The Problem
An offshore Oil & Gas facility required coating remedial work carried out on pipework located in areas where it was not possible to perform surface preparation by abrasive blasting due to wet and icy surfaces, and the costs associated with shutting down operations.
The Application
NanoPrep was selected as the preferred surface preparation solution as it provided an effective, low cost alternative to abrasive blasting in the form of a simple low pressure power wash (3500 psi) combined with power tool cleaning. In addition, it is suitable for a variety of topcoats and can be applied to rusted, damp or dry surfaces. After application, a final layer of PPG PSX 700 was applied.
Two coats of NanoPrep applied by brush at 75μm
One coat of PPG PSX 700 Topcoat applied at 75μm
The Outcome
Using NanoPrep for surface preparation proved to be a highly effective solution, delivering a rapid turnaround by eliminating the need for abrasive blasting. This allowed the customer to ensure long-term protection of the pipework without operational shutdowns whilst saving time and money. Six years on, the coating remains in very good condition.
Project Specification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas — Offshore |
| Application | Offshore pipework — confined areas |
| Surface condition | Corroded carbon steel — wet and icy surfaces |
| Surface preparation | Low-pressure power wash (3500 psi) + power tool clean |
| NanoPrep | Two coats applied by brush at 75μm |
| Topcoat | PPG PSX 700 — one coat at 75μm |
| Key requirement | No blast cleaning, no operational shutdown |
