Choosing the Right Preservation Materials for Industrial Assets
Corrosion is one of the biggest threats to industrial equipment, whether assets are being stored, transported, commissioned, or temporarily taken out of service. Selecting the correct preservation materials is essential to prevent degradation, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure equipment remains ready for operation when required.
Every asset presents different preservation challenges. Environmental conditions, storage duration, equipment type, and accessibility all influence which preservation method will deliver the best protection.
At Kent Offshore, we help clients across the oil & gas, offshore wind, carbon capture, power generation, utilities and industrial sectors choose preservation materials that maximise asset life while reducing unnecessary expenditure.
Why Material Selection Matters
No single preservation product is suitable for every application.
Using the wrong preservation material can lead to:
- Corrosion during storage
- Moisture ingress
- Component seizure
- Contamination
- Increased recommissioning costs
- Reduced equipment reliability
- Premature replacement of expensive assets
A properly designed preservation strategy ensures equipment arrives on site, remains protected throughout construction, and is ready for safe commissioning.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Preservation Materials
1. Storage Environment
Environmental conditions are often the biggest factor in determining the appropriate preservation method.
Consider:
- Humidity levels
- Salt-laden offshore environments
- Temperature fluctuations
- UV exposure
- Rain and standing water
- Dust and contaminants
For example, equipment stored in a controlled warehouse requires very different protection compared to modules stored on an exposed quayside for several months.
2. Storage Duration
The required protection period influences both product selection and inspection frequency.
Typical preservation periods include:
- Less than 3 months
- 3–12 months
- 1–5 years
- Long-term asset stacking or mothballing
Long-term storage generally requires multiple preservation methods working together, including moisture control, vapour corrosion protection and external protective coatings.
3. Asset Type
Different equipment requires different preservation solutions.
Examples include:
- Pumps
- Valves
- Compressors
- Heat exchangers
- Pipework
- Instrumentation
- Electrical panels
- Motors
- Turbines
- Rotating equipment
- Spare parts
Internal cavities often require different preservation methods from external surfaces.
4. Future Accessibility
Some assets can be inspected regularly.
Others become inaccessible once construction progresses.
In these cases, long-lasting preservation materials that require minimal maintenance become especially valuable.
Common Types of Preservation Materials
VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors)
VCI technology releases corrosion-inhibiting molecules that form an invisible protective layer over metal surfaces.
Benefits include:
- Protects internal cavities
- Ideal for enclosed equipment
- No cleaning required before commissioning in many applications
- Excellent for electrical components and machined surfaces
- Suitable for storage and transportation
VCI products include:
- VCI films
- VCI bags
- VCI emitters
- VCI capsules
- VCI powders
- VCI papers
Desiccants
Moisture is one of the primary causes of corrosion.
Desiccants absorb humidity inside enclosed spaces to maintain a dry environment.
Typical applications include:
- Electrical enclosures
- Pipework
- Gearboxes
- Control panels
- Shipping containers
- Export packaging
Combining desiccants with humidity indicators allows inspection teams to monitor preservation performance throughout storage.
Temporary Protective Coatings
Protective coatings create a physical barrier between the asset and its environment.
These products are commonly used on:
- Flanges
- Machined surfaces
- Shafts
- Structural steel
- External pipework
Many temporary coatings are easily removable prior to commissioning.
Corrosion Preventative Greases and Oils
Greases and preservation oils provide excellent protection for:
- Bearings
- Shafts
- Rotating assemblies
- Valve stems
- Precision-machined components
These products are particularly effective during transportation and long-term storage.
Shrink Wrapping Systems
Industrial shrink wrapping provides environmental protection while allowing assets to remain accessible for inspection.
Shrink wrapping is commonly combined with:
- VCI protection
- Desiccants
- Humidity monitoring
- Inspection access points
This creates a controlled micro-environment around valuable equipment.
Combining Preservation Methods
The most effective preservation programmes rarely rely on a single product.
Instead, multiple preservation materials work together.
For example:
- External protective coating
- Internal VCI protection
- Desiccant packs
- Humidity indicators
- Scheduled inspections
- Preservation records
This layered approach significantly reduces corrosion risk throughout the project lifecycle.
Industry Applications
Choosing suitable preservation materials is essential across numerous industries, including:
- Oil & Gas
- Offshore Wind
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
- LNG
- Petrochemical
- Refineries
- Power Generation
- Utilities
- Marine
- Construction
Whether preserving spare parts, protecting newly installed equipment during construction, or placing an offshore asset into long-term storage, selecting the correct materials is critical to maintaining asset integrity.
Why Work with Kent Offshore?
At Kent Offshore, preservation is more than supplying products—we develop complete preservation strategies tailored to each project.
Our services include:
- Preservation surveys
- Preservation procedures
- Material selection
- Preservation product supply
- On-site preservation services
- Asset inspections
- Preservation audits
- Long-term storage management
- Rig stacking and mothballing support
By combining proven preservation materials with experienced preservation engineers, we help clients reduce corrosion, minimise lifecycle costs, and ensure equipment is fully protected from manufacture through to commissioning.
Conclusion
Selecting the right preservation materials is fundamental to protecting valuable industrial assets. By considering environmental conditions, storage duration, asset type and operational requirements, organisations can implement preservation strategies that prevent corrosion, reduce maintenance costs and improve long-term reliability.
Whether your project involves offshore platforms, carbon capture facilities, renewable energy developments or industrial infrastructure, investing in the correct preservation materials today can prevent costly failures tomorrow.
