Wood extends subsea integrity management network

UK-based services provider Wood said it has launched a new phase of the subsea integrity management industry network named SURF IM. 

The network is now supported by major global operators BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Hess, Husky, Petronas, Shell, Suncor, Total and Woodside.

Led by Wood and established in 2014, the network facilitates face-to-face forums for sharing knowledge and common challenges, focusing on subsea hardware, including component failures, operations experience, and emerging inspection and condition monitoring technologies.

“By working to gain a better understanding of how to mitigate subsea production system failures, the network has the potential to offer operators significant cost savings whilst ensuring safer operations,” Wood said in its statement.

It enables the operators to share, collaborate and identify sector-wide challenges in managing the integrity and reliability of subsea assets, Wood said.

“In previous phases of the network, we have successfully worked to address key issues affecting the sector, including subsea control module reliability, choke valve reliability and cost efficiencies in a low oil price environment,” Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s specialist technical solutions said, adding that “the next phase will focus on a range of subsea integrity and reliability challenges, including life extension risk, degradation of electrical distribution systems, interventions and remediation strategies.”

The network was initially established following a joint industry project (JIP) on the integrity management of subsea, umbilical, riser and flowline systems.

The JIP identified key failure mechanisms, investigated inspection and monitoring technologies, and developed best practice guidelines for subsea facilities.