Cost effective life extension of offshore jacket structures – from a CP perspective

A large number of facilities and parts of the infrastructure offshore are approaching or have exceeded their original design life. Formal assessments are therefore necessary to demonstrate the integrity of structures and pipelines to continue safe operation throughout their life-cycle.

Changing the practice of offshore jacket life extension

Cathodic protection (CP) systems are a standard practice for corrosion protection of offshore structures and pipelines. In order to evaluate the performance of CP system, FORCE Technology has developed an innovative Field Gradient Sensor (FiGS^®), a tool that provides highly accurate measurements of electric currents in seawater with a resolution and detection level that surpasses all other field gradient sensors available on the market. 

Performing a FiGS^® CP survey enhances the capability of identifying the current condition of pipelines and structures, and is therefore a valuable input for life extension studies. The combination of FiGS^® CP survey technology and extensive expertise within cathodic protection allows us to provide solutions that reduce lifecycle cost of the subsea structure.

Changing the return of investment (ROI) for offshore jacket life extension

In cooperation with a major Oil & Gas operator, we achieved savings of approximately 70’000’000 NOK (about 65% of the original retrofit estimate) by using FiGS^® data together with computerised CP modelling, as opposed to using design codes, to optimise the CP retrofit of a jacket structure. Our SeaCorr™ software was used to create a CP model to analyse and forecast the CP performance of the jacket. The model was calibrated with detailed field gradient data from a comprehensive offshore survey (FiGS^®). As the only supplier in the world combining CP modelling with FiGS^® CP survey data, we are providing a step change through disruptive technology for the offshore Oil & Gas industry.

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