Growing use of engineered plastics in oil and gas applications will see international polymer solutions specialist Nylacast exhibiting at the Offshore Technology Conference in May for the fifth year running.
Benefits of engineered plastic components that have become increasingly attractive to the sector include less maintenance and lower whole life costs. Polymers also weigh less, suffer from less corrosion and can deliver better performance than steel, aluminium or other metals. Tailored to application and working conditions, their durability and reliability mean they can contribute to greater safety in drilling and other dangerous environments.
Houston-based Nylacast will showcase its ability to develop bespoke engineered materials and component manufacturing capabilities for offshore, oil and gas sector applications with examples of a range of tailored components that have been developed for use in applications across the industry from subsea tiebacks through to ROV and offshore components.
Mussa Mahomed, Nylacast Group CEO, said: “The advantages that engineering polymers provide to the oil & gas industry have made this a significant and growing market for us in the US and further afield. As a market leader in offshore and subsea engineering solutions, our team work with leading oil and gas companies to ensure their success in projects involving polymer based materials and components.”
Case Study
In an industry beset by harsh environment, weight penalties and difficult maintenance, engineered polymers deliver significant advantages over metallic components, as demonstrated in three Nylacast launch and recovery system applications in the offshore, oil and gas environment.
- With low mass, Nylacast sheaves deliver similar load capacity to conventional metal sheaves without the need for paint or anti-corrosion protection. Nylacast sheaves typically weigh less than half their metal equivalents, and lower mass means less load on the A frame and increased lifting capacity.
- Driven by demand for reduced maintenance costs, Nylacast Nylube has been introduced for wear pads and sliding bearings, bringing bearing life 25 times longer than phosphor bronze, thanks to low friction.
- For rope spooling, Nylacast spooling shells provide a low mass alternative to steel for the consistent and effective layering of rope, with easier installation, lower weight and no requirement for anti-corrosion treatment.
Nylacast has been based in Houston, Texas, since 2010 in response to growing demand from the offshore, oil and gas sector for its polymer solutions, which combine durability with light weight and are tailored to individual applications.
Its team of engineers, designers and chemists work with corporations in the oil and gas sector from concept through research and development to engineering and testing components. The company’s R&D laboratory allows development of both engineered designs and engineered polymers bespoke to the application, environment and conditions.
Founded in 1967 in the UK, Nylacast has more than four decades of experience in the development of engineered plastics. The Houston arm of the business, located on Westheimer, opened in 2010 and the company’s international growth is accelerating.
With continuous investment in R&D, Nylacast is regarded as a world leader in the development of engineering polymer components. This level of experience, combined with the ability to produce high volume products and complex one-off components has seen Nylacast involved in a number of worldwide projects extending from the North Sea and Norwegian Continental Shelf through to the Gulf of Mexico and West Africa. Nylacast is exhibiting at OTC at booth 2341-J, found in the main hall. www.nylacast.com/offshore