Rocol releases VGP-compliant rope lubricant
As an Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL), Biogen Wireshield was developed by Rocol specifically to meet the biodegradable definition, according to the OECD 306 test method.
The new lubricant was recently tested on Scotland-based Fugro Subsea Services’ ROVs which operate from its ‘Grampian Surveyor’ vessel off the coast of West Africa. The three-month trial period was designed to put the lubricant through its paces on umbilicals in the deepest operating waters (between 1,000m and 3,000m) – much deeper than the 100m to 200m depths typically found in the North Sea, where the company usually operates.
According to Fugro Subsea’s technical support engineer Andrew Morton, the trial was a success and therefore resulted in approved product status.
“Using a product, such as Biogen Wireshield, means we are able to greatly extend the lifetime of our umbilicals and we can avoid long delays for umbilical repair or replacement whilst also respecting the environments in which we operate,” said Mr Morton.
Prior to customer trials, product testing had already demonstrated zero galvanic reaction after 1,000 hours in salt spray tests, plus shear stability in the presence of salt water with little degradation.
Fugro Subsea Services Ltd supports a wide range of customers operating in the North Sea, the Mediterranean and Africa.
