Stauff launches pipe clamp at Offshore Europe 05

At Offshore Europe 05, held during September in Aberdeen, Stauff UK launched a pipe clamp to help operators solve crevice corrosion problems on offshore oil exploration and production rigs.

At Offshore Europe 05, held during September in Aberdeen, Stauff UK launched a pipe clamp to help operators solve crevice corrosion problems on offshore oil exploration and production rigs.

Since the 1980s operators have struggled with the problems of crevice corrosion when clamping instrumentation/lubrication pipework.

This is a localised form of corrosion usually associated with a stagnant solution at the micro-environmental level.

The most common form is oxygen differential cell corrosion, which substantially erodes the surface of the tube, and pinhole leaks can occur within 5 years.

The operator response to the problem has been varied and usually involving less than ideal solutions and costly replacement programmes.

Stauff UK have worked with the operators for some years to find an answer that will provide long-term integrity while maintaining practical application and commercial viability.

The first solutions were sought in a design that would attempt to exclude the ingress of moisture, but this was not a perfect answer.

During the last two years, development has focused on devising a material that includes a corrosion inhibitor, while maintaining the essential qualities of the standard clamp product.

This was finally achieved and with extensive testing, the results have proven impressive.

The material has been tested successfully in salt spray cabinet trials according to DIN 50021, to ASTM B117 and additional SO2 tests.

The material, designated PPAC and to be specifically marketed as the Stauff Anti Corrosion Pipe Clamp has already been welcomed by the oil companies and is available in both single standard series and twin clamp series DIN 3015 Pt 1 and 2 in metric and imperial sizes up to 25.4mm.

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