“Remote witnessing” for subsea surveillance

The new technology, remote witnessing, has been tested with Trendsetter Engineering Inc on its HPHT Subsea Capping Project which is capable of containing high pressure, high temperature subsea oil wells in the event of a well-control incident.
The system works by providing technicians with hardware and software and, if necessary, a standalone camera for the surveillance of subsea installations. Meanwhile, at a local office, a DNV GL surveyor is connected to the technician to provide expert guidance as necessary. Digitalisation can be coupled with the process to provide verification services, resulting in substantial cost and safety benefits.
In the pilot tests, DNV GL designed specific protocols and optimised the camera and software interface to ensure that the remote surveyor was able to deliver the same quality of surveillance data as if he or she were on site. The tests clearly demonstrated that remote witnessing is an acceptable tool that delivers results for independent surveillance when suitable conditions are met, the classification society said.
The new system, which cuts costs and improves safety, has been developed as a result of significantly lower oil prices and the subsequent drive for greater efficiency. Oil and gas companies slashed capital expenditure by about 40% between 2014 and 2016, DNV GL estimates.