New Wave Media

 

For scientific purposes, The Japanese Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is planning to study the genesis of submarine resources at the hydrothermal vents area in Japanese waters. Some of the challenges faced during this operation are the streamlining of subsea data logging operations, working at depths of up to 2,000m, managing the signal conversion electronics at water temp of near boiling point and reducing power consumption for longer duration subsea application.

 

With over a decade of subsea industry experience WFS Technologies Ltd is a global leader in subsea wireless instrumentation and control solutions for the offshore oil and gas industry. Founded in 2003, WFS launched the world’s first commercially available underwater radio modem in 2006. WFS continues to innovate in the subsea industry, focusing on Asset Integrity, Drilling Controls, Flow Assurance and Subsea Operations.

 

In February 2014 WFS, working with its partner in Singapore Precision Technologies, met with Nustar Technologies to discuss the application of subsea wireless data logging capabilities to support flow metering in NuStar equipment designed for JAMSTEC’s submarine resources research.

 

WFS collaborated with NuStar and Precision Technologies to develop and deliver a subsea light weight and power efficient solution that combined the data logger and controller. To achieve this solution WFS utilised patented Seatooth technology. The system was commissioned in Japan in April/May 2015.

 

“We are pleased to have chosen to work with WFS Technologies Ltd, the team helped simplify JAMSTEC’s requirement on mineral flow rate data harvesting process, through direct flowmeter magnetic frequency data logging, effectively eliminating the need of additional signal conversion electronics and substantially reducing overall logging system power consumption, weight and size,” said Teo Sim Guan, Engineering Director of Nustar Technologies.

 

The Seatooth S100 is a compact, low-power, wireless modem, data logger, multiplexer and controller. The Seatooth S100 supports a variety of underwater applications, providing a robust wireless communications link up to 15ft in the most challenging environmental conditions. The Seatooth S100 is equipped with a standard data communications interface making it well-suited to underwater sensor, diver and vehicle applications. It can be deployed swiftly on temporary or permanent installations to support a range of offshore survey applications.

 

In this project, Seatooth S100 will help improve safety, increase operational flexibility, reduce costs and extend asset life, WFS said. The Submarine Mineral Genesis Monitoring System will be deployed for sea trial early 2016.