Subsea Production Control
and Communication
Simplified and flexible installation and operation
of subsea networks
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Simplifying Subsea Production
Simplify and subsea are two terms that generally do not go
together. Conventional wisdom would tell us that if you are going
to operate and monitor subsea wells, you can expect long lead
times, expensive processes and very complex communication
systems.
Weatherford has once again challenged conventional wisdom.
Our production system has simplified subsea operations by
providing open systems for control, communications and data
management. By making them open, operators are able to easily
combine incompatible systems, increase options in expanding
subsea fields and retrofit a large variety of designs into existing
operations. Using open standards allows remote support
and connectivity to any subsea installation worldwide where
internet connectivity is available. This helps reduce downtime in
production when support is required. Connection can be made
using any standard web browser.
The system is ideal for upgrade of applications where data
transmission requirements are increasing such as smart
wells, video, riser or vibration monitoring, 4D seismic
Weatherford’s system virtually brings
and multiphase measurements.
the subsea network to the surface.
Open Control System
• Cost efficient Weatherford’s electro-hydraulic multiplex subsea control system is a
• Open wellhead control system modular design concept incorporating well established technology and
qualified components to minimize both capital and operating expenditure
• Open communications
costs. It is field proven with all major tree manufacturers and is adaptable
• Easily configurable to specific needs. The control system is used in subsea shallow and
• Remote connectivity deep well locations around the world. The integrated system provides
the requisite monitoring, control and shutdown functions by means of
• Fully expandable
multiplexed electro-hydraulic control.
2 © 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved.
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Open Communication System The subsea industry jointly developed
the open interface (mechanical,
electrical and data communication)
The production system provides subsea communication via an industry
standard. IWIS provides a TCP/IP
proven open communications controller (OCC) which is protocol
link to subsea electronics, and
independent and supports many interface standards such as RS232, ensures interchangeability of
RS4xx and Ethernet. The system also complies with other open downhole vendor equipment.
standards such as intelligent well interface standardization (IWIS),
transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), Modbus®,
Modbus TCP and production markup language (ProdML™).
Usually, communication is through the power lines and is available to
all channels and devices installed in the wells or on the seabed. The
OCC is protocol independent and transmits each protocol transparently.
This allows third party surface applications to directly communicate with
their instruments using their native format. The systems architecture
will allow any port at the topside to be connected to any port subsea–
even Ethernet to serial. The flexibility allows nearly any combination of
connectivity between topside and subsea.
Open Database Management
The subsea production system supports open database standards
including object-linking and embedding (OLE) for process control
(OPC) server compliance, open database connectivity (ODBC) and
communications to surface applications. The topside information and
control system (TIACS) provides the interface for applications to talk
directly to end devices.
The open database structure allows the dissemination of data from all
subsea devices to real-time, operational and historic databases. There is
also a module for adding manual input to the databases.
Modbus and ProdML are trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 3
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Products
SEM Product Line Subsea Well Control Systems
Benefits/Features
An integrated system provides the requisite monitoring, control and
• IWIS compliant
shutdown functions by means of multiplexed electro-hydraulic control.
• Compact and lightweight design
Network connectivity uses communications on power lines between a
• Easily scalable for different surface master control station (MCS) and subsea control module (SCM) via
project requirements a composite services umbilical and appropriate subsea distribution unit(s).
• Provides electrical and optical
interfaces The subsea electronics module (SEM) is enclosed in a 1-atmosphere
dry nitrogen purged housing located within the main SCM housing, with
• Both ROV- and diver-retrievable
proprietary penetrators allowing connection to the SCM. Within the SEM
systems available
housing ambient temperature and pressure are continually monitored
and an alarm may be sent to the MCS should abnormal conditions arise.
The subsea control and communication is performed using the OCC and
SEM inputs/outputs (I/O). Responses from the surface or subsea units
are propagated back to the platform control system (PCS) via a Modbus
compliant serial or TCP/IP channel from the MCS. The SEM also runs
diagnostics showing the state of all power supplies and communications.
