Challenge
A new Cortec® customer needed to store equipment for one year, on the deck of an offshore platform. Exposure to salt water spray, sand, and shot blasting operations, among other corrosive elements, made this an interesting challenge. An effective method of corrosion protection during this storage period was needed. Additionally, the customer required a solution that was safe and easy to apply for storage at their remote location.

Step by step instructions for mud pump protection

1. All exterior and accessible inside surfaces of the unit were sprayed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to a 15% concentration with water.
2. The crankcase sump and oil system of the DC motor were protected by adding 10% by volume of the oil capacity of VpCI™-329 Oil-Based Concentrate.
3. The standpipe manifold was connected to the chock manifold and the sand traps were cleaned out. Potable water was added to the cleaned out mud pit. VpCI 609® Powder was dissolved in water to a concentration of 5% and flushed through the system until clean. It was then drained and the solution was disposed of. VpCI 609® Powder is a biodegradable product which does not have special disposal needs.
4. Valves and valve seats, piston rods, and liners were removed from the pump. Valves and valve seats were washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to 15% with water. Inside surfaces of the fluid cylinder liner bushing and rod chamber were cleaned and internal surfaces were sprayed with VpCI™-369D Corrosion Inhibitor Lubricant. Piston rods and liners, liner clamps, and rod clamps were de-rusted and chemically cleaned with VpCI™-422 Non-Toxic Rust Remover, VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser and coated with VpCI™-368M Outdoor Corrosion Inhibitor. Piston rods and liners were covered with VpCI-126® Blue Film and sealed with waterproof adhesive tape before placing them in a storage box.
5. VpCI™-137 Foam Pads were placed on the suction filters and the ventilation side of the DC motor. The DC motor was then wrapped with VpCI-126® Blue Film, which was additionally secured with waterproof adhesive tape.
6. All exposed surfaces of the mud pump housing were coated with VpCI™-368M Outdoor Corrosion Inhibitor.

Start-up after storage
Before start-up, all outside surfaces were washed with EcoLine® Biodegradable Cleaner/Degreaser. All electrical motors were unwrapped and VpCI™-137 Foam Pads were removed. The valves and valves seats, piston rods and liners were cleaned with EcoLine® Biodegradable Cleaner/Degreaser and all surfaces were inspected.

Step by step instructions for b.o.p. unit protection

1. All outside surfaces of the B.O.P. unit were washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to 15% with water. The unit was disconnected from the choke and hydraulic lines. The packer and rubber were cleaned and protected with Cortec’s Re-Grip Rubber Revitalizer and were stored separately. The inside surface of the B.O.P. body was washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to 15% with water. Any existing rust was removed with EcoAir® 423 Non-Toxic Rust Remover, followed by an application of VpCI™-415 Biodegradable Cleaner/ Degreaser. The inside surfaces of the B.O.P. body were dried and lubricated with VpCI™-369D Corrosion Inhibitor Lubricant. The ram bodies were removed from the bonnets and washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to 15% with water, then rust was removed with VpCI™-422 Non-Toxic Rust Remover. The top seals and packers were removed from the ram bodies, cleaned and protected with Re-Grip Rubber Revitalizer. Rubber parts were stored inside a cool, dark, dry storage area. The ram bodies were dried and coated with VpCI™-368M Outdoor Corrosion Inhibitor and placed in a storage box. The storage box was covered with VpCI-126® Blue Film and sealed with waterproof adhesive tape. The inside surface was washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to 15% with water, then dried and coated with VpCI™-369D Corrosion Inhibitor Lubricant. The pipe plugs and protection caps were installed on the connection lines, and all outside surfaces of the B.O.P. unit and Ram bodies were coated with VpCI™-368M.
2. For the protection of Triplex pumps, VpCI™-329 Oil Concentrate was added to the existing oil to a concentration of 5% by volume. All exposed surfaces were coated with VpCI™-368M.
3. Gear Boxes were washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/Degreaser diluted to 15% with water, then protected by adding VpCI™-329 Oil Concentrate to the existing oil to a concentration of 5% by volume. Bearings and brake linkages were greased with VpCI™ CorrLube Grease and covered with VpCI-126® Blue Film and sealed with waterproof adhesive tape.

STARTUP AFTER STORAGE
All outside surfaces of the B.O.P. unit were washed with EcoLine® Biodegradable Cleaner/Degreaser and all surfaces were inspected.

Step by step instructions for top drive unit protection

1. All outside surfaces of the Top Drive unit were washed with VpCI™-414 Cleaner/ Degreaser in a 15% concentration with water.
2. The gear case and housing were protected with the addition of VpCI™-329 Oil-Based Concentrate at a concentration of 5% to the existing lubricant.
3. When the Top Drive unit is rigged down, rotate the gearboxes of the torque boost and handler. Completely fill (through breathing ports) both gearboxes with VpCI™-329 Oil-Based Concentrate.
4. Retract the link tilt cylinders fully, and spray the pins and bushings with VpCI™- 369D Corrosion Inhibitor Lubricant. All exposed areas of the pins were coated with VpCI™-368M.
5. The rail of the Top Drive was coated with VpCI™ CorrLube Grease.
6. The wire cables were coated with VpCI™ CorrLube Grease.
7. All electrical enclosures were protected by spraying exposed contacts with Electricorr ® VpCI™-238. VpCI™-101 and VpCI™-105 Emitters were inserted.
8. All exposed surfaces of the Top Drive body were coated with VpCI™-368M Outdoor Corrosion Inhibitor.
9. The rotating gears were coated with VpCI™ Corrlube Grease.

Startup after storage
Before starting, all outside surfaces were spray washed with EcoLine® Biodegradable Cleaner/Degreaser.

Reason cortec® was selected
Cortec® Corporation offered a preservation system, along with world-class technical, logistical support, and supervision of the entire project. The customer’s requirements were met for the protection of their offshore equipment, in this very corrosive environment.