Conventional supports can trap a thin film of salt water in a shaded contact. Once that film finds a coating defect, corrosion can start and remain hidden. The SmartPad seals the gap; the closed-cell gasket compresses into paint texture to block wicking; the all-non-metallic load path (FRP saddle + gasket + bands) removes galvanic continuity; and the contoured saddle spreads load to avoid harsh line contact that scuffs paint.
How it was installed and inspected
All work was cold on live lines. Crews set the saddle, tensioned bands with a preset tool, and trimmed the tails. For inspection, they cut the bands, lifted the saddle, wiped the surface, inspected and re-banded. In typical access, the open–inspect–reseal cycle took minutes per support, enabling supervisors to fold visual checks into routine rounds.
What was observed after four years
After four years in service, the operator reported measurable benefits at treated supports:
- Corrosion: Routine visuals showed no active corrosion at the pipe/pad contact. Paint touch-ups dropped, which was linked to the sealed interface, recessed strap grooves that kept pressure off paint edges, and there was no need for welding, drilling or epoxy.
- Noise and vibration: Quick sound readings suggested 6-10 dB(A) lower levels at treated supports versus nearby untreated ones under similar conditions. Crews also noted less rattle during sea-state changes.
- Work execution: No hot-work permits or cure times were needed, band/buckle engagement held preload, and there was no back-drive or pad creep when installed per procedure.
- Inspection culture: Faster open-ups shifted checks from indirect NDT (non-destructive testing) toward direct visuals, speeding decision-making.
Based on these observations, the operator extended SmartPad use during that fourth year, installing a second wave on other parts of the platform. Those supports are now two years into service, while the first set has passed six years.
Made for harsh environments
Early installs targeted hard environments: spray lanes near the produced-water skid, washdown zones by hose stations and sweating lines under HVAC discharge. Summer topside conditions were typically 85-95 °F (29-35 °C) with salt fog.
After the first dozen supports, more units were requested for a tight rack over a busy walkway, citing faster inspections and a noticeably quieter feel.
What the system is and isn’t
The SmartPad System is an interface fix. It keeps brine off steel, breaks the metal path and damps micro-motion to cut noise and protect paint.
It doesn’t replace proper piping design, guides, stops or spring selection.
Any structural-health effects require a decade or more of monitoring before conclusions.
Outcome and next steps
Today, six years after the first installs and two years after the second wave, the operator continues to track performance. Both sets remain in service, with corrosion resistance, faster inspections and reduced noise still reported. Structural benefits remain under study, and another update is expected in roughly two years as longer-term data becomes available.
