Streamline Construction
C-Kore subsea measurement tools eliminate slow and cumbersome manual measurement and downline deployment during construction campaigns. They are used to prove the health of equipment during transit, installation, post-install verification and wet-storage. Faults are found immediately giving time for remediation with time-stamped datalogged results.
C-Kore tools can be used to prove electrical, fibre optic and fluid lines during the installation of umbilicals, jumpers, control modules, down-hole sensors (or anything else). The units save vessel time and are deployed subsea with assets to verify asset integrity all the way until the point to hook-up.
Mobilisation and deployment is simple. The measurement program is automated, dramatically speeding up the testing process and reducing the risk of human error. The tools are not much larger than standard dummy plugs, allowing simple hand-carried mobilisation and easy handling for divers and ROV.
Save vessel time and cost, no manual testing required
Quickly verify asset health post-install without downlines
Simple to use, automated testing and data-logging
The testing tools can be fitted at any stage of the journey from the point of manufacture to final installation on the seabed. They are straightforward to fit, simply replacing the dummy or blanking connectors that are normally fitted during transit. Only official parts from the original connector manufacturers are used.
What our customers say
“The C-Kore unit proved to be a simple and effective way of monitoring the status of the cable during all stages of the operation. The ease of use, the simple way of connection to a [laptop] to download the measurements and the fact that the unit could be left installed on the termination box during deployment of the last cable end makes it easy to recommend this solution for future projects.”
Arnstein Austrheim Lid, Statoil
C-Kore Experience
C-Kore Applications
Electrical Installation
Monitoring electrical assets is essential during construction to identify faults early and permit rectification. The C-Kore Cable Monitor is used to test insulation resistance, continuity and capacitance automatically during transit, install and wet-storage of electrical components. The C-Kore Subsea TDR can be used to characterise electrical cables once installed on the seabed and locate any discontinuities caused by faults.
Transport
Installation
Wet Storage
C-Kore Cable Monitor
Monitor assets and detects faults
C-Kore Subsea TDR
Characterise and locate discontinuities
Umbilicals
Electrical jumpers and flying leads (EFL)
Subsea Distribution Units (SDU)
Subsea Control Modules (SCM)
Fibre Optic Installation
Testing fibre optics during and after installation is essential to identify faults early and permit rectification. The C-Kore Subsea Optical TDR is used to test fibre health automatically during transit, lay and after installation on the seabed. It can characterise fibres and locate any discontinuities caused by faults.
Transport
Installation
Wet Storage
C-Kore Optical TDR
Characterise and locate discontinuities
Umbilicals
Optical jumpers and flying leads
Downhole Fibre Optics
Fluid-Line Installation
Fluid lines need to be pressurised during installation to prevent collapse. The C-Kore Pressure Monitor measures and logs pressure readings from hydraulic and fluid lines to ensure pressure is maintained. It connects to the Cable Monitor to display results and multiple Pressure Monitors can be connected for different lines.
Transport
Installation
Wet Storage
C-Kore Pressure Monitor
Measures and logs pressure readings
Umbilicals
Hydraulic jumpers and flying leads (HFL)
Subsea Manifolds
Well-Head Installation (and Decommissioning)
Before the SCM and data-link are available (or after they have been removed) the state of a subsea well is unknown. This creates risks for divers and the environment if there is an accidental release of pressure. The C-Kore Sensor Monitor can read wellhead sensors to report pressure readings and get data from other types of subsea instrumentation. This improves safety for divers and reduces hydrocarbon release risks.
Installation
Wet Storage
Decommissioning
C-Kore Sensor Monitor
Measures sensor outputs
Well-head sensors
Subsea instrumentation
Tools for Construction
C-Kore vs. Traditional Methods
C-Kore tools overcome the issues of traditional testing. They eliminate the need for manual measurement of insulation resistance and lashed together automated continuity measurement systems. Further, these measurement techniques are not possible when components are deployed subsea and in the case of umbilicals the second end must be deployed blind. Without C-Kore the only way to verify installation is with downlines and all the problems they entail, from the slow deployment and dubious reliability of the downlines themselves to the effects of inclement weather on deck-based reading accuracy. Both approaches can easily add many hours to testing, adding up to substantial vessel time.
