Multiplex Drilling Control Systems

Control Pod
Control Pod
The Cameron Multiplex BOP Control Pod incorporates the field-proven reliability of the Cameron Modular
Pod with a MUX package containing dual redundant electronics. The pod is intended to be fully retrievable
and most functions can be tested while installed subsea.
The Cameron Multiplex (MUX) BOP Control Pod is made
from two independent sections: the Hydraulic Module
and the Electronic MUX Package.
The lower portion of the MUX pod assembly, the
Hydraulic Module, is a standard Cameron modular pod,
identical with the well-known units which have been
installed on many offshore mobile drilling rigs since 1981.
The MUX package is mounted on top of the hydraulic
module and is easily removable for maintenance access. It
consists of the Subsea Electronics Module (SEM) and the
Solenoid Valve Package. The SEM is installed inside a
one-atmosphere pressure vessel.
Hydraulic Module
The main features of the Hydraulic Module are:
• Hydraulic connections are made with extendable and
retractable, multi-port, hydraulic connectors.
• With pods installed and connectors retracted, pod
function testing can be accomplished without
operating BOP stack functions.
• All connector seals are retrievable with the pod.
• All connector seals are recessed in a de-energized
position for protection during installation and retrieval.
• Hydraulic connections are pressure balanced, pod locks
have no hydraulically induced loads.
• All valves and pressure regulators use sliding,
metal-to-metal, shear type seals.
• All valves are stainless steel.
• 1-1/2” valves and pressure regulators for operation of
annular preventers have the largest flow rates in the
industry.
• All valves and pressure regulators are sub-plate or
seal-sub mounted for ease of maintenance.
• Packing at all connector ports is “blowout proof”
even if disconnected at full pressure.
• All pilot ports of valves and pressure regulator are fitted
with purge fittings.
• Pods are offered in either a “closed loop” configura-
tion which returns all exhaust fluid to the surface
reservoir, or a “vent-to-sea” configuration which
exhausts fluid into the sea at the pod.
The module is designed so that all routine maintenance
can be performed without disturbing hydraulic hose or tub-
ing connections. This includes bleeding and purging of
hydraulic pilot lines after a valve has been reinstalled.
The unit has two, multi-port male connectors which
are individually retractable. One connector controls all the
functions of the lower riser package and connects the main
hydraulic supply from the surface via an auxiliary line on the
riser. The other retractable connector controls all the func-
tions of the lower BOP stack.
The female multi-port connectors are cylindrical with
the sealing surfaces on the insides. These surfaces are
wiped clean by elastomeric wiper rings located at the bot-
toms of the male connectors. Proper alignment of the
male and female connectors is assured by floating align-
ment mounts on the female receptacles; they are supported
by elastomeric springs. In guidelineless situations, an ROV
may be used for pod orientation and actuation of a
hydraulic electrical connector stab for the control cable.
Details of the retractable connectors and the control valve
installations are shown on the last page of this brochure.
Electronic MUX Package
The Electronic MUX Package is made up of two major
systems: the Subsea Electronics Module and the Solenoid
Valve Package.
Subsea Electronics Module (SEM) - The SEM con-
tains dual redundant electronics and communicates via
modem with the Subsea Link Communication Controllers in
the surface electronic system. The 230 VAC electrical
power supply voltage feeds two power supplies: 5VDC for
the PLC and 24 VDC for the solenoids and instrumentation.
The main features of the SEM are:
• VME bus system
• Two independent electronic systems
• Reliable industrial standard electronic boards
• Full online diagnostics
SD5416
Female receptacle installation on a BOP stack receiver plate and lower
riser package stab plate
• Sub-plate mounted solenoid valves
• Weight set main electrical supply connection for
retrievable pods
• No pressure compensation is required
The main control cable from the surface
equipment connects to an electrical
connector in the base plate of the
pod. The power conductors in the
cable connect to the power supplies
while the signal conductors connect
to the MUX system modem.
The modem handles both the
uplink and downlink communication processes
of the system. The strain reliefs are anchored
on the lower riser package for the standard
subsea retrievable pod design.
