Successful performance of thermally insulated subsea pipelines depends largely on the ability of the insulating system to meet service conditions for the life of the field. Two important parameters governing selection of the insulation system are water depth and product temperature. Water depth increases the hydrostatic pressure on the coating and will decrease the thermal insulation properties by general water ingress and more seriously water uptake at points of damage to the outer skin of the coating. High product temperature could set up thermal oxidation or hydrolysis of the coating resulting in degradation of the physical and chemical properties of the system. The overriding factor is to maintain the heat loss coefficient of the entire pipeline throughout it's life.
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