Equinor, Hydromea achieve first subsea-to-cloud wireless data transmission

(WO) - Equinor and Hydromea have successfully demonstrated real-time wireless data transmission from the seabed directly to cloud infrastructure, marking a new milestone in subsea digital connectivity and offshore asset monitoring. 

The demonstration used Hydromea’s LUMA free-space optical communication devices, which transmitted high-volume data collected on the ocean floor through a wireless subsea network and into Equinor’s cloud-based DEEPNET infrastructure. The test showed that subsea sensors and autonomous vehicles can transmit operational data in real time without relying on traditional umbilicals or cabled systems.

Hydromea’s LUMA platform uses high-speed optical communication technology capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 10 Mbps at water depths of up to 6,000 meters. The system is designed to support wireless subsea networks for monitoring infrastructure, collecting sensor data and enabling communication with underwater drones.

According to the companies, the ability to stream subsea data directly to cloud-based systems could help operators improve asset integrity monitoring and reduce reliance on vessels for inspection and data retrieval.

The companies said the demonstration also supports the broader development of autonomous subsea operations. Equinor has been working to establish standardized docking and communication infrastructure for subsea drones and intervention vehicles as part of efforts to create a more interoperable subsea ecosystem across offshore energy operations.