Offshore Steel - High Yield Steel For the Offshore Industry

The offshore industry places high specifications onEuro Norm specification EN10225 and are versions of
the quality of carbon steel used in the manufacturethe standard construction steel grades such as S355,
of platforms and structures. With drilling rigs nowS420 and S460. The steel can be supplied in a
being deployed in some of the most inaccessiblenormalised condition or thermo-mechanically rolled.
areas, the need for high performing steel is nowHigher yield offshore steels are quenched and
even more important.tempered.
Offshore steel is a structural material which isTesting
engineered specifically for supply to the offshoreDue to the stringent standards set by the Offshore
industry. The material can be supplied as heavy platesIndustry, certain specific tests are normally subjected
and prefabricated sections and is used primarily in theto the material before approval. These can include
construction of the platform and superstructure oftensile and charpy longitudinal tests and stockholders
drilling rig platforms and general offshore structures.will normally arrange this through an approved third
The carbon steel is engineered to provide excellentparty testing house. Certain NDT (non destructive
high yield and tensile properties with good weldingtesting) can also be performed such as magnetic
(under conventional welding methods) and goodparticle inspection.
forming characteristics. The material also shows goodHowever, the most critical factor is the decision by
resistance to brittle fracture in both longitudinal andthe buyer on the suitability of the material for its
transverse and also has high resistance to lamellarintended use. This is where good working
tearing. Offshore steels benefit from low sulphur andrelationships between customers and steel suppliers
phosphorus content.becoming even more important.
Steels of this type are commonly supplied under the