Specialised cables play a significant role in oil & gas and maritime industries

In the high-stakes environments of oil and gas exploration and maritime operations, equipment reliability and performance are paramount. Cables play a surprisingly critical role, often overlooked yet fundamental to operations’ safety, efficiency, and functionality.

Subsea cable innovations in the oil and gas industry

The oil and gas sector, particularly offshore drilling and production, relies on cables engineered to endure extreme conditions, including deep-sea pressures, high temperatures, and corrosive environments. Modern subsea cables are critical for delivering power, transmitting data, and maintaining operational control beneath the ocean surface. Subsea power cables supply electricity to offshore installations requiring robust insulation to withstand seawater corrosion.

Typically constructed with copper or aluminium conductors and insulated with XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) or EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber), these cables prevent water ingress and dielectric breakdown. Advanced pressure compensation systems counterbalance internal and external pressures at depths beyond 3,000 meters, ensuring durability. Effective thermal management using thermal fillers and cooling systems prevents overheating, maintaining reliable performance for high-power applications.

Additionally, the integration of IoT and automation has driven demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency data and control cables. These cables ensure real-time data transfer from subsea sensors to control systems, enabling precise monitoring of good conditions, blowout preventers, and production operations. Fibre optic cores offer superior bandwidth and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Armoured with steel wires or tapes for protection against mechanical impacts, these cables are designed for flexibility, adhering to strict bend radius specifications to prevent fibre breakage or conductor damage during installation and operation.

Cables on ships and offshore platforms for the maritime industry

Ships and offshore platforms operate in harsh environments where cables must withstand constant exposure to salt spray, mechanical vibrations, and temperature fluctuations. Marine cables are essential for power distribution, delivering electricity from engine rooms to navigation systems. Built to MIL-Spec or IEC standards, these cables endure electrical and mechanical stresses at sea. Recent trends favour DC systems for improved efficiency, requiring specialised cables with insulation designed to handle high DC voltages.

In addition to power distribution, communication and control cables are crucial in modern vessels equipped with advanced electronics for navigation, safety, and automation. These cables minimise electromagnetic interference (EMI) while ensuring robust signal integrity. Fibre optic cables, known for their immunity to EMI and high data capacity, are increasingly preferred for satellite communications and onboard networks.

Safety and durability are paramount in marine environments, with fire-resistant cables being a key requirement. Low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) sheathing has emerged as a significant innovation, reducing toxic emissions in case of fire and enhancing onboard safety. These specialised cables ensure reliable performance in challenging maritime conditions, supporting operational efficiency and crew safety.

Future trends and innovations

Future cables will play a vital role with smart designs incorporating sensors for real-time health monitoring, reducing downtime and enhancing safety. Emphasising sustainability, recyclable materials and eco-friendly designs minimise environmental impact. Additionally, cables will be optimised for renewable energy integration, ensuring reliability with fluctuating energy inputs.

Finally, as explained above, we at SUN CABLES have consistently worked to keep pace with the sector’s requirements and have developed different cables suitable for the applications with proper certifications. In addition, SUN CABLES also makes custom-designed and built cables that meet almost all international specifications.