Reduce Global Subsea Pipeline Removal Costs by AS $16B by 2040
X-Lay® Commercial Demonstrator Phase to be Complete by Q4 2026.
The Decommissioning
Challenge
Global subsea infrastructure is entering large-scale decommissioning. The total subsea pipeline network is >150,000km long. Removal from the ocean is the only pathway that eliminates biohazards and enables recycling, but traditional removal solutions are very expensive and taxpayers fund up to 70% of these costs.
Traditional pipeline removal planning is for the reverse of the original installation method. This is capital-heavy and productivity constrained – resulting in elevated costs.
A Thai Operator has recently removed >300km of their subsea pipelines using a traditional solution. An Australian Operator has recently removed 30km via subsea cutting, while >800km are forecast to require removal in Australia by 2030. This recent demand in Thailand & Australia represents the tip of a very large global iceberg.
The >800km by 2030 in Australia is forecast to cost > A$1.8B and the SAM across Australia, UK USA is forecast to cost > A$38B by 2040, via traditional solutions.
Subsea Decommissioning Challenge
A brief overview of our proposed use cases for X-Lay technology, with the >800km of subsea pipelines forecast to require removal in Australia by 2030, highlights the importance of environmental decommissioning and subsea restoration.
X-Lay® Outcomes
Global subsea infrastructure is entering a phase of large-scale decommissioning, emphasizing the importance of environmental decommissioning. The total subsea pipeline network spans over 150,000 km.
The removal of these structures from the ocean is the only path that effectively eliminates biohazards and facilitates subsea restoration through recycling.However, traditional removal solutions are often very expensive, with taxpayers covering up to 70% of these costs. Innovative techniques like X-Lay technology could provide more efficient and cost-effective removal options.
Conventional Reverse Lay
X-Lay®?
High-spec lay vessel required for environmental decommissioning. Remove pipe in 40’ joints (1.5km/day) utilizing advanced X-Lay technology. Extended campaign duration may lead to higher cost exposure, especially during subsea restoration.
Our Commercial Model
Progress & Development
We commenced our “Technology Demonstrator Phase” for X-Lay technology in 2020, and following a Seed Raise in 2025, we moved into our “Commercial Demonstrator Phase”. This phase currently involves independent technology qualification via DNV, further R&D, engineering, and potential pipeline bend analysis/testing, all crucial for our efforts in environmental decommissioning. We are also seeking Government Grant funding and support for subsea restoration initiatives.
Our Series A Raise (circa Q1 2027) will support our “Growth Phase” for X-Lay as we pre-qualify our proprietary offerings for various use cases, preparing for Invitations to Bid (ITB) to Subsea Contractors for upcoming subsea pipeline removal projects worldwide.
We plan to strengthen our niche-focused IP with advanced pipeline strain management, alongside further R&D and lab testing of various pipeline types and sizes.
Restore Subsea is engaging with operators, contractors, and strategic partners to evaluate upcoming decommissioning campaigns focused on environmental decommissioning and subsea restoration, utilizing advanced X-Lay technology.
