Sweating your assets: How smarter operations extend gas networks' lifespans

Across the UK, gas networks have been tasked with a major challenge: maintain a high-performing, resilient network on a budget that doesn’t allow for sweeping infrastructure upgrades. Under the RIIO-2 regulatory framework, networks are expected to keep customers safe, deliver service reliably, and support the broader energy transition, all while demonstrating cost efficiency and value. 

That would be challenging under the best of circumstances, but with much of the UK’s gas infrastructure approaching or exceeding its intended lifespan, and capital budgets under scrutiny, gas utilities must look beyond replacement and focus on what they can control: operational performance. 

Replacing assets might not be viable, but smarter operations—powered by real-time visibility and intelligent data—are well within reach, and they may just be the key to future-proofing the gas networks of today. 

The case for smarter asset management

Asset management is no longer just a maintenance function, it’s a strategic imperative. The decisions made on the frontlines of gas networks directly impact not just operational outcomes but also long-term asset health and regulatory performance. 

Under RIIO-2, Ofgem’s current price control regime, networks are incentivised to deliver services more efficiently, while penalised for underperformance, especially in areas like reliability, emergency response, and customer service. Utilities are expected to maximise value from their existing infrastructure assets while still avoiding significant new investments.

But ageing infrastructure creates a ticking clock: corroded pipes, degraded components, and fragile network segments increase the likelihood of gas escapes, service disruptions, and environmental risks. 

This puts operators in a difficult spot, especially those relying on traditional, reactive models of work. In such environments:

• Leakages become more frequent due to delayed maintenance or incomplete job execution

• Repair costs escalate as minor faults snowball into major issues 

• Penalties are more likely, especially during visible service failures like gas escapes, evacuations, or prolonged outages

Why field intelligence is the missing link

When utilities think about asset optimisation, the focus often goes to engineering strategies, long-term modelling, and procurement. But what’s often overlooked is how much field intelligence quality influences asset longevity. 

Many utilities still rely on outdated practices: paperwork-based job management, manual risk assessments, siloed team communications, and inconsistent workflows. These practices increase the risk of jobs being rushed, done out of sequence, or missed entirely, especially under resource constraints. 

Each instance of poor coordination or communication might seem small: a delayed valve check here, a missed photo log there, but over time, they add up to:

• Preventable damage during excavation or reinstatement

• Incomplete repair documentation leading to asset deterioration

• Missed signs of degradation or structural compromise

• Rework that further stresses fragile infrastructure and strained field teams

Field teams are the heart of every utility organisation. If they’re not empowered with clear processes, real-time guidance, and accountability tools, the network suffers, and the lifespan of assets shortens. 

How smarter field operations help

Digitising field operations is one of the fastest ways to impact asset health. Platforms like FYLD give utilities the tools to deliver better work, faster, and with less risk, all while creating a digital thread that connects field activity directly to operational planning and regulatory reporting. 

Here’s how smarter field execution directly supports asset optimisation:

• First-time-right certainty:
  Structured digital workflows ensure that every job is completed as intended, not rushed, skipped, or guessed. Crews have access to digital job insights, safety assessments, and embedded guidance in the palm of their hand. When jobs are done right the first time, rework is reduced and assets are protected, while simultaneously freeing up your crews to work on the next project. 

• Real-time job tracking and remote oversight:
  Supervisors and planners can view progress in real time, without having to visit the site. They can intervene when a job stalls, provide guidance, or redeploy teams based on evolving risks. This accelerates execution while reducing exposure to operational risk and safety hazards. 

• Evidence-backed maintenance history:
  FYLD captures timestamped, geotagged photos, project evidence, and video risk assessments, creating a living record of every job completed. This historical insight supports predictive maintenance, more accurate investment planning, and audit-readiness.

• Prioritised risk mitigation:
  Real-time data on asset condition and worksite risk helps managers focus limited resources where they matter most, whether that’s high-pressure pipelines near urban areas or deteriorating infrastructure in remote locations. 
  
  

FYLD’s role in optimising UK gas assets

FYLD is already working with major UK gas utilities to close the gap between field execution and asset performance. Our clients are using FYLD to:

• Boost network resilience by improving first-time fix rates and reducing worksite delays

• Reduce unplanned outages by proactively surfacing risks before they escalate

• Cut operational costs through faster job turnaround, better crew utilisation, less rework, and less admin time

Utilities using FYLD have significantly reduced their administrative burdens, freeing supervisors to spend more time coaching and less time chasing paperwork. One of our utility partners reduced its rework by up to 15%, and another saw a 50% reduction in time to resolve job blockers. 

In all cases, better field visibility and structured workflows meant their assets were better protected, with data to prove it.

Sweat the asset, not the team

Asset sweating doesn’t have to mean pushing infrastructure, or people, to the point of failure. With the right tools, gas networks can stretch the value of their existing assets without increasing operational strain. 

FYLD enables that by making work simpler, safer, and smarter. In doing so, we help gas networks thrive under pressure, delivering more for less, without sacrificing safety or compliance. 

If your network is feeling the pressure of ageing assets and shrinking budgets, it’s time to look at where you can make the biggest difference—in the field. 

Let’s talk about how FYLD can help you protect what matters most and get the most from every asset.