Acoustic Monitoring for Safer Offshore Oil & Gas Operations

Offshore oil and gas production relies on a broad spectrum of platform types—from fixed installations and floating rigs to FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading units) and increasingly, so-called ghost rigs—unmanned or minimally manned structures designed for remote operation. These platforms present unique challenges, especially when human presence is limited or entirely absent. Ensuring safe, continuous operation under such conditions requires robust, real-time monitoring technologies capable of detecting faults the moment they occur.

Acoustic Oversight in the Absence of Eyes and Ears

Among the most pressing safety concerns offshore is the risk of gas leaks—posing not only immediate danger to personnel and infrastructure but also significant environmental and operational consequences. Alongside this, the failure of auxiliary systems such as cooling and ventilation, often not ATEX-certified, can quietly bring production to a halt.

Squarehead’s acoustic monitoring systems are a good solution in such scenarios. By combining high-resolution microphone arrays with digital beamforming, our systems provide continuous, accurate detection of critical acoustic events. This enables operators to identify subtle changes that signal equipment degradation or failure before they escalate.

Key offshore-specific monitoring capabilities include:

• Gas Leak Detection: Immediate identification and localization of acoustic signatures associated with gas leaks, critical for rapid intervention and containment.

• Condition Monitoring: Early detection of mechanical faults, such as bearing failures, pump cavitation, or compressor anomalies, significantly improving equipment reliability and reducing downtime.

• Support Systems Monitoring: Acoustic monitoring of essential non-ATEX systems like cooling and ventilation, ensuring seamless and uninterrupted operational processes.