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Industrial Coatings for Oil & Gas | Protective Coatings | New Guard Coatings
The oil and gas industry operates in some of the most demanding environments for industrial assets.
Steelwork, equipment, valves, infrastructure and fabricated components can be exposed to corrosion, chemicals, moisture, salt, high temperatures and challenging operating conditions. Selecting the correct protective coating system can therefore play an important role in maintaining suitable assets and supporting long-term performance.
New Guard Coatings supplies industrial and protective coating solutions for suitable oil and gas applications, supporting businesses with high-performance coating systems for demanding environments.
Protective Coatings for Oil & Gas Applications
Oil and gas facilities can contain a wide range of assets with different coating requirements.
Depending on the individual application, suitable coating systems may be considered for:
- Structural steel
- Valves
- Equipment housings
- Generators
- Transformers
- Fabricated components
- Pipe supports
- Metal enclosures
- Industrial machinery
- External infrastructure
- Maintenance projects
The correct system should always be selected based on the substrate, operating environment and expected exposure.
Corrosion Protection for Oil & Gas Infrastructure
Corrosion is a major consideration across many oil and gas applications.
Metal surfaces may be exposed to moisture, humidity, chemicals and, in offshore or coastal locations, chloride-containing environments.
Suitable protective coating systems can help protect compatible:
- Steel structures
- Equipment frames
- Support structures
- Platforms
- Handrails
- Fabricated components
- External infrastructure
The level of corrosion protection required will depend on the environment in which the asset operates.
Before selecting a system, it is important to understand both the operating conditions and the expected service requirements.
Surface Preparation Before Coating
Surface preparation is essential to the performance of any industrial coating system.
Before applying a protective coating, the substrate should be assessed for:
- Rust and corrosion
- Oil and grease
- Dirt and debris
- Loose coatings
- Moisture
- Salt contamination
- Surface damage
- Existing coating failure
Depending on the substrate and coating specification, preparation may involve cleaning, mechanical preparation or abrasive blasting.
A coating system is only as effective as the surface beneath it.
Salt Contamination in Offshore & Coastal Environments
Salt contamination can be particularly important for oil and gas infrastructure operating offshore or in coastal locations.
Chloride salts can remain on metal surfaces even when those surfaces appear visually clean.
If these contaminants remain beneath a new coating system, they can contribute to corrosion and premature coating deterioration.
Where salt contamination is suspected, appropriate testing and removal should be considered as part of the preparation process.
This can be particularly important when carrying out maintenance work on previously exposed steelwork and equipment.
Coatings for Valves
Valves are an important part of many oil and gas operations.
Depending on their location and intended use, valve bodies and associated metal components may require protection against demanding environmental conditions.
Suitable applications may include compatible:
- Valve bodies
- External metal components
- Equipment housings
- Fabricated assemblies
- Supporting steelwork
Before selecting a coating, factors such as the substrate, operating environment and potential exposure should be considered.
Different requirements may apply to a valve operating within a protected indoor environment compared with one exposed to offshore conditions.
Coatings for Oil & Gas Equipment
Industrial equipment can be exposed to a combination of mechanical wear, environmental exposure and industrial contamination.
Potential applications may include:
- Machinery
- Equipment housings
- Metal frames
- Generator components
- Fabricated equipment
- External panels
- Maintenance equipment
For refurbishment projects, existing surfaces should be assessed carefully before applying a new system.
Oil, grease, loose coatings and corrosion can all affect adhesion if they are not suitably addressed during preparation.
High-Performance Coatings for Demanding Environments
Oil and gas environments can place significant demands on protective coatings.
The most appropriate system will depend on factors including:
- The substrate
- Environmental conditions
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Corrosion exposure
- Chemical exposure
- UV exposure
- Required durability
- Application conditions
There is no single coating suitable for every oil and gas application.
The system should be selected around the specific asset and operating environment.
