V-SLIM: Advanced Subsea Line Integrity Monitoring for Reliable Operations

The two variants tailored for versatility 

V-SLIM Eurocard variant

The Eurocard variant is designed for seamless integration into operator electronics modules. It is a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) manufactured in an industry-standard size, allowing easier retrofit of existing modules or embedding into new designs. This makes it ideal for operators looking to incorporate monitoring into their system without the need for extensive modifications to existing designs or for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) looking for a reliable IR monitoring solution. By embedding V-SLIM Eurocard into their systems, operators can achieve high-precision IR monitoring across critical subsea infrastructure.  

V-SLIM Canister Variant

For standalone deployment, the V-SLIM Canister provides insulation resistance measurement and recovery capabilities in a stainless-steel housing designed for harsh subsea conditions. It supports straightforward integration through an industry-standard interface compatible with pressure-balanced oil-filled (PBOF) hoses. The canister is specifically engineered to withstand pressures and temperatures encountered in deep-water applications, providing a reliable monitoring solution with an expected lifespan of at least 25–30 years. 

Patented technology for precision monitoring 

V-SLIM’s patented measurement capabilities differentiate it from other available solutions. Unlike traditional systems, V-SLIM measures: 

• Total system IR: Assessing the overall health of the subsea electrical system. 

• Downstream IR: Pinpointing the location of potential faults or degradation, even beyond isolating transformers. 

This dual measurement capability breaks the system down into sections, which means operators can proactively identify and manage issues, reducing downtime and intervention costs. In addition to fault identification, V-SLIM enables its constant monitoring and trending of system health to be visualised, so operators can identify potential issues early and take preventive action before faults occur. 

The V-SLIM also features built-in insulation capacitance and line characteristics measurement capabilities, monitoring total and downstream insulation capacitance (IC), as well as system voltage, current, and frequency—all without the need for additional accessories. This advanced analysis provides operators with deeper insights into the system’s overall health, empowering informed decisions. 

Applications in isolated and non-isolated systems

V-SLIM’s design makes it highly adaptable to various and complex subsea configurations. In systems featuring isolation transformers, each V-SLIM unit monitors the segments beyond their associated isolation point, while the V-LIM, Viper’s line insulation monitor, oversees the system up to those isolation points. Together, these devices provide precise fault detection and a comprehensive view of the system’s health by combining measurement data from both topside and subsea segments. 

For systems without isolation transformers, V-LIM topside monitoring is used in conjunction with the subsea monitoring of one or more V-SLIMs. Arbitration between the V-LIM and V-SLIMs via the control system prevents interference between measurements, enabling comprehensive system oversight where only basic monitoring was previously possible. The V-SLIM can also be strategically deployed to split the channel into two segments, utilising its total and downstream measurement capability for effective fault-finding. This flexibility allows operators to tailor the solution to their specific needs. 

A holistic suite of solutions

V-SLIM is not a standalone product—it is part of Viper Innovations’ broader suite of subsea monitoring and healing solutions. When used alongside V-LIM, which continuously monitors IR from topside, and PlatformVi, operators gain access to powerful data analytics tools capable of storing and analysing vast amounts of system data. While full integration with PlatformVi’s analytics capabilities is still under development, the groundwork is already in place for future enhancements. 

Moreover, V-SLIM units can provide the V-LIFE remediation service, which actively restores insulation resistance in degraded cables. This holistic approach, combining V-LIM’s topside monitoring with V-SLIM’s subsea measurement capabilities, ensures operators can monitor, maintain, and heal their systems effectively, extending asset lifespans and safeguarding production.