An analog-to-digital conversion module
receives analog data signals from pressure
transducers and other sensors and digitizes
them for transmission to the surface
system. All important system pressures
and voltages are monitored by this system.
Complete pod with covers removed.
Solenoid Valve Package - The Solenoid Electronics pressure vessel and regulator mulator banks, each containing four
pilot accumulators swung out for solenoid
Valve Package consists primarily of several
solenoid valve modules. The hydraulic sec-
tions of these valves use sliding metal-to-metal, shear-type
seals exactly like those in the main BOP control valves of the
pod. These valves have demonstrated their reliability in
many subsea installations since they were developed in
1975. In keeping with the “dual redundancy” philosophy
of the Cameron system, the solenoid valves each have dual
coils. The solenoid coils require only 12 watts of power each
for valve actuation. This results in significant savings in the
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit installed on the rig
for operation of the BOP control system. The solenoid
valves are installed and arranged so that the hydraulic
sections of the valves are accessible from the outside of the
MUX package.
Redundant Blue
Hydraulic Module
Portion of Cameron
Multiplex Control
Pod Assembly
The solenoid valves are sub-plate mounted and
equipped with electrical subsea environmental connectors.
The electrical connectors are connected directly to the SEM
pressure vessel lower housing assembly. No special instruc-
tions during installation or removal of the solenoid
valves must be followed. The system pressure
transducers for all the subsea read-back
functions are installed onto the SEM pres-
sure vessel’s lower housing assembly.
The complete MUX package bolts
onto the top of the hydraulic control
module. All of the hydraulic pilot con-
nections are made automatically through
a male hydraulic junction box installed in
the bottom of the MUX package. It
mates with the standard female junction
box of the hydraulic module which is nor-
mally used for connection with a hydraulic con-
trol umbilical when hydraulic pilot control is
used.
Accumulator Banks
In the standard configuration, two accu-
valve access. small accumulators, provide pilot pres-
sures for the two pod pressure regula-
tors (for the annular preventers and the manifold). Both
accumulator banks are installed within the frame envelope
of the pod assembly. Each of the accumulators has a differ-
ent precharge pressure, prescribed in four ascending values
as a function of the operating water depth. The staggered
precharge pressures ensure that the charge pressure of the
bank can be easily controlled throughout the required set-
ting range by “feeding” and “bleeding” pressure with short
pulses of the controlling solenoid valves. If only a single,
small, pilot accumulator were used, the pressure in the high-
er range would change too rapidly to be controlled by the
solenoid valves.
Redundant Yellow
Hydraulic Module
Portion of Cameron
Multiplex Control
Pod Assembly
Optional Features
Optional equipment which can take advantage of the All desired data from the riser instrumentation unit can
flexibility of a multiplex communication and control system be transmitted via the SEM to the surface panels, and all
include: necessary television camera commands, such as pan, tilt,
• Riser inclination and tension monitoring system which focus, zoom and light commands, can also be transmitted
may include monitoring mud temperature and over the MUX control signal lines. No additional wires are
pressure. required for sensor data, only for visual display unit data.
• Subsea TV camera controls and lighting (requires an
additional signal cable in the control cable).
• Monitor other electrical sensors on the lower riser
package and BOP stack, such as temperature,
pressures, etc.

BOP stack connector stinger retracted and riser stinger extended,

normal position for running or retrieval of the lower riser package.

BOP stack and riser connector stingers shown retracted in running

or testing position.

Stack and riser connector stingers extended in operating position.

1-1/2” valve shown being installed onto seal subs. Typical pilot
line purge fittings are visible on 1/4” valves visible at the left.
Purge fittings are provided for all pilot lines.

Cameron P O Box 1212 • Houston, Texas 77251 1212 • Phone 713 683 4600 • Fax 713 683 4306 • http://www.camerondiv.com
Cameron GmbH Lueckenweg 1 • 29227 Celle Germany • Phone 011 49 5141 8060 • Fax 011 49 5141 806333

© Cooper Cameron Corporation, Cameron Division, Printed In USA, 3/96 1CHC, WR6081/TC1145