According to Aker Kvaerner, the PodEx is a module that integrates new functionality and instrumentation directly into the existing subsea control system. The company claims that it is a cost-effective alternative that requires very little installation time. Its ultimate aim is to optimize production at brownfield developments and enhance environmental safety.
The PodEx utilizes spare subsea electrical circuitry or co-existent power supplies to convey increased well and reservoir data to topside data acquisition systems for analysis. It is scalable and offers a transparent communication layer which is adaptable to any subsea application, the company said. Another key benefit with the PodEx is that it can be combined with controls system from all system manufacturers.
Erik Taule, acting senior vice president of aftermarket at Aker Kvaerner Subsea, said: This new solution is in sharp contrast to previous, more complex alternatives, which have required either changing or redesigning the original control system. The PodEx instead uses existing infrastructure for power and communication.
