Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electrical/Electronic
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory Automation
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • Suppliers
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Webinars
  • Leadership
    • 2018 Winners
    • LEAP Awards
    • 2017 Winners
    • 2016 Winners
    • 2015 Winners
    • 2014 Winners
    • 2013 Winners
  • Engineering Resources
    • Women in Engineering
    • maxon motor driven
    • 3D Product Focus
      • Helical Machined Springs
    • Digital Issues
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Totally Integrated Automation
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos

Taking a closer look at these resources under the sea

By maxon motor | April 14, 2017

hidden resourcesThe surface of the ocean conceals many secrets – unexplored depths, grotesque life forms, and precious resources. To find these resources, a Norwegian company has developed a technology for scanning the bottom of the ocean in greater detail.

At a depth of 1000 meters, it is ice cold and dark. No natural light penetrates here. At first, only silhouettes are discernible in the glare of the underwater robot’s floodlights. Then strange, three-legged objects appear on the bottom of the ocean. They are receiver stations for electromagnetic waves transmitted into the seafloor, to visualize its geological strata and find resource deposits. When oil companies want to find out whether drilling at depth is worth the cost, they often rely on Controlled Source Electro Magnetic (CSEM) technology. This technology exploits the differences in the electrical resistance of different bottom layers to provide clues about the location and size of oil fields.

The CSEM technology uses a very strong power source to generate an electro-magnetic field, as well as several receivers to record the fields. These tripod receivers are placed on the sandy bottom and pick up electromagnetic signals that have been changed by the layers through which they passed.

5000 meters below the seafloor
In 2016, the Norwegian company Petro-Marker placed 25 new tripods in the North Sea. The special thing about this new measuring method is that, unlike other measuring methods, the company uses a vertical transmitter and receiver to find resources under the bottom. This enables a much more detailed resolution and measurement data up to 5000 meters under the sea floor, the company claims. The tripods are about 4 meters high and made from a combination of glass fiber and special foams. Due to the sensitive electronics, metal parts cannot be used. This far below the surface, the pressure is extreme and the salt water is aggressive. (…)

Read more in the latest issue of „driven“.

Comments

  1. Wheaton says

    May 22, 2017 at 10:47 am

    Many sea creatures use electric and/or magnetic fields to hunt, navigate, and locate. Has any detailed work been done to study the effects these emitting tripods have on sea life?

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Enews Sign Up

DW EE Editions

Design World Digital Edition

Design World Digital Edition

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Enews Signup
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP Awards

Copyright © 2019 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electrical/Electronic
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory Automation
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • Suppliers
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Webinars
  • Leadership
    • 2018 Winners
    • LEAP Awards
    • 2017 Winners
    • 2016 Winners
    • 2015 Winners
    • 2014 Winners
    • 2013 Winners
  • Engineering Resources
    • Women in Engineering
    • maxon motor driven
    • 3D Product Focus
      • Helical Machined Springs
    • Digital Issues
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Totally Integrated Automation
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkRead more