Severe corrosion of the small bore 316L stainless steel instrument tubing was observed during construction and
pre-commissioning activities, less than a year after the FPSO was moored in place offshore in the Gulf of Guinea.
A total length of about 8km (5 miles) of 316 stainless steel instrument tubing had to be replaced prior to
commissioning and start up with a replacement cost of over $5Million.
A thorough failure analysis of the failed tubing was carried out and it was concluded that the failure was as a
result of pitting and crevice corrosion, but no stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The Materials and Corrosion Team
evaluated various replacement options such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
sheathed AISI 316L, high-pressure steel reinforced polymer hoses and various corrosion resistant alloys. Using a
life cycle cost analysis and proper consideration of lead-time requirement for the material as the basis for
selection, the fire retardant and UV resistant thermoplastic polyurethane jacketed 316L stainless instrument tubing
was selected and installed. Currently there is almost two years of good track record.