BP to Deploy 3D Laser Scanner to Analyze Defective Risers

20 July 2009

Smart Light Devices (SLD), a subsea surveillance company, is working with BP to explore the technical questions surrounding two defective risers on an installation off the coast of Angola.

The risers, which are currently inoperative, are 1,250 m (4,101 ft) below the water surface and contain imperfections that render them inadequate for production. BP discovered problems early on in the project, but found it difficult to pinpoint and analyze the defective area with current technology, the company says.

SLD is deploying its 3D Laser Scanner for the project. The system is able to capture the profile of an underwater structure or scene, saving it as a 3D computational model that can be analyzed on a screen using computer-aided design. BP hopes to verify the extent of riser damage through these 3D models.

The system will be deployed at the end of August from a field support vessel, which is manned by BP and Subsea 7, with equipment help from SLD.