C2I 2020: Information, Data & Connectivity shortlist

Category: Information, Data & Connectivity

Project: Radio Frequency Pipeline Communications - Electromagnetic Research

Partners: Innerpath Technologies Ltd, University of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University, Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC)

Innerpath’s Martin Beveridge is well versed in the limitations of current data acquisition methods and the high costs of monitoring deep well bores and pipelines in the oil and gas sector.

Monitoring subsea infrastructure and obtaining data from subsurface wells has been reliant on cabled transmission or fibre optic-based systems, and for wireless methods only low data rate acoustic frequency techniques have been possible. Digitalised and Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for subsurface applications is an obvious solution, but developments in this area have been stymied by the high capital cost of installing subsea infrastructure.

For this project, the team assessed the use of pipeline structures as radio frequency (RF) waveguides to enable internal propagation of a modulated carrier signal to transmit information from local sensors. In use, this solution could be used to determine pressure temperature and fluid characteristics and other performance-related information in remote sub-surface pipelines or wells. The follow-up stages of this project aim to develop the first commercial RF wireless modem products for pipelines and wells.