Rethinking Riser Integrity in 2026: A Strategic Perspective by The Impulse Group
- The Impulse Group
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
The offshore oil and gas industry faces a pivotal choice: invest in the costly replacement of ageing flexible risers or adopt advanced, data-driven life extension strategies.
This blog explores how The Impulse Group empowers operators to make safer, smarter and more economical decisions around riser integrity management – anchored by a new class of non-intrusive diagnostic solutions that, alongside their decades of expertise, provide unprecedented insight into asset condition.
A smarter approach to subsea integrity
As the offshore energy sector navigates tighter budgets, extended production lifecycles and growing ESG pressures, the case for riser life extension has never been clearer.
The Impulse Group is leading this transformation – combining cutting-edge diagnostics with structured, compliant methodologies to help operators extend asset life safely and strategically. Our clients can now unlock greater clarity, improved safety, reduced waste, and enable long-term value from existing infrastructure.
When it comes to riser integrity, the smartest investment isn’t always replacement.
An evolving landscape sees economics drive innovation
The Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) market, valued at $6.815 billion in 2025[1] with slow growth projected, presents a challenging investment environment.
As operators manage tight budgets and ageing infrastructure, the cost disparity between complete riser replacement and life extension is too significant to ignore.
Life extension offers a capital-light, revenue-preserving strategy that aligns with extended production lifespans and tighter CAPEX scrutiny.
Technological enablers: From inspection to insight
Emerging inspection solutions are redefining the riser integrity landscape. These technologies represent a step-change in asset transparency, enabling insight previously considered unattainable.
Advanced videographic inspection
Our advanced videographic inspection is setting a new standard, offering:
Ideal for inspecting hard-to-access areas
Can be used during annulus testing to save valuable time
Monitor changes over time
A clear and risk-free way to understand integrity concerns in video and image format
Annulus monitoring systems
Our monitoring methods allow for earlier and more precise risk identification, particularly in ageing riser populations, allowing operators to:
Identify when corrective measures must be taken to prevent pressure from building to a dangerous level or bursting the outer sheath
Detect outer sheath damage and corrosion risk spots
Gain valuable information when reassessing pipes and checking the fatigue of pipelines
Check the success of riser installations, ensuring vent ports are operating correctly and are not blocked
Deploy onshore or offshore, and with a range of vent port connections and hose lengths
Integrated monitoring solutions
This integrated approach combines sensor data, visual feeds and predictive algorithms into a cohesive framework for asset longevity.
Real-time riser condition tracking deepens insights into corrosion, blockages or breach within the anulus
Predictive fatigue life modelling to provide accurate feedback for life extension planning
Non-intrusive system design allows for installation and operation without disrupting production
Our progressive inspection solutions enable the integrity of complex, multi-layered riser systems to be monitored without interference with production.
Operational and regulatory alignment
A systematic approach to integrity extension
Life extension decisions involve rigorous phases:
Investigation – Establishing baseline asset condition
Determination – Assessing fitness-for-service under projected conditions
Implementation – Executing repairs, upgrades or enhanced monitoring protocols
This methodology ensures a structured, data-driven route to risk-managed service extension.
Compliance and Third-Party Verification
Authorities and CVAs now accept well-documented, technically justified life extension programmes as viable alternatives to replacement.
Success hinges on:
Verified data from advanced diagnostic platforms
Comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation planning
The Impulse Group‘s team of experts, led by Managing Director Chris Spraggon, support clients through each regulatory checkpoint with complete documentation and third-party liaison support, ensuring transparency and compliance.
Environmental and operational advantages
Reduced material waste and emissions versus complete riser replacement
Avoids manufacturing impacts and disposal complexities
Maintains production uptime, reducing the hidden costs of downtime
This low-disruption strategy strengthens both ESG positioning and bottom-line outcomes. Findings from industry case studies further illustrate the operational savings achieved through effective monitoring and diagnostic-driven maintenance.
A new philosophy in Asset Integrity Management
The Impulse Group is at the forefront of this shift, supporting operators with robust inspection, monitoring, and analytical tools that enable data-informed decisions based on actual asset conditions.
With Chris’ wealth of experience and leadership, we are helping redefine what it means to manage subsea infrastructure in 2026, and beyond.
For those navigating complex fields, ageing assets and evolving standards, the time to reframe riser integrity is now.
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