One of the largest offshore oil platforms is currently being built, and it requires around 250,000 square feet of grating. Offshore oil platforms have a list of environmental factors that must be considered when selecting materials. The salty ocean air makes for an extremely corrosive environment. The slippery conditions cause their own unique set of safety concerns, and the risks of fires need to be kept in mind. While these are all important factors, perhaps the driving factor in deciding materials is the weight requirements.
FRP products are widely used on offshore rigs – specifically, phenolic pultruded grating. FRP is corrosion resistant and requires very little maintenance. The grit surface option significantly reduces the risk of slips and falls, especially when compared to the slip resistant surfaces of substitute products.
Because of the risk of fire, the grating is made with phenolic resin. Phenolic grating can handle high temperatures and flames while maintaining its structural integrity.
Offshore oil and gas rigs have to float. The lighter the rig is, the easier it is to float. As the rig gets heavier, it requires more and more engineering to keep it buoyant. This can add a significant amount of costs, so using lightweight products can save a great deal of money.
FRP is extremely lightweight and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The weight savings puts FRP in a class of its own in the offshore oil industry, so the customer knew phenolic grating was the right option. As mentioned in the last blog post, the contractor's experience with Fibergrate’s unmatched services and commitment to manufacturing and fabricating the highest quality products helped assure him that Fibergrate was right for the job.
Fibergrate products are Building the World to Last™. Lightweight properties, corrosion resistance, and high flame resistance are among many of the advantages of Fibergrate FRP phenolic grating – making it the perfect fit for the oil and gas industry.