Using wireless sensor networks to enable increased oil recovery

This paper describes how a wireless sensor network (WSN) was deployed at the Gullfaks offshore Oil & Gas facility in the North Sea. At the Gullfaks field, decline in flow line pressure occasionally causes loss of flow from wells. This is not readily detected, and leads to large financial losses. The installation and maintenance of a traditional detection system is costly, complex and requires a production shutdown. In this case, a wireless temperature sensor network was chosen to predict the loss of flow from a well. Before deployment, the solution was tested in a semi- industrial environment to ensure that it fulfilled all requirements. The conclusion is that the described WSN solution enabled quick, relatively inexpensive and reliable detection of lost flow, thus enabling prompt action to re-establish this.