Advanced Insulation - Integrated Thermal Insulation and Passive Fire Protection Systems for the Upstream O&G Sector

Advanced Insulation specialises in the development, manufacture, supply and application of integrated phenolic thermal insulation and passive fire protection (PFP) systems for the upstream oil and gas sector. Advanced Insulation's range of products includes a range of subsea and topside products:

• ContraFlame® JF120 provides jet fire protection for up to 120 minutes (J120) and thermal insulation for both structural and processing elements operating in the temperature range from -196°C to +185°C
• ContraTherm® C55 and ContraTherm® C25 provide subsea thermal insulation for high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) developments, where it is typically applied to pipelines, Xmas trees, manifolds, jumpers and spools. ContraTherm has been used in subsea developments operating at wellhead conditions approaching 180°C and 250 bars

Thermal and passive fire protection for topside facilities

Advanced Insulation provides bespoke engineered thermal and passive fire protection solutions to upstream production facilities, including platforms and FPSOs. ContraFlame JF120 and ContraFlex® are used in mechanical and processing applications with either elevated or low operating temperatures (from -196°C to +185°C) as well as in structural and architectural applications with stringent safety requirements, including jet fire and blast overpressure resistance combined with thermal insulation requirements.

Jet fire protection system for the offshore industry

Supplied as a wet-applied fully bonded coating or pre-cast pipe shell or enclosure, ContraFlame JF120 provides an all phenolic, jet fire-rated system with low smoke and toxicity levels, and thus addresses passive fire protection, thermal insulation, corrosion protection, structural stability, as well as impact and blast resistance issues in one single product application.

The ContraFlame JF120 system is designed to provide an integrated solution to both thermal insulation (k value of 0.05 Wm-¹K-¹) and passive fire protection requirements for process equipment, riser protection / coating, separators, flare stacks and process pipework operating at temperatures in the range of +185°C to -196°C. Additional applications include under deck insulation / protection, provision of thermal shock protection for structural steel, e.g. LNG spills, and for personnel protection.

Flexible and fire-resistant insulation jackets

ContraFlex is a range of tailor-made flexible jackets designed to provide high performance insulation and jet fire resistance for process equipment where frequent maintenance access is required. The ContraFlex range includes simple, removable thermal insulation jackets that, in addition to fire protection functions, fulfil heat conservation, winterisation and personnel protection roles.

ContraFlex is tested in accordance with ISO 22899-1 standard, and has proven to be capable of withstanding jet fire temperatures of 1,350°C for two hours, with the back face temperature only rising by 122.9°C. Furthermore, it has withstood exposure to blast overpressures of 2.57 bar.

Thermal insulation systems for subsea structures

ContraTherm was specifically developed to meet the need for a resilient insulation material capable of tolerating the temperature and pressure extremes required for HT/HP subsea developments. The mechanical and physical properties of the ContraTherm system can be tailored to meet specific subsea development requirements. Typical applications include the insulation of subsea production structures such as Xmas trees, manifolds, jumper spools and associated equipment.

Thermal insulation foam

ContraTherm C55 insulation foam consists of hollow glass microspheres dispersed within a phenolic resin matrix. ContraTherm C55 is tailored to provide an impermeable and robust insulation medium for static subsea installations, wellheads and pipelines operating at temperatures up to 180°C and in water depths of 2,500m. The system can be applied fully bonded or as a pre-cast multi-layer moulded components.

ContraTherm C25 insulation foam consists of hollow glass microspheres dispersed within a silicone resin matrix, and provides the necessary degree of integrity and flexibility for use in dynamic as well as static subsea structures. ContraTherm C25 has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and robust mechanical structure, making ContraTherm ideal for insulation applications on subsea production equipment, including jumpers and spool pieces, flow lines and associated equipment operating at temperatures up to 150°C and in water depths up to 2,500m.

Anti-fouling underwater marker system

C.TAG/® is a high visibility, non-toxic, anti-fouling underwater marker system designed for greater surveillance and enhanced subsea monitoring, C.TAG/ base material is silicone, coupled with fluorescent dyes. The system is designed for operation in water temperatures ranging from -40°C to +100°C. C.TAG/ is backed by over ten years of sea trials , which showed zero deterioration and no difference in visual appearance. The C.TAG/ system is extremely durable and resistant to damage from sharp objects and impact. C.TAG/ is complemented by a wide range of fixing methods to suit all subsea equipment.

Global onsite application services

Advanced Insulation operates an onsite global supply and application service from survey through to commissioning, thus providing a single point of responsibility for the contract by employing experienced in-house supervisors with trained local applicators onsite. Onsite application training can be offered to nominated client labour forces. Advanced Insulation teams are currently carrying out contracts in Korea, West Africa, China, Italy, the US and the UK.

ISO-accredited manufacturing

Advanced Insulation products are manufactured in accordance with a management system accredited to ISO9001:2008, ISO14001:2004 and OHSAS18001:2007. The company is committed to quality in the manufacture, supply and application of its products and services. This commitment is backed by a corporate culture of safety and environmental responsibility and supported by a proven track record of experience of working with many major O&G operators and their contractors.