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Integrated Industrial Solutions for Cranes, Automation, and Wireless Connectivity

Wireless Data Transmisson on an Oil Drilling Ship – Case Study

Seadrill, a leading offshore drilling company, operates the West Navigator, a 253-meter drillship.

The ship had frequent issues with its data communication cables between the vessel and the drilling machine, known as the driller. These cables often broke due to movement and wear, leading to costly delays—up to 600,000 EUR per day.

The company needed a solution that would prevent these costly interruptions while meeting strict safety and regulatory standards.

The Problem:

  1. Cable Breakage: The communication cables between the ship and the driller were constantly exposed to movement, causing wear and breaks within a few months.
  2. High Costs: When a cable broke, it halted drilling operations, costing the company around 600,000 EUR per day in delays.
  3. Complex Replacement: Even with a spare cable on board, replacing it was not a simple task. The process was complex, time-consuming, and difficult to carry out in the challenging environment of an offshore drilling ship.
  4. Safety Concerns: A communication failure during drilling operations is dangerous. Stopping the drilling process due to a cable failure is not only costly but can also lead to critical safety risks. Once a control failure occurs, it cannot be quickly remedied, leading to potential disruptions in the operation.

The Solutions:

The solution came from Schildknecht AG with their DATAEAGLE wireless data system. They replaced the faulty cables with a Bluetooth-based wireless communication protocol, offering several benefits:

    • Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth’s frequency hopping allows for stable communication even in challenging environments like offshore drilling.
    • Safety Compliance: The solution was designed to meet ATEX safety standards, ensuring it could safely operate in hazardous environments.
    • Industrial-Grade Reliability: The DATAEAGLE 3000 units were installed in explosion-proof housings to handle the extreme conditions on a drilling ship.

How the Solution Works:

  • Wireless Communication: DATAEAGLE uses industrial Bluetooth to transmit data between the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and I/O modules (input/output systems) without the need for physical cables.
  • Low Latency: Data transmission has a minimal delay, typically below 100 milliseconds. This response time is considered safe and acceptable for reliable operation, even in critical control systems. The system continues functioning smoothly even during brief signal interference.
  • Data Optimization: Using patented algorithms, DATAEAGLE sends only data that has changed, reducing load and improving speed. This minimizes bandwidth usage and lowers the risk of delays or dropped packets.

Key Features of the DATAEAGLE Solution:

  1. Smart Radio System: The DATAEAGLE system processes data with low delay, checking the data for changes and sending only the relevant updates.
  2. Security: The system uses a proprietary protocol to secure communication. Only the DATAEAGLE devices can communicate with each other, creating a safe and encrypted connection.
  3. Durability: Designed to withstand the harsh conditions of a drilling ship, the system operates smoothly even in areas where physical cables would quickly fail.

Results:

  • Cost Savings: By eliminating cable-related failures, Seadrill avoided costly downtime, saving millions of euros in operational costs.
  • Enhanced Reliability: The wireless system ensured that drilling operations continued without interruption, even in the face of potential interference.
  • Safety: The system met all safety standards, and the drilling operations could continue without the risk of control failures that could be catastrophic. Additionally, it reduced the need for complex and time-consuming cable replacements, ensuring the drillship maintained consistent, reliable communication.

Conclusion:

Seadrill’s adoption of DATAEAGLE wireless communication proved to be a game-changer for offshore drilling operations. The solution not only reduced the risk of downtime and saved significant costs but also increased operational safety by preventing control failures.

With the added complexity and risks of cable replacement, this wireless system provided a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective alternative. This case demonstrates how innovative wireless data transmission technology can transform high-risk, high-cost industries like offshore oil drilling.

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