Fugro's Structural Monitoring division has been a market leader in monitoring the integrity of offshore jackets over the last 25 years.Online Monitoring (OLM) is a cost-effective means of monitoring the safety of many geometries of jacket structures. On suitable jackets OLM detects member severance immediately and reliably, and can give clear guidance on the location of the problem.

Ways of increasing the sensitivity of the method by improving data collection and interpretation techniques have been developed recently, primarily through two Joint Industry Projects (JIP).

"After learning our trade in the JIP's of the early 80s we have been progressing the technique ever since," explains Alan Dougan, Division Head. "We have seen a gradual change in operator attitude as the IRM industry has become more sophisticated. It appears that with the pressure to keep elderly infrastructure operating, OLM has at last come of age. We have received more orders in 2007 than in any other of the last 25 years. Our huge experience makes us the clear choice for this very specialised and knowledge-based service".

In addition to the clear safety benefit, OLM can extend the life of a structure by reducing the amount of time it remains in a weakened state. It is particularly useful for low redundancy structures, those with low fatigue lives and those operating beyond design life. It is also useful in regions with less well-developed inspection infrastructure; and in seismically active areas. OLM has a clear role in risk based inspection.

Fugro now operates OLM systems on behalf of clients in the Northern,Southern, Norwegian and Danish North Sea areas, and also in West Africa, Gulf of Mexico, and Malaysia.