Maintenance Coatings for Existing Infrastructure
Existing infrastructure can require ongoing inspection and maintenance.
Over time, protective coatings may deteriorate because of:
- Environmental exposure
- Mechanical damage
- Corrosion
- UV exposure
- Industrial contamination
- General wear
A maintenance project may involve:
- Assessing the existing coating system
- Identifying corrosion and damaged areas
- Removing loose or failing material
- Cleaning the surface
- Addressing contamination
- Preparing exposed areas
- Applying a suitable maintenance coating system
The required preparation will depend on the existing condition of the asset and the requirements of the proposed coating system.
Coating Compatibility
When applying a new coating over an existing system, compatibility should be considered.
Before recoating, it may be necessary to assess:
- The existing coating type
- Adhesion
- Surface condition
- Contamination
- Compatibility with the proposed system
Where the existing coating is significantly deteriorated, more extensive preparation may be required.
Protective Coatings for Fabricated Steel
Fabricated steel is widely used throughout oil and gas infrastructure.
Potential applications include:
- Steel frameworks
- Equipment supports
- Platforms
- Pipe supports
- Fabricated assemblies
- External structures
Suitable coating systems can be selected based on the required corrosion protection and environmental exposure.
Surface preparation should always be considered alongside the coating itself.
Coatings for Offshore Oil & Gas Applications
Offshore oil and gas infrastructure can experience particularly demanding conditions.
Assets may be exposed to:
- Salt spray
- High humidity
- Wind-driven rain
- Continuous moisture
- UV exposure
- Temperature changes
- Atmospheric corrosion
These conditions can place significant demands on both the surface preparation process and the selected coating system.
The coating specification should reflect the actual environmental conditions and expected service requirements of the asset.
Choosing the Right Oil & Gas Coating System
Before selecting a protective coating, several factors should be considered.
The Substrate
What material is being coated?
The Environment
Is the asset located indoors, outdoors, offshore or in a coastal environment?
Expected Exposure
Will the surface experience:
- Corrosion?
- Moisture?
- Salt?
- Chemicals?
- Oils?
- UV exposure?
- Temperature changes?
Surface Condition
Is the surface new, previously coated or affected by corrosion?
Application Requirements
How will the coating be applied, and what preparation is possible?
Long-Term Maintenance
How accessible will the asset be for future maintenance?
Why Choose New Guard Coatings?
Oil and gas applications often require a considered approach to coating selection.
New Guard Coatings helps businesses identify suitable coating systems based on:
- Substrate type
- Existing surface condition
- Environmental exposure
- Surface preparation requirements
- Application conditions
- Required durability
Our team supports industrial businesses operating across demanding sectors with protective solutions for suitable applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What coatings are used in the oil and gas industry?
The appropriate coating depends on the individual application. Suitable protective systems may be available for compatible steelwork, valves, equipment, fabricated components and industrial infrastructure.
Why is corrosion protection important in oil and gas?
Oil and gas infrastructure can operate in demanding environments where moisture, chemicals, industrial exposure and offshore conditions can contribute to corrosion.
Can existing oil and gas equipment be recoated?
In suitable circumstances, existing equipment can be prepared and recoated. The existing surface should first be assessed for contamination, corrosion and coating condition.
Why is salt contamination important before coating?
Chloride salts can remain on exposed surfaces and contribute to corrosion beneath a protective coating if they are not suitably identified and removed during surface preparation.
Can coatings be used for valves and fabricated components?
Suitable protective coating systems can be considered for compatible valves, fabricated steel and industrial components based on their intended operating environment.
Industrial Coatings for Oil & Gas
Oil and gas infrastructure requires carefully selected protection for demanding operating environments.
From structural steel and valves to industrial equipment and fabricated components, the right combination of surface preparation and protective coating can play an important role in long-term asset protection.
New Guard Coatings supplies industrial and protective coating solutions for suitable oil and gas applications.
Contact New Guard Coatings to discuss your oil and gas coating requirements.
