Key to this infrastructure development was the installation of subsea umbilicals, vital lifelines that deliver essential utilities; power, communications, hydraulic fluids, and chemicals to subsea wells. Now, more than two decades later, many of these umbilicals are approaching or exceeding their original design life.
Traditionally, the response to aging umbilicals has been binary: shut-in the well or umbilical replacement. However, full-scale replacement is not only expensive and logistically complex but also carries operational burdens, especially as offshore activity pushes into deeper/more remote waters. At Verlume, we believe there is a better way forward.
RETHINKING UMBILICAL REPLACEMENT
Instead of defaulting to replacement, operators now have access to a more flexible and cost-effective solution. Verlume’s subsea battery and power management systems provide a new model for offshore power delivery, without relying solely on umbilicals.
Our approach directly addresses one of the primary failure points in aging umbilicals: degraded electrical power lines, often evidenced by low insulation resistance. By deploying battery-powered subsea systems, we offer a more reliable and modular alternative. This enables continued operation without the disruption of full umbilical replacement.
By providing power and collaborating with our partners, we can enable all the other services typically delivered by the umbilical; communications, hydraulics, and chemicals. In doing so, a new ‘tool-box’ of capabilities is now available in the market to ‘fix’ the supply of utilities to your subsea asset at a fraction of the cost/timeframe of laying a new umbilical.
GLOBAL PROOF, LOCAL IMPACT
Verlume’s subsea power solutions are already being used across the world to enhance the resilience of offshore energy systems, providing critical backup and primary power in situations where traditional infrastructure has reached its limits.
Our power management system is particularly compelling because it can optimize and scavenge energy from the surrounding environment, meaning that we can provide the minimum system size necessary to maximize the functionality for our customers. Our systems are also modular such that they can be expanded over time, without requiring sweeping infrastructure changes. This gives operators not only flexibility but also the ability to adapt as asset requirements evolve.
We are proud to be a world leader with this transformative technology, offering smarter alternatives to umbilical replacement to help our clients access reliable power, reduce costs, and extend asset life.
This spotlight appeared in ON&T Magazine’s 2025 June Edition, Deep-Sea Exploration, to read more access the magazine here.
