MODEC, a builder of offshore oil and gas vessels, and Toray Industries, a manufacturer of membranes, together have developed a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) patch technique for repairs on floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) and floating storage and offloading (FSO) systems.

According to the companies, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the provider of classification services for marine and offshore assets, approved the technique for repairs with diameters of up to 300 mm due to pitting corrosion.

Source: MODEC

According to MODEC and Toray, the new CFRP patch technique only requires bonding prefabricated CFRP patch flat plates over pitting corrosion, thereby reportedly reducing the workforce necessary to perform such repairs and improving lead times.

The companies explain that the technique eliminates the need for vacuum pumps and other equipment, thereby streamlining the process of transporting reinforcement materials and construction tools onboard. Further, the technique, which eliminates the need for hotwork, promises minimal disruption in oil and gas production.