Solis® is the standard specification UV-stable marker solution used for Aquasign® subsea signage products. The marker includes special signal yellow dyes that don’t fade when exposed to sunlight, unlike fluorescent subsea marking systems. So how can UV-stable markers provide better value for money in the oilfield?
Here are the summary key savings that UV stability provides:
- UV stability: Guaranteed to withstand 24 months exposure, 2,000% improved weather performance
- Time: Minimum 50% saving on time to apply Solis® markers as no need to install or remove protective covers
- Money: Solis® is our standard specification. Using this over our historic specification, an immediate 10% saving can be achieved
Using Solis® saves your project a lot more than money. In this blog we talk about why UV Stability is important for offshore companies, and how our standard subsea marker specification is reactive to market needs and exceeds subsea marking requirements.
Contact us via the enquiries form on this page if you want to talk about the impact of UV stability on your next offshore project.
Why is UV stability so important?
Offshore equipment may be exposed to sunlight at a variety of intervals, and in certain climates, sunlight exposure can vary dramatically. The oil and gas industry often experiences delays or changes to projects: this can mean structures and components may need to be stored for extended periods of time. Fluorescent subsea marking systems will fade when exposed to direct sunlight during this time.
Fading and deterioration are the main factors that present UV stable markers like Solis® as the safest and most cost effective subsea labelling system. Visit our UV-stable page on our website for more information. A yellow background with black text is recognised as the optimal contrast for underwater identification. Should these colourants deteriorate prior to deployment, this can reduce a markers effectiveness subsea which can ultimately impact the time and safety of subsea operations.
Our industry-leading anti-fouling subsea markers are a premium product because of their guaranteed high visibility underwater for several years. The added benefit of UV stability topside like Solis® provides is a sign of a high-quality marker, designed to save costs and reduce subsea maintenance.
To sum up, non-UV-stable identification markers will need to be protected from sun exposure prior to deployment to prevent deterioration and safety implications. This is an additional step within the marker installation process that can cost both time and money.
What savings can Solis® bring?
In addition to the above-mentioned savings of Solis®, protective covers can incur additional costs. Non-UV stable markers will have protective covers on them to prevent sun damage, these need to be kept on right up until the equipment is deployed subsea to retain the markers integrity. Solis® has protective covers, however these are only needed to keep the marker clean during installation. They aren’t detrimental to the markers performance so can be removed at any time without the threat of deterioration. As these covers aren’t key to the products performance, Solis® markers offer a minimum 50% saving on the installation time over non-UV stable alternatives.
Alongside this saving, using Solis® on your project significantly reduces any health and safety risks associated with the removal of the protective covers subsea. This is particularly relevant on larger scale projects whereby covers may have to be removed during transportation or at dock side prior to deployment.
AQUASIGN has heard of cases where protective covers secured over the non-UV stable markers have been left on equipment by accident, meaning the markers can’t be seen on offshore equipment that is already subsea. More importantly, if the marker surface is not exposed, the benefits of the anti-fouling properties cannot be obtained. Marine growth can still attach to the cover and settle here. In this situation, significant additional costs would be involved to have the covers removed by either diver or ROV intervention.
Read our ‘Subsea Markers: Then and Now’ blog on our website, which looks back at subsea markers over the years and how innovation has evolved to meet market demands.
Solis® exceeds market standards
Underwater identification project requirements tend to state any product must be UV stable topside for a minimum 12-month period. We have qualified all our products using external third-party weathering testing in accordance with BS EN ISO 4892-2:2006, allowing us to exceed this standard and guarantee 24 months.
Industry standard specifications for underwater identification markers state that the materials must be stable topside for a minimum 12-month period. Read more about Industry Standards from our guidance document by registering for our Client Portal.
During a 40-month European weather test, we found out that Solis® was 2,000% more effective than a non-UV stable marker: the non-UV stable counterpart showed significant deterioration as early as month two (even earlier during Asian climate testing). Solis® showed no signs of deterioration after 40 months, that’s 3 years and then some, but who’s to say with no signs of deterioration, Solis® can remain UV stable for much longer?
UV stability isn’t the only benefit of Aquasign Solis® markers; read more about our key features on our website.
Solis® visibility and testing
Our Client Portal has a technical section where you can learn more about the visibility and weathering data for Solis®. These technical pages are housed in our Client Portal, which can be accessed after a one-time registration.
In our portal, we also have downloadable reports such as the European and Asian Weathering Trial Reports mentioned above that show Solis® has been tested in the harshest of offshore environments.