Benefits of fabrication in the oil and gas industry

The oil and gas sector is highly dependent on fabrication for its operations. Fabricated steel is often the material of choice to create the necessary equipment and structures to explore, extract, and refine the resources. Read on to learn the key benefits of fabrication in this industry as well as some specific examples of applications that cannot be produced without the work of high-quality welding and fabrication. 

Fabrication benefits in the oil and gas industry

Quicker construction process 

Fabrication processes are completed in a controlled environment, which means external variables that can slow down construction when it is done outside on-site, like the weather, are not a factor. Also, manufacturing parts in a separate location means certain jobs can be carried out at the same time. This significantly shortens the timeline of a project and offers more flexibility for fabricators to perfect the requirements with exact precision and detailed accuracy. 

High quality workmanship and results

When you use experienced industry experts for your fabrication you can be assured that all our work adheres to quality assurance standards. All processes are carried out under ideal working conditions and equipment is effectively tested and evaluated before being installed. So, if you needed threaded steel pipe for example, we would make sure that the finished product is tested to ensure quality and longevity in its real-world application. 

Testing ensures that any defects are found and fixed before the product is installed and causes any downtime or safety problems. The oil and gas industry is a complex one with strict health and safety guidelines, so the last thing a business working in this sector needs is faulty equipment from poor fabrication. 

Cost effective 

Fabrication is cost effective for the oil and gas industry because it ensures an efficient workflow. Engineers who understand the industry in detail will know the type of work that needs to be carried out for things like pipeline fabrication and storage tank fabrication for instance, which businesses in that line of work often require. This helps to make the process smoother with no labour hours or materials cost being wasted unnecessarily – it is fully streamlined. 

How is fabrication used in the oil and gas industry?

Infrastructure 

Whilst the foundations and requirements might be quite similar for oil and gas infrastructure, it can vary for different operations. This is based on how complex a project is, ranging from single on-land oil rigs to large offshore platforms that need processing facilities and employee housing. So, the demands for fabrication can change depending on the scale of what the business needs. The below examples are oil platforms that are made using custom fabrication materials like steel floors, legs, girders, hollow sections and more. 

• Drill ships 
• Gravity-based structures 
• Jack-up drilling rigs 
• Spar platforms 
• Compliant towers 
• Tension-leg platforms 
• Fixed platforms 
• Floating production systems 
• Semi-submersible platforms 

Equipment 

Like with infrastructure, there is always a need for perfectly fabricated parts to be used in oil and gas equipment. There are a number of different processes within the industry with extracting and drilling, and refining and storing being just a few examples. These processes all need specialised machinery and components to work properly and reliably, which makes accurate fabrication essential. You can find instances of metal fabrication in equipment like: 

• Pressure vessels 
• Conveyors 
• Storage tanks 
• Air coolers 
• Pipes, valves, and fittings 
• Heat exchangers 
• Evaporators 
• Oil and gas separators 

Conclusion 

If your business is in the oil and gas industry and you need help with fabrication projects that meet specific and detailed requirements, FEM can help. Our team of experienced engineers have extensive knowledge and skills in creating bespoke metal parts for clients in this industry and have a clear understanding of the type of work involved. Contact us today to discuss your needs or if you have any questions about how our services can help you.