Remaining useful life, technical health, and life extension

Abstract

Life extension has for a long time been an important and highly discussed issue in nuclear and aviation industries, and has recently attracted considerable attention in the subsea oil and gas industry. Decision-making related to life extension is a multidisciplinary problem, but it primarily depends on the remaining useful life. This paper clarifies the concepts of remaining useful life and technical health, and discusses various influencing factors. An overall model with the capability to handle a heterogeneous combination of requirements, such as degradation modelling, uncertain environmental and operational conditions, uncertain sensor data and expert opinion is suggested for life extension decision-making. It is concluded that a physics-based modelling approach is appropriate for equipment in the subsea oil and gas industry.