An international energy company based in Houston, contacted EnTeQ to perform a model-based analysis on one of their subsea systems operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The objective was to assess the feasibility of connecting a redundant power supply to the control system.
This was a new client for Enteq Ltd, which placed significant pressure on the team to deliver a project which was of the highest calibre and which provided real value to the client. The system was currently operating in the later stages of its life, and the client was looking for responsive feedback so that equipment could be procured for a system upgrade. This placed further constraints on Enteq to deliver within an already short timeframe.
One major challenge was that the three phase to single phase system architecture could not be readily modelled in the analysis software. To overcome this problem, EnTeQ worked extensively with the software manufacturer (based in Germany), developing customised models to suit the needs of the client and their project. To add further complications, a precise layout of the system and accurate records of the equipment parameters were difficult to obtain. However, part of the system was still operating and this allowed the model results to be validated against the actual system values.
Enteq’s approach was to develop the analysis models based on existing equipment, to save the client spending more money and time designing new equipment.
The findings demonstrated that it was possible to implement a redundant power supply based on existing equipment.
By performing a model-based analysis this helped the client when specifying equipment parameters and, provided confidence that the redundant power supply design would work before purchasing equipment.
