Offshore cables are used for electrical power, instrumentation, communication and handling of drilling fluids and oils. The marine cable used in the offshore sector should be able to withstand adverse offshore environments and provide high protection against fire and explosions.
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Finding marine cable suppliers
Offshore Technology has listed leading providers of cable management system solutions such as fibre-optic cables, data, energy and control cables, drilling and production hoses, and metal cable tray systems, based on its intel, insights and decades-long experience in the sector.
The list includes providers of submarine cable installation services, cable monitoring services, offshore consultancy services for cable systems, and engineering and support services.
The information contained within the download document is designed for instrumentation and controls designers, offshore electrical engineers, electrical wire harness operators, lead instrumentation engineers, optical fibre engineers and telecommunication engineers.
The download contains detailed information on the suppliers and their product lines, alongside contact details to aid your purchasing decisions.
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Types of marine and offshore cable
Cables are used for supplying power to the oil and gas platforms, transmitting data, and shore-to-platform and internal communications. Offshore cables and cable management system solutions are classified based on the functions for which they are being used.
Some of the common types of cables used are:
- Power cables
- Instrumentation cables
- Earth cables
- Umbilical cables
- Hydraulic and production hoses
- Metal cable tray systems, and
- Downhole cable systems
Selecting marine cable for offshore projects
The cables used in the offshore sector need to be strong enough to withstand rough weather conditions and corrosion environments. Some of the features considered when selecting cables are listed below.
- Flame retardant and fire-resistant – Power cables and other cables used aboard offshore platforms and vessels should be flame-resistant to protect the infrastructure. In case of a fire, the cables should not burn easily or melt, which will help in preventing the spread of fire.
- Halogen-free – Cables should be halogen-free and should not include elements such as chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine as they can mix with other substances and produce toxic gases that are harmful to personnel.
- Mud-resistant – The offshore environment includes corrosive substances such as salt, water, and acid. Offshore cables should be resistant to the corrosive effects of such substances.
- Low toxicity and low smoke – The cables should not produce toxic gases or smoke when exposed to fire, as it can create choking hazards for offshore personnel.
Submarine cable installation & offshore cable installation
The installation of offshore cable systems is a highly engineered process and requires the use of special cable-laying vessels and equipment.
The quality of the submarine cable installation process is important as any faults or defects can lead to costly repair and maintenance activities.
