Subsea Electrical Line Fault Detection Using Modem Data Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Locating and repairing faults in long subsea electrical lines is time and resource intensive, and the process of disconnecting and reconnecting electrical connections can introduce additional risks and create new faults.

Innovation Solution

A subsea hydrocarbon extraction system that uses existing modems to analyze data from subsea control modules to identify and locate faults by comparing pre-fault and post-fault data, employing machine learning algorithms to predict and notify about developing faults without adding new hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If traditional fault location methods using vessel mobilization and physical inspection are used, then fault can be located and repaired, but the process is time-consuming and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault repair capabilityVSAvoidfault location and repair time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical vessel mobilization and manual inspection with an automated electrical measurement system. The system uses impedance measurements and signal analysis to locate faults remotely, eliminating the need for time-consuming physical travel to fault locations and manual inspection procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the electrical line itself to provide diagnostic information about its own condition. By measuring impedance characteristics and analyzing signal responses from the line, the system allows the line to self-diagnose fault locations without requiring external physical inspection, thereby reducing repair time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If physical disconnection and re-mating of electrical connections is performed for inspection, then fault can be located, but additional risks are introduced and new faults may be created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical disconnection and re-mating operations with non-intrusive electrical measurements. The system can detect and locate faults by analyzing impedance characteristics and signal responses while the system remains connected and operational, eliminating the risks associated with physical manipulation of electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary measurement process that indirectly detects faults through electrical characteristic analysis rather than direct physical inspection. By using impedance measurements and signal analysis as intermediaries, the system can identify faults without requiring physical access or manipulation of the electrical connections, thereby maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If extensive physical inspection procedures are used to locate faults, then accurate fault location can be achieved, but costly vessel mobilization and extended downtime are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault location accuracyVSAvoidsystem operational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces extensive physical inspection procedures with automated electrical measurement and analysis systems. The system achieves accurate fault location by measuring impedance characteristics and analyzing signal responses, providing precise fault location data without requiring time-consuming physical inspection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary fault detection and location analysis through continuous monitoring and automated measurement. By detecting faults early and providing accurate location information before physical repair is needed, the system minimizes downtime and allows for better production planning, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12529720B2Fault detection method and system for a subsea electrical line

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 ONESUBSEA IP UK LTD

AI summary

Techniques for identifying and locating a fault within a subsea hydrocarbon extraction system include receiving, via a main channel line and from a first subsea modem, first data associated with a first subsea control module, wherein the main channel line is communicatively coupled to the first subsea modem via a first channel leg line, receiving, via the main channel line and from a second subsea modem, second data associated with a second subsea control module, wherein the main channel line is communicatively coupled to the second subsea modem via a second channel leg line, identifying a fault or a developing fault in the first channel leg line based on an analysis of the first data and the second data, and generating and transmitting a notification indicating the fault or the developing fault in the first channel leg line.