Improving Health Monitoring of Umbilical Cables and Analyzing Performance of an OFDM Modem Using Cable Models

Abstract

In subsea we extract the resources from seabed. Only Umbilical cables provides the link from the host facility through which control is exercised, power is transmitted and utilities such as injection chemicals are supplied to the subsea wells, subsea manifolds and any subsea system requiring remote control, such as a remotely operated vehicle. The multiple functions it performs, the extreme reliability required, and the demanding environment in which it is installed and operates. As we move further towards sea bed, more challenges are faced as long distance communication and power transmission, no human presence in the field. If any issue is detected with the Umbilical cable, the link will be lost between the host and the subsea system and it’s also too difficult and costly, to be carried out and replace the Umbilical cable. Due to all those reasons, health monitoring of the umbilical is essential. It is always desired to improve the current monitoring techniques to achieve more reliability and stability. Oil and Gas production system being exposed to the very critical environment like high temperature and pressure, more noise exposure. If a system is able to handle all these extreme conditions then only system is reliable otherwise it will cause more bizarre results. So, all the equipment/systems should be tested thoroughly before being placed in actual application and also should be monitored once it get placed. This system contains multiple ways of communication interface with equipment placed under the seabed (in offshore system) i.e. Low speed copper modem, High speed modem, Variable speed modem, etc. Full system on the seabed been controlled by these communication modems. These will provide an operator to interact with the bottom side. The failure of such module causes Hazardous effects, so a performance analysis of these modems provides great importance on the future response of the product. This report contains performance analysis i.e. full functional validation and testing of modem section. Validation process comprises direct hard-ware testing by measuring different signal on board. It is also supported by software validation of some sections. Simulation provides tools to analyze the behavior of the system in actual circuit conditions before it's placed in the field. Simulation will lead to get a performance analysis report of a modem.