Over the years, Corroserve was been awarded many pipe lining contracts for platforms in the North Sea. In 2013, we were commissioned for a project to provide corrosion protection for the internal and external corrosion protection of a 36” diameter caisson; weighing approximately 27 tonnes, and measuring 30 metres in length, thanks to our outstanding track record for this type of work, and the premature failure of other coatings on similar structures.

Following just over 10 years in service, we were thrilled to recently hear back from the client on the excellent condition of the caisson, as a result of the work we previously carried out. We were informed the coating has performed exceptionally in its arduous marine environment, and we’re confident the coating will continue to last, over many more years. We are extremely proud to say that many of the caissons, pipes and manifolds coated and corrosion protected 20 years ago, remain in service today.

Initially, the project to protect the Caisson, was carried out in our engineering workshop, at our Leeds Head Office. A specialist corrosion protection coating system using several Corrocoat products was proposed, and used to meet the client’s demanding specification.

The caisson was first fully grit blasted internally and externally to ISO 8501-1 cleanliness standard SA 2 ½. The internal surfaces were coated with Corroglass 600 series – a glass flake vinyl ester acrylic co-polymer to 1500 microns using our own specially developed internal pipe spraying equipment. Corroglass 600 series was chosen as it gives excellent resistance to chemical attack in immersed environments.

The external surfaces were coated with: two coats of Plasmet ZF – a surface tolerant two-pack epoxy coating, followed by Corrocoat Zip E – a single-coat epoxy glassflake coating. Finally, a topcoat of Corrothane AP-1 was applied to give a colour retentive weatherproof gloss finish. By specifying and applying the coating system, Corroserve was able to guarantee excellent long term corrosion protection in the demanding environment.

A spokesman for the client said: “We chose the Corroserve solution for this project because of their proven ability to provide the protection required, at a competitive price and within stringent delivery times. The consistency, durability and longevity of the finished caisson is now evidenced by the fact that we have subsequently awarded Corroserve several repeat projects.”

We look forward to keeping in touch with the client and continuing to hear about the excellent performance of the protective coating system and in turn the extended service life of the caisson.

Caisson before corrosion protection                                                      Caisson following corrosion protection