General Electric Company
Subsea equipment acoustic monitoring system

Abstract:

Systems and methods for monitoring subsea equipment are described herein. In one embodiment, such a system can include a plurality of acoustic sensor arrays that each include at least two acoustic sensors, wherein at least a first acoustic sensor array is mounted on an outer surface of subsea equipment being monitored and at least a second acoustic sensor array is positioned remote from the subsea equipment. The system can also include a digital data processor in communication with the plurality of acoustic sensor arrays, the digital data processor can be configured to process data from selected sensors of the plurality of acoustic sensor arrays to both selectively focus on a portion of the subsea equipment and to determine a point of origin of an acoustic signal. The system can be particularly useful in detecting leaks and other events in subsea drilling equipment.