The increased demand for LNG Carriers to FSRU (floating storage and regas unit) conversions, exacerbated by the disruption to established oil and gas markets, is expected to continue as more and more countries consider storage and regas units to supplement and strengthen existing shore-based infrastructure.
However, operators and yards should bear in mind that these floating oil and gas storage facilities, frequently built to NORSOK standards, are designed with much longer service intervals than conventional vessels, and therefore require more effective and reliable anti-corrosive coatings if these static units are to remain safe during their 25-to-30-year operational envelope.
In fact, it was for the internal carbon steel tanks and pipework of offshore vessels and installations that Nippon Paint Marine’s unique self-indicating NOA60HS coating was certified in 2020 by the Norwegian Technology Standards Institution as meeting the requirements of the NORSOK M-501 standard.
The NORSOK standards were developed in 1994 by Norway’s petroleum industry to ensure protective coatings were suitable in offshore oil and gas environments. The addition of NOA to the NORSOK M-501 approved product range marked a significant development in the structural safety of offshore vessels and installations, such as FSOs, FSRUs and FPSOs.
NOA60HS, which eliminates the risk of anti-corrosion coatings applied with low film thickness, a contributory factor in corrosion influenced structural failure, incorporates a unique self-indicating technology developed to prevent incorrect application. If the coating appears transparent, then film thickness is incorrect. When it is opaque, the specified film thickness has been achieved.
Correctly applied coatings to tank edges and corners, improves the structural integrity of internal spaces, providing greater protection.
NOA60HS is a superior grade pure epoxy formulated with special phenol-based resins to reinforce resistance to cracking especially on welds, providing greater resistance to saltwater and cathodic disbonding.
Applied in two coats at 160μm per coat, NOA 60HS meets all PSPC acceptance criteria for water and cargo resistance, adhesion, cathodic disbondment, pinholes and undercutting. It is easy to clean and has low emissions of volatile organic compounds.
Suitable for multipurpose use, its enhanced resistance to freshwater and seawater has led to the system becoming the number one coating for ballast tanks and void space protection.
