Tritech, the underwater technology specialist, has developed its 360° real-time anchor-chain and riser integrity system for Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units (FPSOs) to include a full design service that ensures optimum deployment.

A field-proven technology, RAMS™ offers continuous monitoring of the presence, integrity and position of mooring lines and risers 24/7 from proprietary sonar technology deployed beneath the FPSO turret. Launched at Offshore Europe 2011, this unique 360° sonar technology has beam steering capability that allows the system to be configured upon installation. This ensures its deployment provides the optimum sonar return from the mooring lines and risers in order to provide 100% target detection and reliability.

Tritech are now able to offer a full design service using in-house software that allows an extensive feasibility and visibility study to determine the best configuration for the customer. This simulation programme allows Tritech’s engineers to assess the best position for deployment and calculate the expected accuracy of the RAMS™ system once it is installed, meeting customers’ safety needs.

Leading the developments in RAMS™ technology is Tritech’s Business Development Manager Angus Lugsdin. Previously US Business Development Manager, Angus led early research and market planning into key customer markets in North America, contributing to the opening of Tritech North America last month.

Angus Lugsdin explains: “Unlike other mooring line and riser monitoring systems, Tritech’s RAMS™ technology is deployed through the FPSO turret and requires no additional sensors to be mounted on the mooring lines or risers, making it far more suitable for long-term maintenance-free deployment. Long-term deployment is also aided by sonar design which has no mechanical moving parts. Furthermore, continuous data recording allows for detailed data export for offline trend analysis, further enhancing the attractiveness of this technology to FPSO operators. The success of the Petrojarl Foinaven deployment has shown BP, and hopefully other service providers, the value of the system.”

Tritech is showcasing its RAMS™ system at the following exhibitions: Rio Oil & Gas, 17 – 20 September, Rio de Janiero, Brazil and the 2nd FPSO Vessel Conference, Houston, 17 – 18 October where Angus Lugsdin will be presenting a paper entitled ‘Real-Time Riser & Anchor Chain Monitoring Technology for Enhanced Asset Integrity Management’.

RAMS™ will also be the focus of Tritech’s exhibition at Deep Offshore Technology, Perth, Australia, 27 – 29 November where Angus will also be presenting a paper in the Track 1, Session 6: Asset Integrity, on Thursday 29 November.

Press Release, August 14, 2012