Repurposing decommissioned fixed jacket offshore platforms for offshore renewable energy systems: a state-of-the-art technical review
Joaanne Teoh,Yuanzhe Zhi,Yue Liu,Jing-Shuo Leow,Hooi-Siang Kang,Xue Zhao,Xin Li
Abstract
The global offshore oil and gas industry is facing rising decommissioning costs, which are expected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars. Decommissioning also creates significant environmental concerns. In this context, circular economy principles provide a useful direction. Repurposing decommissioned fixed steel jacket platforms for offshore renewable energy (ORE) systems can be seen as a practical alternative to full removal. This review evaluates the structural and economic feasibility of converting legacy platforms into renewable energy hubs. Findings indicate that reusing existing subsea foundations can reduce capital expenditure by 20–40% and lower the Levelised Cost of Energy. Structurally, many jackets retain substantial residual strength with utilisation ratios (UR) typically below critical thresholds after topside removal. However, transitioning to renewable applications introduces complex engineering challenges, requiring advanced Aero-Hydro-Servo-Elastic (AHSE) modelling to assess dynamic loading effects. Additionally, reliable evaluation of remaining useful life (RUL) must account for corrosion, fatigue degradation, inspection uncertainty and the as-is structural condition of ageing jackets. Beyond structural feasibility, this review highlights that repurposed offshore platforms should preferably support local offshore energy utilisation such as hydrogen or ammonia production, offshore refuelling, CO2 sequestration, enhanced oil recovery and platform self-powering rather than relying solely on long-distance electricity export to shore. The review also emphasises the need for non-destructive testing and sensor-assisted, AI-based structural health monitoring to support safe operation of normally unattended repurposed offshore stations.
Joaanne Teoh, Jing-Shuo Leow, Hooi-Siang Kang — Marine Technology Center, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Yuanzhe Zhi, Yue Liu — China Construction Harbour and Channel Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200434, China
Xue Zhao — School of International Education, Zhejiang Polytechnic University of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310053, China
Xin Li — School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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