Offshore staff
TOKYO – MODEC has secured approval from ABS for its new offshore repair method for FPSO hull structures, developed jointly with Toray Industries.
According to the company, issues can arise when trying to maintain facilities that are producing oil and gas offshore for more than 20 years without dry-docking.
If corrosion is left unchecked, hull strength will fall below the required level. However, repairs and reinforcements to the hull that involve use of open flames will cause disruption to production.
Also, bringing in the required equipment and materials is no easy task, MODEC said, with further challenges to surmount such as finding accommodation for specialists responsible for repairs, with onboard crew limits.
MODEC/Toray’s repair method involves restoring hull strength to the necessary level through application of vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding.
It involves fixing carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to the steel material of the hull in areas where strength has been affected by advancing corrosion.
The main purpose is to minimize the impact of repair work on production activity.
