Metal fabrication is used in the oil and gas industry to create a variety of components, parts, tools, and equipment. These fabricated metal products are used for drilling operations, pipeline construction and maintenance, refinery operations, storage tank work, and other essential tasks.
Here we will discuss the top 9 applications for fabricated metals in the oil and gas industry.
Fabricated metals are essential to creating safe working environments in the oil and gas industry. To ensure the safety of personnel and equipment, custom-crafted metals, carbon, and fiberglass are utilized in platforms, rigging systems, walkways, stairs fencing barriers, and gates.
These structures must be capable of withstanding unfavorable conditions including salty seawater exposure to harsh chemicals, extreme heat or cold temperatures varying levels of humidity as well as other caustic elements that come into play in industrial settings.
Expert custom fabrication grants you more choices than ever before, from standard-fit sheets and stock panels to ultra-customized architectural pieces.
Through perforation and expansion, it's possible to control the characteristics of metals such as lightweight strength, desired texture, or specified pattern. Metals can also be formed with a range of gauges, strengths, and thicknesses for more precise management over any project - whether that entails constructing something new from scratch or merely swapping out materials in an upgrade.
Custom bar grating for oil refineries presents an array of options when it comes to walkways, as the heavy-duty, riveted, welded-steel, and press-locked types all offer remarkable strength and longevity while providing a visually pleasing aesthetic.
Catwalks and walkways are engineered to weather storms, prevent slipping, intercept dropped tools, as well as support the load of daily foot traffic. Solidified metal sheets which come in both customized sizes and specifications work perfectly for many catwalk applications. Perforated or expanded metallic material is ideal for these sorts of constructions providing a long-lasting solution that endures over time.
Perforated metals can present circular, square, or slotted openings, and expanded metals may stay intact while expanding up to 10 times their original weight per square foot without compromising strength. Amazingly enough, the latter type of metal remains rigid once it has been worked on!
With its corrosion-resistant and non-conductive qualities, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) is the perfect option for oil and gas drilling or processing facilities where fire prevention and resistance are critical. Its superior durability ensures optimal safety in hazardous conditions.
Open molding provides a strong, square, or rectangular-shaped structure that is balanced throughout. This type of process has been used for longer than pultrusion and comes in five different variations - F, O, P, V, and 1. With pultrusion however, the materials are reinforced with resin creating bars that produce a grid pattern instead. Both types can also be made to contain traction-aiding textures as an additional feature if desired.
In some of the most demanding industries, like petrochemicals and oil and gas, handrails are a necessity for any work that requires climbing. After all, within these businesses, everything you touch is at a great height - thus creating an even greater need for security measures such as handrails!
The power of custom-crafted metal is that it can be designed to the precise length and thickness required with features like corrosion defense, improved grip, or heightened sturdiness. Guardrails are not only legally mandated in numerous gas and oil drilling operations but are also suggested by safety professionals, insurance agents, and other specialists for maximum protection. Handrails likewise prove invaluable when added in these locations as they ensure everyone's well-being despite hazardous settings.
If you are in the oil and gas industry, custom fabricated metal or fiberglass options can help to resolve any issues or concerns. It is important to consider the various gauges, thicknesses and coatings that will best suit your project needs based on where they will be used as well as potential weather conditions that may affect them.
To ensure security in the vicinity of oil refineries and drilling operations, everything must remain firmly located. To prevent slip-ups such as sliding or falling, wire mesh can be a powerful measure to enforce that stability.
Metal mesh provides a reliable screen, guardrail, and sieve for several purposes, but the customer's requirements and creativity often determine how it is utilized. Varied types of metal mesh (also known as wire cloth or fabric) can be deployed to securely cover sizable and diminutive places where people work or congregate, or equipment is stored.
Metal fabric can be made from nearly all common metals:
With the multi-use wire mesh, you have a plethora of options when choosing the size, count and weave. The mesh hole diameter can differ from microscopic measurements to several whole inches, with wire counts expressed in wires per linear foot. A higher number of wires yields smaller holes while lower numbers mean bigger ones; meanwhile, your choices for weaving are bountiful!
Roaming around the convoluted pathways of an oil rig or a plant, it's vital to have robust gates that can safely channel as well as inhibit people and objects. A solid metal gate is ideal for any spot where you need to end or adjust your course.
No matter the size, shape, or material preferences you have in mind, our custom-fabricated metal gates can accommodate them all. Whether it's a heavy-gauge high-security gate that is needed to close off restricted areas, or perhaps something small and light for an area with higher traffic flow--we make sure your needs are covered. Each of our metal gates is made to exact specifications so you get exactly what you're looking for!
The endless possible creations and projects that can be realized through fabricated metal are virtually limitless. From the catwalks, platforms, stairs and other elements in a plant to specialized works of art commissioned by companies across industries like oil and gas - metal and fiberglass fabrication holds immeasurable potential for practical use as well as aesthetic enhancement. Allow this versatile material to work its magic on your business today!
At Cypress Fabrication, we have depths of experience fabricating with different applications for our clients in the oil and gas industry.
We work with all types of companies in the oil and gas industry and can help you with projects big and small. If you’re looking for someone to partner with on your next project, give us a call. We’d be happy to provide you with a quote for our fabrication services.
At Cypress Fabrication Services, we are a leading ASME-certified metal fabrication company with over twenty years of experience in the oil and gas industry. We specialize in custom metal fabrication for upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. All of our products are designed and fabricated to meet your specific process requirements, as well as various industry standards including our DNV skid certification, ABS certification, ASME pressure vessels, and AISC fabrication.