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BP’s Shah Deniz facility, which started up 2006. Photo from BP. may exist only on an outdated

Subsea device. Field operators change, leading to a loss of knowledge; test standards change, and proce- dures become outdated. All lead to obsolescence. “People retire and you lose that knowledge,”

Saul says. Obsolescence can also come from materials that are no longer legal. “With long-life ? elds, system obsolescence is a particular issue to us,” he says.

Saul urges companies to consider product life cycles as a series of connected gears: “In the time it takes to get from concept to delivery for a large mechanical structure, some electronic sub-

Overcoming systems components could have gone through ? ve generations.”

With newer products, reliability issues emerge over time, particularly with elec- obsolescenceobsolescence tronics, such as a mobile phone, which may only have an 18-month lifetime.

Whereas with substantial offshore assets, now rely on unsupported applications,

There is a big risk circling a product’s lifetime could be 25, 30, 40 or procured without any thought about mature production installations even 50 years, so the objective is maintain- obsolescence. “There are lots of systems where hardware that was once ing production without interruptions from out there – with Microsoft pre? xes such state of the art now poses a minor component failures: “You are going as XP and Windows NT,” he cites. to have to plan how to do that.”

Equipment obsolescence can occur for problem for managers on a number of reasons: “The supplier may BP’s approach towards obsolescence late-life assets. That risk have taken a commercial decision not has changed, Saul says. About 10 years is obsolescence. to supply the equipment any longer...or ago there was an “uncontrolled” tran- they could have gone out of business,” sition to off-the-shelf parts, to ensure

John Bradbury reports.

Saul says, warning of reliance on a sole spares didn’t run out, to offset equip- equipment source, since sub-suppliers ment obsolescence. This was particularly bsolescence is becoming a may stop producing a necessary product. true of subsea packages: Similarly, Saul “ growing challenge within the “You may be creating vulnerabilities you notes that when Motorola withdrew from

O offshore oil and gas industry are not aware of,” he says. manufacturing military-speci? cation and subsea industry,” warns David Saul, Hitherto, industry suppliers have parts it caused consternation in the reliability and technology lead for BP offered to keep manufacturing parts, but defence industry. global subsea hardware. Saul suggests that is now happening less. Furthermore, newer legislation, for

Saul suggests equipment obsolescence But, he sees this as a positive, arguing it example regulations on the Restriction of is inescapable; the challenge is manag- provides supply chain clarity, when a sup- Hazardous Substances, and OSPAR – have ing it. “Obsolescence is inevitable,” Saul plier is no longer prepared to manufacture compelled operators and contractors to says. “It cannot be avoided.” However, he key components, particularly for electron- meet more strict criteria for products.

Now, BP is more proactive, using JIPs says, operators can minimize its impact ics packages, telling customers: “‘You to offset obsolescence risks. Suppliers are and its potential for higher asset costs by have six months left to make a last time checked during vendor audits. BP places planning and proactive action. buy.’ Actually, that sort of clarity, I ? nd greater emphasis on conforming to industry

Speaking at the MCE Deepwater helpful,” Saul says. “Today, there is a lot standards, using fewer bespoke systems.

Development conference earlier this more proactive mitigation out there.” “We are expecting subsea systems commis- year, Saul suggests obsolescence involves

Knowledge sioned in the 1990s to go on until 2030+ many facets including equipment and

Obsolescence stems from access to knowl- now. That is going to be a challenge.” supplies, skills, and software. edge within original designs, documents

Hardware can become obsolete through Saul also warns against spending less and drawings, and engineers themselves technology progress, along with the money up front for a short-term solution: may have retired. Saul urges companies equipment necessary to maintain it, such “If you go down the bespoke, redesign to consider historical document storage, as test apparatus. But, it applies to soft- route, you could end up adding two or to ensure they can still access data, which ware, too. Saul points out many systems three noughts to your costs.”

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