Offshore oil

Offshore

Offshore oil and gas platforms usually operate within extreme weather conditions. Salt, violent storms and high humidity create climate conditions that only the strongest structure can withstand. The wear and tear of such conditions on these platforms means they require regular maintenance, and as part of this, new paint. Moving these platforms out of production to a dry-dock is very expensive, therefore most maintenance is undertaken on location.

Due to the location of many of these platforms, the thick walls of the support columns can react very slowly to changes in the ambient temperature and humidity, making condensation an ongoing problem. In order to prevent rust bloom, the relative humidity within the central support must be maintained at all times below 50%.

Such conditions prove difficult to regulate using normal air conditioning methods, so many clients call upon Polygon to provide a solution.

One way to tackle these demands is to ask for solutions that require  experience, equipment innovation, engineering expertise and of course the people to ensure success every time. The use of Polygon temporary desiccant dehumidifiers, heaters and air conditioners will provide the optimum environment to meet any maintenance requirements. The contractor can complete their project on time, without the threat of flash rusting, material blushing or weather related events. 

Offshore oil and gas platforms often require corrosion prevention work to the pipes within the support columns. This work involves shot blasting the steel pipes, which are sometimes contained within concrete cores followed by priming and painting. Additionally sudden weather changes might require the need for portable heating and cooling units to provide instant heating or cooling on demand. 

Procedure

In order to ensure that equipment is tailored specifically to each platform application, the following detailed information is necessary: 

• Size of the rig
• Coatings specifications
• External weather data
• Power location and availability
• Tank openings
• Site logistics.

Only when this information is compiled and analysed can the suitable equipment be selected. Polygon personnel can then engineer the equipment for specific applications to meet the desired specifications of the project.

Polygon technicians’ service and check the equipment, ducting and ancillary items prior to site delivery. The equipment is then placed in a designated area, positioned close to a power supply and set up to maximise the safe operation of the unit. 

Polygon’s state-of-the-art desiccant dehumidification systems are utilised to deep dry the ambient air which ensures that the moisture level in the space is low enough so as to reduce corrosion growth. Temporary cooling and heating equipment is provided to control temperature conditions within the confined space which can directly affect the curing of specific coating types. Polygon provides a turnkey solution with well engineered equipment offering an around the clock service that is unmatched in the industry.

Result

Polygon’s experienced and highly trained staff can consult customers on the best solutions for their oil and gas platform projects. By utilising Polygon state-of-the-art climate control equipment, conditions are closely controlled to maintain surface dew point and temperature throughout the re-coat process. This technology ensures that the contractor receives only the equipment required to meet the project specifications while maximising efficiency and guaranteeing the highest possible results.