In the industrial setting of offshore platforms, environments such as oil and gas refineries, significant challenges are present due to extreme temperatures, moving parts, direct exposure to sunlight, UV light, and the presence of potentially explosive materials.
Under these conditions, ensuring maximum efficiency and safety is a critically important issue that cannot be underestimated.
In this article we discover why at the heart of this endeavor is the need to properly protect and lubricate electrical cables and wires, elements vital to the operation of these majestic structures.
Cable glands for offshore platforms
Offshore platforms contain many cables and wires that require adequate protection to ensure long-term performance in the face of potentially damaging factors such as harsh environmental conditions. Cable glands play a crucial role in ensuring that electrical systems on offshore platforms withstand extreme marine environments.
Cable glands provide protection in a variety of ways, including:
- Seal the inner and outer sheaths of cables
- They protect cables from fire and flames
- They waterproof the cables
- Prevent fires or electric sparks
- They protect against chemicals, UV rays, dust and other external contaminants
- They protect against pests, termites and other animals.
Challenges and requirements of cable glands
To meet the challenges posed by the extreme marine environment, cable glands must meet stringent requirements such as resistance to corrosion, water and moisture, and UV light, as well as a wide operating temperature range and strong fire and flame resistance.
Cable glands on offshore platforms must withstand harsh conditions and specifications due to the extreme marine environment. These requirements range from:
Corrosion resistance: due to high exposure to water
Water and moisture resistance: to prevent water damage or seepage
UV resistance: to prevent damage caused by direct sunlight
Wide service temperature range: to withstand the extreme temperatures found on offshore platforms around the world
Fire and flame resistance: to avoid the risk of sparks or fire.
Solutions used to lubricate and protect cable glands must provide all of these features to ensure complete cable protection.
All the benefits of proper lubrication
It is extremely important that all cables and wires are sufficiently protected to avoid unexpected downtime due to premature failure, equipment damage, fire and explosion. Sufficient protection can lead to increased safety of personnel and machinery, reduced repair and maintenance costs, reduced likelihood of disruptions in operations, and, as an overall benefit, increased profitability.
Lubricants and electronic protection solutions offer several advantages when it comes to protecting offshore platform cable glands. In addition to meeting the requirements listed above, they improve component life, keep key parts clean of contaminants, reduce weight compared to traditional solutions, and manage stresses exerted on equipment.
In this context, products from the Mascherpa catalog emerge as leading solutions for lubricating and protecting cable glands.
Special lubricants: the Mascherpa solutions
Mascherpa’s catalog offers a select range of industrial lubricants and electronic protection solutions ideal for extreme marine and offshore environments.
Our flagship brands Molykote, Huntsman Araldite and DOWSIL provide high-performance lubricants and electronic protection solutions that can be used in extreme marine and offshore environments.
High-performance industrial lubricants: which ones to choose?
An excellent example is Molykote 111, a lubricant and sealant ideal for outdoor equipment subject to harsh environments. It is compatible with plastics and elastomers, offers excellent water-washing properties for outdoor environments, and operates over a wide range of service temperatures. Our technical experts have successfully used this product for lubricating the cable glands of offshore platforms.
Another good proposal is Dowsil 3145, a silicone adhesive sealant that can be used to seal in and around electrical cables. It offers high temperature stability and high tensile and elongation strength. Because of the different characteristics of silicones that protect against moisture, chemicals and other potential environments, Dowsil silicones are a primary option for top production, maintenance and repair teams working in marine environments.
Other solutions: Sylgard.
Why choose Mascherpa
These solutions not only meet the essential requirements for use in extreme conditions but also offer additional benefits such as weight reduction compared to traditional solutions, mechanical stress management, and cleaning key parts from contaminants. Their effectiveness has been proven in numerous applications, including managing vibrational loads, reducing thread failure, lubricating bearings, preventing micro-welding, and sealing industrial ovens, solidifying their reputation in harsh environments.
In conclusion, Mascherpa’s innovative solutions for lubrication and protection of cable glands in offshore platforms are a key pillar in improving the safety, efficiency, and durability of operations in these extreme environments. Through an approach that combines advanced technology and technical expertise, Mascherpa is confirmed as a trusted partner for the offshore industry, leading the evolution toward unprecedented performance and safety standards.
