Chockfast Orange
Shaft Bearing Chockfast Installation in Cobh Harbour
The Brief
IMS Ltd was engaged to supply materials and two experienced technicians for the installation and grouting of a compressor onboard the Captain Platform, an offshore oil platform operating in the North Sea. The Captain Platform is a key production asset, and the work formed part of a planned programme of maintenance and equipment installation to support the continued reliable operation of its processing systems.
With rotating equipment of this scale, precise alignment and a secure, load-bearing foundation are essential. The client required a specialist grouting solution and the technical expertise to deliver it safely in an offshore environment.
The Challenge
The installation took place entirely offshore throughout January, one of the most demanding months to work in the North Sea. Low temperatures, high winds, and restricted working windows created difficult conditions throughout the project. Epoxy grout installation is sensitive to temperature: too cold, and cure times extend significantly, which can compress already limited working windows further.
Managing that balance offshore, where conditions cannot be controlled and schedules are rarely flexible, placed additional demands on both the product selection and the team carrying out the work. Maintaining strict adherence to safety procedures and installation specifications, while keeping the work on schedule, required careful planning and an experienced crew.
The Solution
Chockfast Orange epoxy resin was selected for the installation based on its proven performance in offshore and heavy industrial applications. Its compressive strength, chemical resistance, and long-term durability make it well suited to the precise alignment and secure seating of rotating equipment such as compressors. Critically, its ability to cure effectively and maintain structural integrity in challenging environmental conditions made it the right choice for this type of offshore project.
The IMS Ltd technicians prepared the mounting surfaces and formwork before mixing and placing the epoxy resin. Attention was paid to achieving accurate equipment alignment and correct grout placement, ensuring optimal load transfer between the compressor base and the foundation structure. Approximately 100 litres of Chockfast Orange were used across the grouting and mounting operation.
The Result
The compressor was securely mounted and aligned, with the installation completed safely and without incident despite the conditions. The project demonstrated both the reliability of Chockfast Orange in a demanding offshore environment and the capability of our technicians to carry out specialised installation work to specification when conditions are at their most challenging.
If you’d like to discuss a marine or offshore installation, call us on 01202 632868 or use our contact form.
