Subsea communications multiplexer

Abstract

A system for communicating between a surface facility and a subsea production control system includes a communications device proximate the water surface. The water surface communications device has at least one communication interface. A communications device is functionally associated with a wellhead or subsea structure proximate the water bottom. The water bottom communications device has at least one communication interface. A communication channel extends between the surface communication device and the water bottom communication device. A multiplexer is functionally coupled to the communication interface on each of the surface and water bottom communication devices. At least two remote devices are functionally coupled to the water bottom multiplexer. The remote devices comprise at least one of a sensor and a control. At least two corresponding devices are coupled to the surface multiplexer. The corresponding devices include at least one of a signal acquisition device and a control signal generating device.

1 . A system for communicating between a surface facility and a subsea production control system, comprising:
 a communications device proximate the water surface, the water surface communications device having at least one communication interface;   a communications device functionally associated with the subsea production control system proximate the water bottom, the water bottom communications device having at least one communication interface;   a communication channel extending between the surface communication device and the water bottom communication device;   a multiplexer functionally coupled to the communication interface of each of the water bottom and water surface communication devices;   at least two remote devices functionally coupled to the water bottom multiplexer, the devices comprising at least one of a sensor and a control; and   at least two corresponding devices coupled to the surface multiplexer, the at least two corresponding devices comprising at least one of a signal acquisition device and a control signal generating device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one remote device is disposed proximate the water bottom. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one remote device is disposed within a wellbore. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one remote device comprises a pressure sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one remote device comprises a temperature sensor. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one remote device comprises a pump. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one remote device comprises a valve. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communication channel comprises electrical cable. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communication channel comprises a fiber optic communication line. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsea production control system comprises at least one of a, fibre optic monitoring line, a sand detection sensor, a flowrate sensor, a corrosion sensor, a deposition sensor, a micro-seismic sensor, a strain sensor, a vibration sensor, and a position sensor. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the water bottom multiplexer is disposed within a housing with a subsea production control system. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the water bottom multiplexer includes a communication interface coupled between the multiplexer and at least one of the remote devices. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the water bottom communication device comprises only one communication interface. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the water bottom communication device and the water surface communication device are configured to operate with a proprietary communication protocol. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a data acquisition system and a device control system in signal communication with the water surface communication device, at least one of a data acquisition system and a device control system configured to selectively switch on and switch off operation of at least one of the remote devices by generating a control signal therefore. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsea multiplexer is configured to control the operating power of each individual multiplexed device or sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a stand-alone communications device mounted proximate the seafloor and external to the subsea production control system.