Challenge:
CO2 under transport is compressible with variations in fluid density changing with relatively small pressure and temperature changes. This results in a challenge to monitor system integrity, as a leak may be masked by the volatile nature of the product under transport.
Many of the proposed subsea sequestration locations are in relatively shallow areas (<700m water depth) where liquid CO2 in the transport system will quickly change phase back to gas if system integrity is lost.
Due to these issues, it is not easy to use standard methods for integrity monitoring to identify small losses in integrity or external risks that may result in loss of integrity.
At sequestration sites, the liquid CO2 will be pushed into existing reservoirs below the seabed. Integrity of the wells and reservoirs is also a risk that is difficult to assess with traditional methods.
Solution:
Imenco has developed a subsea leak detection and security solution utilizing active acoustics with advanced signal processing and machine learning to monitor large areas, 4.9 km2 of the seabed and water column to surface of 1km. This system has been tested for hydrocarbons (liquid oil and gas) and CO2. It has been qualified to API17F and Equinor TR1233 and is currently TRL4 in Equinor System.
Presentation:
The presentation will cover the challenges in monitoring CO2 transport integrity and provide the details of the technical capability of the solution, including ability to monitor security risks and subsea operations in the area for 25 years.
Equinor took this challenge and together with Metas AS, progressed their earlier research, conducted since 2011 to create a pilot installation at Troll B’s H well site.
This presentation will describe the findings of this pilot installation including: technical challenges faced, testing techniques developed, use of machine learning, and the field validated performance of the system that is currently approved as TRL4 in Equinor.
It will also discuss the ability of active sonar to be used for security monitoring of subsea infrastructure, including detection and tracking of trawls, dropped objects, gliders, ROV/AUVs, and other objects.
With two decades of expertise in subsea instrumentation, environmental monitoring, and subsea systems, Michael Thomas Smith is a dynamic force in the subsea industry. As Business Development Manager at Imenco Future Technologies AS, he strategically drives growth, positioning the company as a global leader. At UTC 2024 in Bergen, Norway, he’ll delve into the transformative role of technology in subsea CO2 Transportation, offering insights into the future of subsea instrumentation and environmental monitoring.
At Grieghallen in Bergen, Norway 11 – 13 June