Industrial Coatings for Oil & Gas | New Guard Coatings

Protective Coatings for Oil & Gas Applications

Oil & Gas structures application of coatings

Oil and gas environments place demanding requirements on protective coating systems. Steel structures, pipework, tanks, equipment and other assets can be exposed to moisture, chemicals, hydrocarbons, corrosion and harsh operating conditions.

Selecting the right industrial coating system is therefore essential for protecting assets and maintaining their condition over time.

New Guard Coatings supplies industrial coating solutions for demanding applications across the UK, including protective primers, anti-corrosion coatings and durable topcoats for suitable steel and industrial substrates.

The correct coating should always be selected according to the substrate, operating environment, chemical exposure, surface preparation requirements and manufacturer's technical specification.

Protective Coatings for Oil & Gas

Protective coatings can be used across a wide range of oil and gas infrastructure and equipment, including:

Structural steel
Pipework
Storage tanks
Processing equipment
Industrial machinery
Steel platforms
Fabricated steelwork
Plant and equipment
Industrial buildings
Ancillary steel structures

The coating system required will vary depending on the asset and its operating environment.

For particularly demanding applications, the complete coating system should be considered rather than selecting a single product in isolation.

Explore Anti-Corrosion Coatings →

Why Corrosion Protection Matters

Corrosion is a major consideration wherever steel is exposed to moisture and aggressive environments.

Oil and gas facilities can introduce additional exposure to chemicals, hydrocarbons, condensation, salt-laden atmospheres and other contaminants.

Without suitable protection, corrosion can affect steel surfaces and increase maintenance requirements.

A properly specified protective coating system can provide a barrier between the steel substrate and the surrounding environment.

Factors that can influence corrosion protection requirements include:

Moisture exposure
Humidity
Chemical exposure
Hydrocarbons
Marine or coastal environments
Temperature
Abrasion
Atmospheric pollution
Required service life

Explore Industrial Corrosion Protection →

Protective Coatings for Steel

Steel is widely used throughout industrial oil and gas infrastructure and may require a suitable protective coating system to reduce exposure-related deterioration.

Applications can include:

Structural steelwork
Steel supports
Platforms
Pipe racks
Equipment frames
Fabricated steel
Storage structures

The required coating system depends on the environment in which the steel will operate.

External steelwork may require different protection from steel located within an enclosed or controlled environment.

Explore Industrial Metal Paint →

Coatings for Pipework & Equipment

Pipework and equipment can experience a combination of environmental and operational exposure.

Depending on the application, coating requirements may include resistance to:

Corrosion
Moisture
Chemicals
Abrasion
General industrial wear
Temperature exposure

The substrate, operating temperature and surrounding environment should all be considered when selecting a coating.

Not every industrial coating is suitable for every pipework or equipment application. Always check the manufacturer's technical documentation for the intended use and operating conditions.

Protective Coatings for Storage Tanks

Storage tanks can require specialist coating systems depending on what they contain and the environment surrounding the tank.

The coating specification should take into account:

Tank substrate
Contents
Chemical exposure
Internal or external application
Operating temperature
Immersion requirements
Cleaning procedures
Required durability

Internal tank linings can have very different requirements from external protective coatings.

Where a coating will be exposed to immersion or stored substances, the manufacturer's chemical-resistance and immersion data should be reviewed before specification.

Explore Tank Lining & Protective Coatings →

Chemical Resistant Coatings

Chemical exposure can be an important consideration in oil and gas environments.

Where a surface may come into contact with chemicals, fuels, oils or other aggressive substances, the coating should be selected according to the specific exposure.

Consider:

Chemical type
Concentration
Temperature
Duration of exposure
Frequency of exposure
Immersion or splash exposure
Cleaning procedures

Chemical resistance varies significantly between coating systems.

A coating should not be assumed to be suitable for a particular chemical without confirming its performance against the manufacturer's technical information.

Explore Chemical Resistant Coatings →

Surface Preparation for Oil & Gas Coatings

Surface preparation is fundamental to protective coating performance.

Steel and other substrates should be assessed before coating for:

Rust
Corrosion
Mill scale
Oil
Grease
Dirt
Existing coatings
Loose material
Moisture
Other contamination

Oil and grease contamination can be particularly important in industrial environments and should be addressed before coating.

Depending on the substrate and specified system, preparation can include:

Cleaning
Degreasing
Mechanical preparation
Power-tool cleaning
Abrasive blasting

The required preparation standard should be established according to the coating specification.

A coating should not be applied over loose corrosion, contamination or failing existing coatings.

Read our Surface Preparation Guide →

Primers for Oil & Gas Applications

Primers can form an important part of protective coating systems for steel and other suitable substrates.

A suitable primer can provide a foundation for subsequent coating layers and contribute to the overall protective performance of the system.

Primer selection should consider:

Substrate
Surface preparation
Corrosivity of the environment
Existing coating
Intended topcoat
Required durability
Application conditions

Where a multi-coat system is being specified, compatibility between the primer, intermediate coats and topcoat is essential.

Explore Industrial Primers →

Industrial Topcoats

The topcoat provides the final protective layer and can contribute to the overall durability and appearance of the coating system.

Depending on the application, topcoat selection may consider:

Weather resistance
Corrosion protection
Chemical resistance
Abrasion resistance
Colour retention
Gloss and finish
Durability

External steelwork may require a topcoat suitable for prolonged exposure to weather and UV.

