Offshore installation lifetime extension programs
The oil and gas industry has since the very beginning of the industry continuously developed new and improved existing technology which has made it possible to produce oil and gas in more efficient and sustainable ways. The last decades this development has made it possible to increase economically viable extractions rates from existing fields to a level that was unthinkable, when many of the present platforms and infrastructures was designed and installed during the 1980’s, 1990’s and early 2000’s. This development has created a strong demand in the marked for innovative and efficient ways to support lifetime extension programs of existing platforms and infrastructure. As many platforms have a typical design life of around 20-25 years only, equipment and structural elements will often need replacement or major overhaul if a substantial lifetime extension is to be approved by authorities.
Caissons – key component of the offshore jacket structure design
One of the most common offshore platform foundation designs worldwide, in the shallow and mid-water depth segment, is the steel jacket structure.
This is usually an economical, robust and well tested design with a long lifetime expectancy. However, one of the typical components of a jacket structure, that is prone to suffer from excessive corrosion and fatigue life problems, is the seawater inlet and output pipes – the caissons.