Diagnostic tools and displays are available to the operators via the
topside MCS.
The system is designed for deployment and intervention by means of
a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or diver intervention using a similar
module. Assisted guideline and non-guideline running tools or funnels
are available with ROV assistance in very deep water. These feature a
simple sliding plate design lock down mechanism.
Subsea electronic module with open
communication controller
4 © 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved.
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Topside Information and Control System
Weatherford’s TIACS provides an open system
with the ability to perform data collection,
storage, presentation, aggregation and expert
functionality. A new installation is only a matter
of configuration because the software already
supports a wide range of channels. Supporting
all major SCADA systems, it uses one common
infrastructure for integrating all downhole/
subsea equipment. The common infrastructure
supports OPC-DA (data access), OPC-UA
(unified architecture), OPC-HDA (historical data
access), Aspen InfoPlus.21® (IP21) through
Aspen CIM-IO™, SQL Server™/Oracle, Simatic
S5/S7, Teleperm, Modbus and extensible markup
language (XML) [ProdML/wellsite information
transfer standard markup language (WITSML)].
Surface open
communication
controller
Aspen InfoPlus 21, Aspen CIM-I0 and SQL Server are trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 5
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Topside
IWIS / Ethernet
Router / Bridge
Ethernet
Switch or Hub
Downhole/Subsea
Vendor Tool Serial Server
Configuration Tool Trend Display RS4XX#2
RS4XX#1
RS232
Subsea Video
Ethernet
Modbus Gateway
Modbus/TCP
on Ethernet
Modbus RTU / TCP
OPC Server SCADA/MCS
SQL Server Switch or Hub
Interfaces
ODBC / ADO
Aspentech IP.21
Simatic S5 / S7
OPC Server RS232
Serial Interface (RS232/ Redundant
RS485/RS422) OCC
TIACS Software Suite RS232
PLC RS485
SDAP Data
Analysis Platform
Analytical
Tools
Profibus
Database
an
6 © 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved.
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Subsea
IWIS / Ethernet
Router / Bridge
Ethernet
PPP
IWIS
Serial Server Subsea Control
Serial server mode allows
transparent communications Module(s)
between any topside and
subsea interface RS4XX#2
IWIS
RS4XX#1 Tree Instrumentation
(i.e. Ethernet to serial or RS232
RS232 to RS4XX, etc.) Downhole Gauges
SIIS
Gauges and Sensors
Flowmeters
Modbus
Modbus Gateway Sand Detection
Monitoring
Modbus/ Ethernet
RTU on
RS485
Redundant Path
Communications and RS232
Power Umbilical
Subsea Retrofit
RS232 Module(s)
IWIS
Subsea Controllers
SIIS
Gauges and Sensors
RS485
Modbus
Flowmeters
Ethernet
Video Surveillance
PROFIBUS
Sand Detection
4 to 20 mA
Monitoring
Profibus RS422/RS232
Multiple Nodes with
Multidrop Capability
Power Line Data Transmission Rate
1 to 390 kbps or 1 Gbps Distribution
nd Ethernet 10/100 Mbps on Fiber Optic
© 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 7
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Products (continued)
Open Communication Controller
The OCC provides the electrical and communications interface to the
umbilical power line. Communication between the subsea network and
surface equipment can be through power lines or optical cable using
IWIS/RS422 or Ethernet. Interfaces to subsea devices include Fieldbus
(Modbus, PROFIBUS and CANbus), Intelligent Information Systems (IIS),
optical sensors, custom RS485/RS422/RS232 and vendor specified.
The controller is fully customizable and user specific features can be
embedded into the firmware. It contains a built-in web server for setting
parameters, diagnostics and firmware upgrades. A single topside unit can
communicate with multiple subsea units all sharing a single power cable
for communication (multi-drop).
The OCC provides multiple layers of communication and diagnosis as
illustrated below. The controller performs the functions of a modem, plus
control capabilities and diagnostics.