Savings on personnel can be made by using C-Kore tools, as they are trivial to install and then perform automated measurement and data-logging. There are no delays to departure, as the tools only take a moment to install and a few minutes to obtain the first set of test results. Ideally they are installed on the quayside before assets are even loaded to provide continuous monitoring.
The tools do not require high-voltage permits, simplifying operations. C-Kore units are depth rated and are left in place for subsea deployment and wet-storage, this means the second end of umbilicals and other components need not be installed blind. When removed by ROV, C-Kore will fit in the tooling tray for extremely fast recovery. For divers, C-Kore is lightweight and easy to handle. C-Kore uses an innovative low-voltage testing technique, so divers do not have to retreat during testing and SCMs are safe from damage.
CKore unit next to traditional arrangement
C-Kore
No specialist personnel required, pre-programmed and automated
Start monitoring immediately after supplier FAT on the quayside
Suitable for monitoring load-out, long transits, lays and wet-storage
All results data-logged for analysis and reporting with built-in tools
Manual Measurement
Requires specialist personnel and separate IR and CR arrangements
Susceptible to human error and variation, hand-written records
Permits and barriers required to conduct testing
Humidity and weather affect readings from hand-held equipment
VS.
C-Kore
Deployed with cable/component for continuous monitoring
Measure during deployment and leave in place to monitor wet-storage
Recover in ROV tooling tray, diver cage or basket
Not effected by adverse weather or environmental factors
Downlines
Haulage, deck-space and sea fastening required for mobilisation
Extra time required for deployment and recovery, including vessel step-off
Specialist operator required to run test equipment on back-deck
Humidity and weather affect readings, downlines susceptible to damage
The C-Kore Rental Service
Configuration
The first step is to talk to us. We have helped many customers configure C-Kore units for their applications and have a wealth of experience to draw on.
Commonly, after discussing the equipment construction and deployment schedule we pre-configure C-Kore units before they leave the factory so all the end user has to do is remove them from the box and plug them in. Configuration can still be changed later in the field if needed.
We can help you decide:
When should a test routine start
This is typically a scheduled for repeated measurement, with different testing frequency for transit, lay and wet-storage phases. The light or proximity sensors can be used for additional spot measurements.Which lines should be tested
Multiple combinations of inputs and seawater can be tested with any kind of measurement (IR, CR, TDR, etc)What should be displayed
All results, a summary, or the worst readings seen can be shown on the built-in display after each test
Every unit is electrically and hyperbaric tested before dispatch and pre-loaded with configuration data if required.
Deployment
The C-Kore units arrive in small pelican cases, which can be easily hand carried to site and take very little storage space.
It is simple to deploy and use C-Kore tools:
Connect
Plug a C-Kore unit into the equipment to be tested, typically it just replaces the standard dummy plugStart Measurement
Fit the activation plug to take the units out of transport mode and enable scheduled testingTake Spot Measurments
At key points an additional reading may be required, use the light or proximity sensor to start a testResults displayed
Instant feedback on built-in OLED display to see measurement results on deck or subsea- Deploy units subsea
Units remain fitted to equipment when deployed subsea and during wet-storage for continuous monitoring
Every result is datalogged and the units do not need to be recovered until the point when the new component is hooked-up.
Recovery
When measurement is complete it is easy to recover and return the units:
Recover to deck
Bring the units back quickly and simply in ROV tooling tray (scoop), diver basket or work basketDownload Data
Connect via USB and use a built-in wizard to download full test reports and spreadsheets
It’s simple to demob the units, just place them back in their cases and dispatch via a normal parcel courier, no cranes or haulage required.
