Upgrade of Marine Electromagnetic Source

Tender description

The University of Southampton (UoS) is seeking a collaboration partner/ subcontractor to develop/ upgrade a fundamental part of an existing marine electromagnetic (EM) system. This marine EM system consists essentially of a high voltage step-down unit coupled to a remote-controlled subsea transmitter capable of high power switching output. The potential partner must have a track record of marine EM system development and/or application and will be required to have close communication and interchange of knowledge with the UoS. The UoS wishes to upgrade its existing marine EM facilities to enable greater flexibility for marine CSEM surveys around the world. The primary requirement and principle of this complete subsea system is set out in following technical specification: • A programmable controller unit with data storage capacity that has a user interface to allow users to setup complex waveforms (e.g. sine, square, ramp). • Fast current switching (< 0. 5 ms) from zero to > 80 A and a stable current output (less than 2% deviation from current output set-point). • Software for the user to program the above mentioned controller unit, and to read and store the real-time current and voltage input with high precision (high sampling rate > 5 kHz) • A high-power transmitter/ amplifier that outputs the above mentioned pre-programed waveforms into the surrounding environment; the expected output power from the transmitter is an alternating current (AC) signal rated ±50V @ 200A (adjustable up to this level). • Built-in capability of communicating (via fibre optic) with surface ship/ top-side, supporting a number of two-way analogue/ digital signal channels. • Real-time and reliable instrumentation system for recording/ monitoring transmitter's output power/ current/ voltage/ frequency/ phase measurements and real-time data transfer up to surface ship's control unit via fibre optic. • Clock synchronisation between subsea unit and surface ship's Global Positioning System (GPS) (and/or equivalent disciplined timing system). • An option for further/ future upgrading of the subsea unit to have a stable (stability comparable to a Rubidium stabilised clock or ship scale atomic clock), self-contained timing unit to compliment the above GPS synchronised timing. • Compatibility with the present unit's existing power hardware/ infrastructure (i.e. input power and frequency @ 256 Hz). • This subsea unit must be rated for water-depth of up to 6000m • Modularity of the entire subsea system for fast exchange in case of failure of parts. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR TENDERS