Stingray has developed its Fosar seismic PRM system to provide an installation-efficient design aimed at reducing costs. The advanced optical architecture with its high channel count per fibre allows a light, flexible, small diameter cable that is easy to handle offshore and equally easy to guide onto the seabed. The high channel count also means that there are fewer connections to be made both topside and subsea. This reduces the number of connectors, significantly enhancing system reliability as well as reducing installation offshore time. The system architecture allows different subsea array configurations to be considered, such as seabed hubs, backbone and branch, ring and star patterns, as well as combinations of these methods. This can provide benefits to seabed array layouts in highly congested areas around platforms and subsea developments. Stingray has been working with its installation partners to refine cost-effective and safe installation methods using commercially available equipment which can be used on a variety of offshore vessels. .

Topside installation benefits
With topside space and power usually at a premium, the Fosar topside opto-electronic interrogator unit has also been designed to provide a small footprint. For a typical installation, three standard 19” computer racks are usually sufficient, working off standard electrical supply and with a low power need such that no additional air conditioning is required. Expansion for additional reservoir coverage or satellite fields can be accommodated with the minimum of additional equipment. The automated recording system can be initiated and monitored remotely over a secure internet link, so there is no need for a dedicated full-time operator in the field.