Aquadopp improves HiPAP® performance

The new system consists of a Nortek Aquadopp single-point current meter connected to a telemetry transponder which sends the 3D velocity data to a surface modem via an acoustic link. A number of current meters can be placed on a single rig, ensuring that drilling teams are able to receive accurate current data from as wide an area as required.

The Kongsberg Maritime development team has accounted for the fact that sending sea current telemetry takes time, which will influence the HiPAP update rates. However, the ocean current does not change  over short time scales so the Aquadopp update rate can be set anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Should HiPAP be used as a DP reference system, integrating Kongsberg Maritime’s HAIN reference system will maintain the update rate at 1 ping per second.

“We expect the new package to be very useful in drilling operations especially in deep water or where heavy current may cause problems,” comments Roar Hansen, Area Sales Manager, Kongsberg Maritime.