Controlling and Documenting Dispersant Effectiveness During Subsea Dispersant Injection (SSDI) - A Novel System for Dispersant Dosage and In-Situ Monitoring of Oil Droplet and Gas Bubble Sizes

Abstract Subsea dispersant injection (SSDI) has been implemented as a response method since it was first used in large-scale during the Macondo subsea blow-out Gulf of Mexico 2010. Oil and gas operators have access to SSDI equipment through multiple suppliers equipment. This is crucial part capping containment package offered event blow-out. The concept ensure spill site (remove surface oil), improve working conditions (reduce exposure volatile oil components) finally be option reduce environmental impact form surfacing & stranding increase natural biodegradation dispersed small droplets). However, 12 000 m3/day, would require 800–1600 m3 for week with dosage 1–2%. Controlling could critical, especially, initial volume available dispersants limited. paper presents new system automatic control. monitors size distribution released droplets bubbles. injected then automatically adjusted obtain desired droplet size. from hydraulically operated valve based on real-time signal silhouette camera (SilCam) positioned rising plume. SilCam quantify bubble distributions. can held place by Remote Vehicle (ROV) all signals are brought operator onboard supply vessel via ROV's umbilical cord. tested down-scaled experiments at SINTEF verified full-scale Oceaneering large ROV test pool. study headed Oceanering close cooperation funded Norwegian Research Council energy companies; Equinor Petroleum AS, Lundin Norge ENI Total E&P AS ConocoPhillips Scandinavia AS.