4 to 20 mA
Modbus
IWIS-SIIS
Diagnosis
Control
TCP/IP
Ethernet
RS 422/RS485/RS232
Power line modem
Fiber-optic modem
Retrofit Capability
The open architecture of the OCC enables the system to share an existing
subsea network. In most cases this allows installation of new technology
instrumentation without having to replace the existing subsea infrastructure.
8 © 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved.
Subsea Production Control and Communication
OCC Power Line Benefits/Features
• High speed–up to 390 kbps
• Mean time between failures > 25 years
• Power handling up to 500 VAC/1000 VDC
• Galvanically isolated dual RS422/RS485 and Ethernet ports
• IWIS compliant providing full Ethernet/IP transparency from topside to
subsea
• Compact and versatile covering all main communication topologies
including multi-drop
• Easy configuration using web browsers and configuration wizards
• Local I/O capabilities
• Full Modbus TCP/remote terminal unit (RTU) support
OCC Power Line Specifications
• Communication distances up to 100 km
• Selectable power line frequency from 50 to 630 kHz
• Electrical interfaces topside and subsea–RS232, RS4xx and Ethernet
• Auto recovery of subsea communications
• Transparent communications
• Supports Modbus, PROFIBUS and IWIS standards
OCC Fiber-Optic Benefits/Features
• Real-time performance using priority queing (QoS and CoS), IGMP
filtering
• Supports fault tolerant loops or redundant rings using rapid spanning
tree protocol (RSTP)
• SNMP version 3 for secure (authenticated encrypted) SNMP messaging
OCC Fiber-Optic Specifications
• Up to two uplinks @ 1 Gb each
• Up to 120 km without repeaters
© 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 9
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Additional Applications
Subsea Video Surveillance System
Weatherford’s subsea surveillance system provides video
recording in presentation mode and transmission of real-time
video. The system allows you to create a video history of
installations, upgrades and repairs, or real-time viewing of
system operations.
The camera system has user control to remotely pan,
tilt and change the lighting. It is modular in design with a
depth rating of 1000 m for aluminum housing or optional
3000 m for titanium housing. The system includes a
complete web-based software suite for control, storage and
display of image data.
Vibration Monitoring
The turnkey vibration monitoring system is for use on subsea rotating
machinery. It consists of sensor assembly, subsea canister with controller
electronics and topside software for presentation and analysis.
Acoustic Monitoring
The acoustic monitoring system provides gas leak detection or condition
monitoring with acoustic sonar. The acoustic sonar instrument can detect
leakages of both liquid and gas in subsea processing plants, pipeline
systems and valves. The system provides instant recognition at the
surface of a leak occurring subsea.
10 © 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved.
Subsea Production Control and Communication
Sand Detection
Weatherford provides a complete
retrofit system for real-time sand
detection. Individual power and
communication are provided to each
sensor and the communication is
consolidated with the OCC. The
standard software suite (TIACS)
provides the seamless interface for
the sand applications.
The system is modular and can
easily be extended to include
complex sensors with high
demands in power consumption and
communication speed. The subsea
solution allows for multiple modules
stacked together, and includes
parking positions for all jumpers.
Intelligent Wells
Weatherford’s system provides a simple and robust solution for subsea
intelligent wells. It makes it easy to instrument and control new intelligent
wells and also provides a cost effective upgrade path when retrofitting
existing wells with intelligent completions. The system is proven and in
use in the world’s largest smart well field in Norway.
© 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 11
Subsea Production Control and Communication
515 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600 Weatherford products and services are subject to the Company’s standard terms and
Houston, Texas 77027 USA conditions, available on request or at weatherford.com. For more information contact an
authorized Weatherford representative. Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and service
Tel: 713-693-4000 marks herein are the property of Weatherford. Specifications are subject to change without
[email protected] notice. Weatherford sells its products and services in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth in the applicable contract between Weatherford and the client.
weatherford.com © 2008–2009 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 5615.01
