Undersea Fiber Optic Technology For The Offshore Community
Authors: Mariano J.J. , Ross D.G. 
Published: October 2008

The explosive growth in demand for global communications has been met by a rapid evolution in the undersea fiber-optic technology, which in just a few years has become the predominant method of communication across the world's oceans and seas. As the scope of applications has become broader, the technology has become more diverse, and now comprises a range of products capable of providing economical, reliable service in any subsea environment, from ocean depths to coastal lagoons.

In this paper, we discuss how undersea Iightwave technology is being applied to meet the communication and production control needs of the offshore oil and gas industry. We discuss the trends and technology developments that are changing the economics of undersea fiber-optic communication networks, as well as synergies in the offshore industry. We consider means of enhancing the profitability y of platform operations through reduced downtime, reduced operating cost, and enhanced safety. Finally, we discuss extensions to exploratory drilling and land-based operations.

INTRODUCTION

Since the installation of the first transoceanic fiber optic system in 1988, there has been an unprecedented growth in demand for broad band communication services worldwide, fueled by the growth of multinational corporations. (Of course, many of the corporations with the broadest global reach are in the oil and gas industry). This demand has resulted in explosive growth in the application of fiber optic communication systems around the world. These systems have now become the predominant method of communication across the world's oceans; they now incorporate well over 100,000 km of fiber optic cable, including more than half a million kilometers of optical fiber installed undersea.

As the number of applications has grown more diverse, the technology has evolved to meet a broad variety of user requirements; today the technology that began by spanning oceans can provide economical connectivity in nearly any body of water. Fiber optic undersea technology is now applied over spans from tens of kilometers to several thousand kilometers, with transmission capability in all standard rates, capacities and formats.

Today's most rapidly growing application is the market for domestic infrastructure, i.e., the connection of coastal population centers and islands. Products developed for the coastal and inter-island market have pointed the way toward products for the analogous task of linking offshore platforms and coastal facilities for the oil and gas industry. Synergistic developments within the industry are posing requirements uniquely well suited to fiber optic technology; these will be discussed below.

TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSEA FIBER OPTIC TECHNOLOGY

Broad Applicability

As the technology has proliferated, products tailored for a broad range of applications have been developed (Figure 1). As a result, fiber optic cables are now being used in applications that just a few years ago would have been relegated to other technologies, such as satellite or microwave radio.

On land, fiber optic cables have now become an essential part of not only the public telecommunications network, but many private network applications.