Offshore projects today are demanding ever more reductions in both CapEx and OpEx. Tertiary structural products (eg handrails, gratings, ladders and platforms) made in steel may at first seem to be the lowest cost option, but steel is heavy and eventually suffers from corrosion which can be a significant drain on budgets and resources.
The benefits of FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) tertiary structural products for offshore oil and gas projects can be very significant, with substantial weight reduction, lower installation costs and minimal maintenance. But how can these recognized FRP benefits against steel be translated into actual CapEx and OpEx savings when used in oil and gas projects?
This aim of this paper is to offer answer to this question, by presenting a study of the projected Whole Life Cost and Value Proposition for the MARRS Offshore FRP Handrail using data drawn from the recent BP Clair Ridge Project.