Successful offshore installation at Gullfaks C
GasSecure has completed installation of the world’s first true wireless infrared gas detector, the GS01, on the Gullfaks C platform in the North Sea. 20 detectors were installed on the Statoil operated platform by a team from Statoil, ABB and GasSecure. The time for installation, integration and commissioning of the system was a fraction of what has been the norm for wired systems and shows one of the many advantages of implementing wireless detection.
The offshore tests on Gullfaks C prove that the GS01 gas detector from GasSecure has comparable performance to existing wired solutions on key areas such as response time and accuracy. The detectors are battery operated with an estimated battery lifetime of two years. They have been set up in a mesh network and communicate wirelessly using the ISA100.11a protocol with a PROFIsafe layer to achieve communication according to the required safety standards (SIL 2).
Radio coverage was documented to be even better than anticipated and well inside acceptance criteria. A large part of the platform was covered by direct communication to one gateway.
The aim of the installation is to field prove the GasSecure detector and wireless technology and compare it with existing wired solutions. This is done through side by side testing with wired detectors and installation in problem areas with harsh weather and where the operator has experienced special challenges.
Statoils experience with this installation is summarized in a case study that may downloaded here.
GasSecure would like to thank Statoil and ABB for assisting us in reaching this important milestone.
Wireless gas detection from GasSecure offers some big advantages compared to wired solutions:
- Easier and more flexible installation (no cables, no junction boxes, no barriers, no cross wiring)
- Simplified engineering and documentation
- Minimum overall 70% cost reduction
- Easy expansion with more detectors without pulling new cables
If you would like to know more or discuss the possibilities of going wireless, please contact us at post@gassecure.com