Military-Grade ENVELOP® Covers Protect Drilling Equipment From the Elements
High-tech protective covers reduce equipment corrosion by as much as 90 percent;
Saving long-term costs and repairs
EAGAN, Minn. (March 25, 2008) - In response to rising oil prices and increased pressure on petrochemical companies to maintain availability and performance of drilling equipment, Shield Technologies Corporation (Shield) has introduced Envelop Protective Covers (Envelop) designed specifically for use in commercial drilling operations.
Ideally suited for use in harsh and corrosive environments, such as the Middle East and off-shore platforms, the next-generation Envelop covers protect critical and expensive drilling equipment from the crippling effects of the elements.
"With oil prices at an all-time high, downtime due to equipment failure can cost companies hundreds of thousands of dollars an hour in lost production," said Warren Hoskinson, Oil and Gas Industry Sales Representative for Shield. "It is no longer acceptable or economically feasible for spare parts and back-up equipment to be exposed and susceptible the effects of the harsh coastal environments. When a piece of equipment is pulled by technicians, it needs to work. Typically, the investment in Envelop covers is recouped in the avoidance of a single downtime occurrence."
By virtually eliminating the penetration of moisture and humidity, the Envelop covers have proven to reduce equipment corrosion by as much as 90 percent. Lasting three to four times as long as vinyl alternatives, the Envelop covers provide a return on investment of 4:1 and as high as 15:1 versus traditional covers and chemicals.
Shield initially developed the Envelop cover technology in response to a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) request by the U.S. Navy in 2000, for a solution to prevent and address corrosion on the weapons and equipment on combat ships. With 25 percent of the U.S. Navy's fleet maintenance budget spent on preventing or addressing rust and corrosion, the military realized the impact Envelop Protective Cover could have on reducing and controlling equipment maintenance and repair costs. The covers are now available for more than 150 unique Navy assets on every class of surface ship and dozens of additional pieces of equipment for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and allied navies. More than 15,000 covers have been produced and used in the military and commercial fields.
"Field tests indicate that the use of an Envelop custom-fitted cover on a 25mm gun over a 24-month period has saved an estimated $30,000 in damage and maintenance costs," said Hoskinson. "Both the U.S. Navy and oil drilling companies are faced with a same overarching pressure for performance. When the gun or a motor is called for duty, it must be ready to operate at peak performance. The Envelop technology enables each to answer the call."
Hoskinson, a 30-year veteran of drilling and production, added, "One of the world's largest, state-of-the art offshore drilling contractors now depends on Envelop covers for its continued profitability - protecting its expensive equipment that waits in inventory," Hoskinson said. "And the customer's first validation of the covers is exceeding expectations for critical asset protection."
Protected by three patents, Envelop's four-layered design is waterproof yet breathable, allowing moisture vapor to evaporate from underneath and reducing rust. Envelop products are the only covers that incorporate special materials to absorb condensation trapped underneath the cover and hold it away from the metal being protected, until it evaporates it into the air. In addition, long-life vapor corrosion inhibitors released into the enclosed atmosphere prevent oxidation. By reducing the need for maintenance and repair, Envelop covers also improve readiness for the asset and its operators.
For more information about Envelop, its markets and technology, the research, or to schedule a demonstration of Envelop covers, click here to contact us.
About ENVELOP® Protective Covers
Envelop Protective Covers are the next generation of environmental and operational covers, replacing ineffective vinyl tarps and corrosion-inhibiting chemicals that contaminate the environment. Envelop covers were originally developed to protect military weapons and other assets from water, salt, humidity, sand and other sources of environmental degradation. Validated in the Navy's ocean-going environment, Envelop covers have proven to dramatically reduce maintenance time for military assets, and they are the only soft covers approved by the U.S. Navy for topside weapons and equipment. More than 14,000 Envelop covers are now used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and allied navies. They are also available for consumer and industrial applications such as oil and gas machinery, commercial shipping, amusement parks, airplanes, gun cases and cruise ships. Shield Technologies Corporation is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., with operations in the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan, Minn.
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