The North Sea’s offshore industry is facing growing challenges in maintaining the integrity of subsea assets, particularly as infrastructure ages.

With many platforms and pipelines now operating well beyond their original design life, the industry must continuously evolve its approach to monitoring, maintaining, and extending the lifespan of critical subsea components.

A significant portion of the North Sea’s subsea infrastructure is more than 30 years old. Studies from organisations such as the North Sea Offshore Authorities Forum (NSOAF) indicate that ageing assets are more vulnerable to material degradation, corrosion, and fatigue due to prolonged exposure to extreme marine conditions. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also highlighted how failures in flexible risers and subsea pipelines can lead to severe economic and environmental consequences, underscoring the importance of robust integrity management programs.

The impact of challenging environmental conditions

The push towards deeper and more challenging reservoirs has led to an increase in high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) operations in the North Sea. The UK Oil & Gas Authority (now part of the North Sea Transition Authority) has noted that these conditions accelerate the breakdown of polymer-based materials in flexible risers, making real-time monitoring of material integrity more critical than ever. Without effective monitoring, the risk of rapid degradation and potential failure increases significantly.

The North Sea is renowned for strong currents, low temperatures, and severe storms, which exacerbate the mechanical stresses on subsea components. According to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), increased wave action and fluctuating seabed conditions contribute to fatigue damage in flexible risers, requiring more advanced predictive analytics and monitoring technologies to detect early signs of failure.

Strengthening monitoring and predictive maintenance

FORCE Technology’s Polymer Coupon Monitoring (PCM) and Vent Gas Monitoring (VGM) services play a critical role in mitigating these risks. By providing real-time data on material performance and vent gas diffusion, these systems enable proactive integrity management, ensuring that operators can take preventive action before failures occur.

With ageing risers, the risk of polymer sheath degradation becomes a primary concern. PCM allows operators to track how material properties change over time under real-world operational conditions. By analysing representative polymer samples, engineers can assess degradation rates, predict failure timelines, and make informed decisions about maintenance and replacement schedules.

As HPHT operations become more common, the ability to measure gas diffusion and annulus free volume is essential in preventing structural failures. VGM continuously monitors vent gas flow rates and pressure changes, providing early warnings of potential integrity breaches. This approach is vital in environments where extreme conditions can rapidly accelerate degradation.

Digitalising subsea integrity management 

As regulatory bodies and industry groups push for stricter integrity management protocols, the need for data-driven decision-making continues to grow. Research by DNV and the Energy Institute suggests that integrating digital twin technology with monitoring systems like PCM and VGM could further enhance predictive maintenance strategies, reducing the likelihood of unexpected failures and improving cost efficiency.

FORCE Technology remains committed to supporting North Sea operators with cutting-edge monitoring solutions, expert analysis, and strategic guidance to ensure the long-term performance and safety of their subsea assets. By staying ahead of emerging challenges and leveraging advanced monitoring technologies, offshore operators can safeguard their investments while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.