The specific performance of a product should always be confirmed using the manufacturer's technical documentation.

Coating Systems for Oil & Gas Assets

Many demanding industrial applications require a complete coating system rather than a single coat.

A typical protective system may consist of:

Surface Preparation → Primer → Intermediate Coat → Topcoat

The exact system will depend on:

Substrate
Environmental exposure
Corrosivity category
Required durability
Chemical exposure
Application conditions
Project specification

The coating system should be specified as a complete system, with compatible products used throughout.

ISO 12944 & Corrosion Protection

ISO 12944 is an important reference when specifying protective paint systems for steel structures.

The standard provides a framework for considering environmental corrosivity and the durability required from a protective coating system.

For oil and gas-related steelwork, the environment should be assessed carefully before selecting the coating system.

Factors such as atmospheric exposure, humidity, moisture and industrial conditions can influence the required level of protection.

Where a project specification requires a particular ISO 12944 corrosion category or durability classification, the proposed coating system should be checked against the relevant technical documentation.

Explore ISO 12944 Protective Coatings →

Application & Drying

Protective coatings should be applied according to the manufacturer's technical requirements.

Before application, check:

Surface preparation
Mixing instructions
Application method
Recommended film thickness
Temperature limits
Humidity requirements
Surface temperature
Recoat intervals
Drying times
Curing requirements

Industrial coatings may be applied using brush, roller or spray depending on the product.

Environmental conditions can significantly affect application and curing.

A coating should only be applied when the substrate and surrounding conditions meet the product's specified requirements.

Maintenance & Inspection

Protective coating systems should form part of an ongoing inspection and maintenance programme.

Regularly inspect coated assets for:

Rust
Peeling
Flaking
Blistering
Cracking
Mechanical damage
Exposed substrate
Chemical damage
General coating deterioration

Identifying coating damage early can help determine whether local repair or more extensive maintenance is required.

The appropriate maintenance approach will depend on the condition of the existing coating and the asset being protected.

Choosing an Oil & Gas Coating

There is no single coating suitable for every oil and gas application.

Before selecting a product, consider:

Substrate

Is the surface steel, another metal, concrete or another suitable material?

Environment

Is the asset indoors, outdoors, underground, offshore, coastal or exposed to demanding industrial conditions?

Chemical Exposure

Will the coating come into contact with fuels, oils, chemicals or other substances?

Temperature

What temperatures will the coating experience during normal operation?

Mechanical Exposure

Will the surface experience abrasion, impact or heavy industrial use?

Surface Preparation

What preparation standard can be achieved on the existing substrate?

Required Durability

How long is the coating system expected to provide protection before maintenance?

Application

How will the coating be applied and what environmental conditions will be present during application?

Common Oil & Gas Coating Problems

Corrosion beneath the coating

This can occur where corrosion has not been adequately removed or where moisture has reached the substrate.

Peeling or flaking

Poor preparation, contamination or coating incompatibility can contribute to adhesion failure.

Blistering

Blistering can have a number of causes, including moisture, contamination or unsuitable application conditions.

Chemical attack

A coating that is not suitable for a particular chemical exposure may deteriorate prematurely.

Mechanical damage

Impact, abrasion and industrial activity can damage otherwise sound protective coatings.

Understanding the cause of coating failure is important before selecting a repair or replacement system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What coatings are used in the oil and gas industry?

Oil and gas applications can use a range of protective coating technologies depending on the substrate, environmental conditions and required performance. These can include anti-corrosion primers, protective topcoats and specialist chemical-resistant systems.

What is the best coating for oil and gas equipment?

There is no universal coating for oil and gas equipment. The correct system depends on the substrate, operating conditions, chemical exposure, temperature and required durability.

How do you protect steel from corrosion in oil and gas environments?

A suitable protective coating system can help isolate prepared steel from the surrounding environment. Surface preparation, primer selection and compatible topcoats are all important considerations.

Can industrial coatings be used on pipework?

Suitable coatings can be used on compatible pipework applications, provided the selected system is appropriate for the substrate, operating conditions and required exposure resistance.

Can coatings be used inside storage tanks?

Some specialist coating systems are designed for internal tank applications. Internal tank coatings must be selected according to the tank contents, immersion conditions, temperature and chemical exposure.

Are oil and gas coatings chemical resistant?

Some industrial coatings provide chemical resistance, but performance varies between products. The specific chemical and exposure conditions should be checked against the manufacturer's technical documentation.

Is surface preparation important for oil and gas coatings?

Yes. Surface preparation is fundamental to coating adhesion and overall system performance. Rust, oil, grease, contamination and failing coatings should be addressed before application.

What is ISO 12944?

ISO 12944 provides guidance for protecting steel structures against corrosion using protective paint systems. It considers factors including environmental corrosivity and coating durability.

How long do protective coatings last in oil and gas environments?

There is no universal service life. Performance depends on the coating system, environmental exposure, surface preparation, application quality, maintenance and operating conditions.

Protective Coatings for Demanding Industrial Environments

Oil and gas applications can place significant demands on protective coating systems.

Correctly assessing the environment, preparing the substrate and specifying a compatible primer and topcoat system can help provide durable protection for suitable steel, equipment and industrial assets.

New Guard Coatings provides industrial coating solutions and technical information for demanding applications across the UK.