Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which major oil companies have used your repair systems?
   
   The list is extensive. BP, Shell, Total, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Nigerian Petroleum Company, Sasol, Hess, Maersk, Statoil Hydro, Gupco, Apache, Petro Canada & Occidental are to name just a few.
   
   
2. Are your repair systems recognized by any of the leading certifying bodies?
   
   Industry standards ISO TS 24817 and ASME PCC-2-2006. Also Guidelines for Repairs to Pipework – HSE 2005/038 Temporary/Permanent Repairs, Provision of Competence Assured Supervisors and Technicians SVQ3.
   
   
3. To what standards do the Technowrap 2K™ Repair systems comply to?
   
   Industrial Standards ISO TS 24817, Incorporating ASME PCC-2-2006, Guidelines for Repairs to Pipework – HSE 2005/038 Temporary/Permanent Repairs, Provision of Competence Assured Supervisors and Technicians SVQ3 A1 Assessors qualified and deriver training.
   
   
4. What temperatures and pressures can Technowrap™ repair systems be used for?
   
   Technowrap™ repair systems can be used for pressures up to 250 barg and temperatures ranging from -75°C to +220°C.
   
   
5. What needs to be supplied to WTR in order for a designed repair to be progressed?
   
   We will send you a W5 - Pipe Data Repair Sheet to complete which lists the necessary parameters for design-engineered in-house calculations to be produced. This design calculation defines the dimensions of the composite repair necessary to re-instate the integrity of your system.
   
   
6. What happens if I need to progress a repair say over the weekend?
   
   WTR provides a 24-hour response to both Technical and Application queries. There is a Duty Manager available on + 44 (0)1224 822822.
   
   
7. What materials has the Technowrap 2K™ systems been validated against?
   
   Carbon Steel, Cast Iron, 304 /316 Stainless Steel, Titanium, Duplex, Super Duplex, 6Moly, Cunifer and GRE.
   
   
8. Can the Technowrap 2K™ materials be flown out to a platform?
   
   Yes. This is requested especially where an urgent repair needs to be progressed offshore. We complete the appropriate paperwork accordingly.
   
   
9. What is the minimum landing area that is required to allow a repair to be installed?
   
   Normally 100mm is the minimum, but in some instances where restricted landing areas are of a concern, the Design Calculations can be amended & take this into account.
   
   
10. If the pipe work is in close proximity to other structures, what is the minimum distance around the pipe work can that you can install a repair?
    
    To install a full circumferential repair at least 50mm clearance is required to enable the required thickness to be installed and compressed with either stricture or the vacuum compression system.
    
    
11. What can be done if we cannot grit-blast the area where the defects are located?
    
    Where the client has concerns that the required surface preparation to Sa2.5 could have an adverse affect on the defect or underlying substrate, we advise that the concerned area be protected from blasting and only blast sound pipe work at either side, essentially, creating good landing areas for the composite repair. The parameters are then taken into account when the Engineered Design Calculations are produced thus ensuring the client's concerns are resolved. However, Technowrap repairs are also qualified for ST2 and ST3 surface preparations. WTR recommends that the surface should be prepared to Sa2.5. However, in special circumstance WTR will apply repairs to surfaces prepared to St2 and ST3.
    
    
12. What is the purpose of stricture?
    
    Stricture is not dissimilar to strong cling film and is used every two layers to provide compression of the Technowrap 2K™ material onto the repair area.
    
    
13. Is surface preparation necessary? If so, what standards should be followed?
    
    Surface preparation is necessary for WTR to guarantee the life of the repair. Primarily, the repair area should be blasted to Sa2.5, which is a cleanliness standard also providing a minimum profile of 65 microns. Depending on the process conditions surface preparations to ST2 and ST3 can also be considered.
    
    
14. Can Technowrap™ be applied if the pipe is leaking?
    
    No. If there is a through wall defect, the leak must be temporarily stopped, or the pipeline isolated before work can commence.
    
