one hydrocarbon is above the predetermined threshold.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the manned offshore energy platform further comprises:

an error detection system configured to request additional data from the unmanned offshore energy platform in response to the notification, wherein the notification indicates that at least one hydrocarbon is above the predetermined threshold at the unmanned offshore energy platform.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the satellite system sends the alert dependent on a control signal received from the error detection system, wherein the alert indicates confirmation of the notification.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one monitoring device uses mid-infrared spectroscopy to detect a gas.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the unmanned offshore energy platform further comprises:

a local power unit configured to supply power to at least one from a group consisting of the at least one monitoring device, the first local wireless access point, the first switch, and the first wireless transceiver.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the unmanned offshore energy platform further comprises:

a voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) system wirelessly connected to the first local wireless access point for an operator to confirm the alert.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the first wireless transceiver is further configured as a backbone for a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the monitoring device includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a camera, a sensor, a computer system, a gas chromatograph, a laser emitter, and a Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the digital camera is placed in a protective housing.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one environmental condition is at least one selected from a group consisting of leakage of a hydrocarbon, leakage of a gas associated with hydrocarbons, storm damage, and unauthorized person accessing the unmanned offshore energy platform.