IP Library Granted Patent US 7,918,126
Granted Patent B2
US 7,918,126 · App. 11/861,891 · Granted Apr 5, 2011

Intelligent underwater leak detection system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,918,126
App. No.
11/861,891
Granted
Apr 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A subsea leak detection system is disclosed which includes a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from the plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of the plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon the received leak detection data.

Claims (80)

1. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, and wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors and compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors and compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak.

6. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors and wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range; and

at least one camera that may be directed by said leak detection controller to observe a particular region based upon said received leak detection data.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak.

11. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors, and wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak, and wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one camera that may be directed by said leak detection controller to observe a particular region based upon said received leak detection data.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

16. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak and wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors; and

at least one camera that may be directed by said leak detection controller to observe a particular region based upon said received leak detection data.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

20. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors; and

a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

22. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

24. The system of claim 22 , wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak.

25. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak, wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

26. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors, and wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak; and

a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

27. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors and compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors and wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

28. The system of claim 27 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

29. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors and compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors and wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

30. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors, wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors and wherein said controller is adapted to compare leak detection data received from at least one of said plurality of sensors to a baseline established for said at least one of said plurality of leak detection sensors; and

at least one camera that may be directed by said leak detection controller to observe a particular region based upon said received leak detection data.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

32. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors and wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range; and

at least one camera that may be directed by said leak detection controller to observe a particular region based upon said received leak detection data.

33. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors; and

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller is adapted to receive production data regarding operation of a subsea facility monitored by said plurality of leak detection sensors, and wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak, and wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range.

34. The system of claim 33 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

35. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak, and wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range; and

at least one camera that may be directed by said leak detection controller to observe a particular region based upon said received leak detection data.

36. The system of claim 35 , wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range and said production data is within an allowable range.

37. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said controller may change pre-established sensing protocols if said received leak detection sensor data is outside of a preselected allowable range; and

a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

38. The system of claim 37 , wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak.

39. A subsea leak detection system, comprising:

a plurality of subsea leak detection sensors;

a leak detection controller adapted to receive leak detection data from said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors and direct the sensing activities of said plurality of subsea leak detection sensors based upon said received leak detection data, wherein said leak detection controller, upon receipt of leak detection data indicative of a leak from any of said plurality of leak detection sensors, is adapted to direct at least one additional sensor of said plurality of subsea sensors to perform sensing activities to detect the source of said leak; and

a database for storing said leak detection data received from said plurality of leak detection sensors.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT R/F 064193/0810 Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068525/0717 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT R/F 064193/0870 Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068527/0127 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2023
From: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
To: DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064193/0810 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2023
From: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064193/0870 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2007
From: MCSTAY, DANIEL; SHIACH, GORDON; NOLAN, AIDAN
To: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 020301/0238 →