MacDermid Offshore Solutions, the leading provider of high-performance and environmentally-friendly products for the offshore oil and gas industry, has expanded its product line with the release of Oceanic Environmental Control Fluid (ECF)
The fluid is designed to meet the most stringent environmental control standards in the world for the foreseeable future: OCNS Class E for UK, Yellow Y1 for use in Norway and be fully compliant with all OSPAR countries and U.S. Gulf of Mexico general permit requirements.
The new water-based fluid complements MacDermid’s existing product lines and offers outstanding technical performance, which exceeds stringent API 17F and OEM requirements. The technology features forward and reverse material compatibility, which delivers outstanding lubrication, anti-wear properties, anti-corrosion properties, broad tolerance to brines, seawater contamination and microbial resistance. Oceanic ECF is a fluid that is robust enough to last 20 to 30 years inside a subsea system and when discharged, will biodegrade completely within 28 to 60 days. This ensures no persistent chemicals get left behind.
Steve Racca, general manager, said, “As environmental sustainability measures become an increasingly prevalent area of focus for offshore production activities, this fluid will meet the enhanced requirements of our customers and their regulators to continue to reliably operate hydraulically controlled subsea equipment. Our market has not seen innovation like this since the original introduction of water-based fluids in the 1980s.”
Eric Handley, MacDermid’s vice president of technology, said, “Oceanic ECF's functionality is the definition of sustainability, and will be the fluid of the future for the global offshore oil and gas industry. With the addition of Oceanic ECF to our existing product line, MacDermid is poised to meet an even wider range of customer needs, presenting a safe and sustainable solution for projects anywhere in the world. Its performance characteristics recommend it as both a control fluid and storage fluid. Oceanic ECF can withstand temperatures up to 160 degrees Celsius and as low as -25 degrees Celsius. This broad range meets the requirements of 95% of offshore wells worldwide.”
Handley added, “Oceanic ECF avoids the need to change fluids within systems, which eliminates complications with future permitting. It is also legacy compatible, providing the longest-term solution for sustainability and future regulatory issues. Customers don't need to change equipment, valves or designs, even when switching existing products to this fluid. They can use Oceanic ECF to top off existing systems safely and efficiently.”
