Aberdeen-based Nautronix and Cameron’s Drilling Systems division in Houston have been awarded an OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award for the NASMUX (Nautronix Acoustic Subsea Multiplex) system.
This acoustic multiplex control system for subsea blowout preventers (BOPs) is currently in the FEED (front-end engineering design) stage of development and marks a major breakthrough in well control. The system, which features a high function count, will allow acoustic primary control of subsea BOPs for the first time.
OTC technology awards are not easily won. They are serious peer recognition of innovative technologies with the ability or potential to significantly enhance the quest for safer and more cost-efficient offshore exploration and production.
David McWhorter, vice-president engineering and quality for Cameron’s Drilling Systems division, said in a statement: “We are delighted that NASMUX has been awarded such a highly established award. We recognise the Nautronix acoustic signalling technology, ADS2, as world-class and look forward to working with them to develop this system.
“We are confident of success with NASMUX since the underlying technology has already been proven with the Cameron Environmental Safety Guard (ESG) subsea isolation device. This is a logical progression of the technology pioneered by Cameron and Nautronix and we are delighted that the judges also recognise the impact this will have on the industry.”
This system, which will utilise Nautronix’s ADS2 (Acoustic Digital Spread Spectrum) signalling technology, aims to ultimately remove the requirement for an umbilical for BOP control, leading to safety, operational and economic benefits to offshore operations.
This is not the first time the two companies have partnered to develop an acoustic system. In 2002, they worked together for Shell to develop compatibility between Cameron’s ESG and the Nautronix ADS2 technology, resulting in NASBOP (Nautronix Acoustic Subsea Blow Out Preventer), a reliable, eight-function, acoustic primary control system.
Nautronix CEO Mark Patterson said in a statement: “Since the development of NASBOP, we have recognised the potential for a system with a greater number of functions to allow subsea BOP control. We are delighted Cameron also shares our outlook and are thankful for their continued support to develop this application of our acoustic technology.
“This award highlights our commitment to innovation and the potential for our ADS2 technology to have a strong positive impact on the industry.”
Patterson told Energy that Aberdeen-headquartered Nautronix had invested £12million in research and development since 2000. That averages out at about 10% of annual turnover, which is high.
“It was a lot more when we were smaller, and this year, we’re spending a further £1million based on revenues of around £12million.”
He stressed the need for Scottish companies to stay ahead of the game.
“What we’ve found is you’ve got to keep pushing ahead, and technology is by far the best way of adding value.
“Some years ago, we were doing analogue acoustics and lying third in the pack. We had to do something different … had to move into digital.
“That’s why we started on this in 2000, since when we’ve led the way, and our competitors are now seeing the advantages that digital can bring. By going digital, we’ve been able to open up a bunch of new oilfield applications not possible using analogue.”
Patterson said Nautronix had been able to piggyback on the huge advances in miniaturisation and sophistication of satellite and mobile-phone communications by taking appropriate components and packaging them for subsea applications.
It is this sort of approach that is enabling Nautronix to work on 128-channel systems for BOP control – 10 times bigger than current.
“It’s an engineering challenge, but achievable and doable, and the implications for the drilling sector is significant.”
The Spotlight on New Technology Award will be presented to Cameron and Nautronix at OTC on Monday, May 4, the opening day of the show.