    
15. Say I have installed a clamp on the pipe and I need to extend its life, can a composite repair be used?
    
    Yes. We have designed repairs to totally encapsulate clamps and have also encapsulated redundant flanges, valves and other temporary repairs.
    
    
16. Do WTR have other types of repair systems that can be supplied?
    
    Yes. WTR provide a number of different types of repairs. Click here for more info.
    
    
17. Can only WTR Technowrap Technicians apply the 2k systems?
    
    No. WTR provide a Technowrap Installer two day training course to enable a client’s own Technicians to carry out repairs. Click here for more info.
    
    However WTR insists that only WTR trained installers apply Technowrap repairs.
    
    
18. How long will the repair last?
    
    Depending on the client’s requirements, the repair can be designed to extend assets lifetime for any duration specified up to maximum 20 years.
    
    
19. Is it only straight geometries that can be repaired?
    
    No. The Technowrap repair system is extremely versatile and can be applied on almost any complicated shape. Examples can be found in our Product Specifications & Case Studies section of our website.
    
    
20. Can coating and/or fireproofing be applied to the wrap?
    
    Yes, both can be applied depending on the requirements of the platform. A call to WTR will confirm the compatibility of your requirement.
    
    
21. What is the purpose of the Technowrap 3K™ primer?
    
    The Technowrap 3K™ primer allows for enhanced adhesion between the substrate and the composite repair.
    
    
22. Can the wrap be applied in all Geographical Locations?
    
    WTR provide a range of resin systems to enable the system to be used in high humidity, high ambient temperatures and low temperature climates, i.e. for all geographic locations.
    
    
23. What happens if my repair has been designed for say 2 years and I need it to last a bit longer?
    
    All our repair parameters are defined by the production of Design Calculations and as such can be re-assessed and up graded subject to further analysis. Many clients have obtained certified life extensions to there existing repairs.
    
    
24. What PPE is required when completing the workscope?
    
    All our Trained Technicians comply with the mandatory requirements regarding the materials used in the Technowrap 2K™ systems and these are identified in the MSDS and COSHH documentation which are provided in the Workpack for each workscope.
    
    
25. Is there a minimum thickness of your composite that is applied to a defect area?
    
    We apply a minimum of 8 layers to all repairs as standard. Subject to the design calculation results this minimum requirement may be increased.
    
    
26. Why is Technowrap™ so effective?
    
    Our composite repair systems have all gone through stringent testing and qualification programs to ensure they meet the standards and certifying bodies.
    
    
27. How do you remove Technowrap™ from a pipe?
    
    HP water-jetting is one of the methods of removal, but a call to one of our staff will provide you with full details.
    
    
28. Does the composite installation require additional heat for the resins to cure?
    
    Dependant on the ambient and pipe temperature, additional heat may be induced to accelerate the cure by using heat blankets, EX lamps or similar controlled heating sources.
    
    
29. What checks are carried out during installation of the Technowrap 2K systems?
    
    The Technowrap™ Technician will check the surface profile of the prepared pipe work to ensure that it is at least 65 microns (or as specified if surface preparation is any other than Sa2.5). They will also measure and record the relative humidity, pipe temperature and ambient temperatures throughout installation. Once the final repair has been installed, they will also take a Barcol Hardness reading to ensure the composite repair is fully cured.
    
    
30. How do you know what materials are used for each work scope?
    
    WTR resin systems and reinforcements have unique Batch Numbers so that there is traceability on all work scopes and materials supplied. These batch numbers are provided on the delivery notes and in the Close Out Report on completion of any repair.
    
    
31. What documentation do WTR provide?
    
    Depending on the Client’s specific requirement, the following is supplied:-
    
    - If a trained Contractor is carrying out the repair we will provide Design Calculations, Design sketch & Materials
    - If we carry out the work we will provide Design Calculations, Design Sketch, Materials, Work Pack (supplied to Client on request) & a Final Close Out Report (completed by Technowrap Technician upon return to WTR office).