Scottish Sensor Systems Centre

University: Dr Charles Wang, Head of the Quantum Gravity and Gauge Group, University of Aberdeen

Collaborative Partner: Trident Underwater Engineering (Systems) Ltd., Fugro Ltd.

Project Type: PhD (£52K Award)

Project Duration: 36 months (start date July 2011)

Project Abstract

Applying ground-breaking technology used in space exploration to the subsea industry, this project will investigate the precision sensing of gravitational and magnetic forces in a portable compact sensor, developed in the S3C Lab at the University of Aberdeen. The end result will be an innovative new subsea sensor, which could have a significant impact on the future of the oil and gas sector.

A sensor with high enough sensitivity will pick up small gravitational changes which indicate the presence of an object. It is this technology which has been used for decades to detect the existence of prospective oil fields. However, the technology has been limited to work above the sea level with companies using gravity measurements as part of airborne survey work. This project will develop a new sensor which will allow gravity measurements to be used, for the first time, in a subsea environment.

Current gravitational sensor technology is too large and too power-consuming to take underwater, and the equipment is not sensitive enough to operate in subsea conditions. This project will develop a new type of compact, low-power sensor that can be used in deep waters to detect new sources in a more sensitive, accurate and cost-effective manner. The cold atom trap technology used in this project was originally developed for an entirely different purpose – to measure gravity in space.

To date the project has modelled and simulated a gravity survey which could be applied subsea to understand the characteristics their sensor will need to have. The next stage is to develop the cold atom trap into a functioning prototype of the sensor. Trials are expected in 2013. The aim is to have a sensor deployed subsea by companies for oil detection and pipeline fault inspection within the next five years.

Project Impact

The technology is based on recent advances in laser and quantum atomic optics and offers improved sensitivity, compactness, mobility and lower power consumption. There is great potential for cold atom technology to be used to help find previously undetected hydrocarbons.

This research should make possible the deployment of precision sensors in subsea environments for survey and subsea pipeline inspections using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remote-operated vehicles (ROVs). Inspection is an area of critical importance: currently magnetism is used when inspecting pipelines for faults, however magnetic inspection is affected by other subsea activities that generate noise, making readings less accurate. This sensor would make it possible to use gravity measurements to detect faults for the first time at subsea levels.

Gravitational signals would better reflect where the changes in the condition of the pipeline occur, and it is also a non-intrusive method whereby 3D imaging of the interior of the pipe can be performed without having to do invasive work. The benefits to the industry are clear – a higher level of accuracy achieved in a more cost-effective way.

Additional Project Partners

Following the launch of this project with S3C funding, an oil and gas exploration major has agreed to fund the development of the technology for subsea inspection in 2012-13. Additionally, the UK Ministry of Defence will provide funding to 2016 to further develop the technology for applications in underwater navigation in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).