Novel mixing system solves problems ofshore

Hi-Tec Spray has supplied engineering services and technologies company Furmanite International with equipment to help provide an innovative service to oil rigs.

Hi-Tec Spray has supplied engineering services and technologies company Furmanite International with equipment to help provide an innovative service to oil rigs.

Oil rigs are fitted with pipes that take oil from the sea-bed.

The pipes can move around in rough seas and be damaged on the rig's steel-work frame.

The new service is a chocking device designed to prevent this potentially costly damage.

Hi-Tec Spray was commissioned to design and custom-make a plural component mixing system - called the Hi-Tec Hydra-Cat, which automatically mixes a liquid rubber material into the right proportions.

The two-pack mix is injected into large liquid-tight bags fitted around the oil rig pipes to restrict movement in even the roughest sea conditions.

This system replaces the use of wooden chocks that had the tendency to loosen and fall out with the movement of the waves.

Mick Warren from Hi-Tec Spray said: "The contract required Hi-Tec Spray to create a highly specialised piece of equipment to suit a particular purpose and was made even more challenging by the fact that the material injection had to take place using a remotely operated machine".

"We are delighted that Hi-Tec Spray has been able to help".

Dominic Dean, Furmanite's Materials Technology Manager, said: "Using a new system which incorporates Hi-Tec Spray's technology means that we have been able to completely automate the pumping and mixing process".

"Previously we had to mix the liquid rubber by hand".

"The new system is also entirely self-monitoring, allowing us to eliminate possible human error and reduce labour costs".

"As well as being used in the North Sea, we will be shipping one of the Hi-Tec Hydra-Cat based units to Azerbaijan to carry out work in the Caspian Sea".

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