Pistontrack™ Heave Compensator Monitor From Sensorlink

Pistontrack™ Heave Compensator Monitor

Monitoring the heave compensator system on platforms

Unintentional lock-up or bottoming out of the heave compensator on a floating drilling rig has potentially serious consequences, particularly when the rig is rigidly attached to the wellhead. The situation can be very dangerous for rig personnel, and often leads to serious equipment damage.

Similar risks of equipment damage and down time are encountered when landing and installing blow out preventers (BOP). Solutions to these problems are now available with the Pistontrack™ system.

Pistontrack™ for safe rig operation

Pistontrack™ is used for monitoring the heave compensator systems on floating drilling rigs, and works by an electromagnetic measurement principle. A sensor array is mounted on the outside of the compensator, and information from the sensors is then processed and consolidated to determine the position and velocity of the floating piston inside the compensator.

Pistontrack™ can be accessed remotely from shore, allowing adjustments and monitoring in response to the request of rig personnel.

System Applications

Pistontrack™ is suitable for new-build or retrofit on all installations with:

• Cylinder based draw works
• Top compensator
• Wireline and cylinder based riser tensioner systems

Graphical User Interface

The Pistontrack™ graphical display has been designed to give the driller a clear and intuitive graphical picture of the accumulator position and movement, thus allowing operation of the rig within safe limits.

References

Pistontrack™ is currently installed and in service on the following semisubmersible drilling rigs and ships:

• Bideford Dolphin
• Snorre B
• Borgland Dolphin
• West Navigator (main rig)
• West Navigator (aux rig)
• West Venture (main rig)
• West Venture (aux rig)