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Reviving Glory: How Jotun Marathon 550 Helps Restore the 30-Year-Old RigWell-Safe Guardian's Shine

Updated: Mar 21

Project Overview:

The Well-Safe Guardian, she is an Earl & Wright Sedco 700 series drilling unit, and has been a stalwart in offshore operations since its delivery in 1985. With over three decades of service, this vessel has navigated waters with depths of up to 460 meters, undertaking a multitude of tasks including exploration drilling, development drilling, HPHT operations, well testing, and plug & abandon operations.

Currently owned by Well-Safe Solutions, the rig is undergoing a significant refurbishment to transition into a Well plug & abandon platform.

Arriving at Nigg Energy Park on the Cromarty Firth in August 2019, the Well-Safe Guardian embarked on a transformation journey. Spearheaded by Access & Coatings, a division of Global Energy Group, the fabric maintenance contract is underway, ensuring that every aspect of the rig receives the attention it deserves.


Refurbishment Specifications:

  • Full repair of the box girder and underside of the helideck, covering a total area of 2950 m².

  • Restoration work on the VDM and columns, encompassing a total area of 4800 m².

As the Well-Safe Guardian undergoes this comprehensive refurbishment, its legacy of reliability and resilience is set to continue, bolstered by the expertise and dedication of the teams involved.


Why were these coatings selected?

In the meticulous process of selecting coatings for the refurbishment of the Well-Safe Guardian, each choice was made with precision and purpose. Senior Coating Inspector, Keith Bauer from Global Energy Group, sheds light on the rationale behind the selection:

"The applicator loved the ability to apply a zinc-rich product on mechanically prepared steel with a fantastic finish," Bauer affirms. This highlights the importance of corrosion protection, especially on surfaces subject to rigorous conditions at sea.

Bauer further emphasizes, "Barrier Smart Pack and Hardtop Optima were both sprayed rather than brush/roller application, and we were very happy with both items on thicknesses, workability, no dry spray, and a good firm closed coating." This underscores the efficiency and effectiveness of spray application, ensuring uniform coverage and optimal performance.


The coatings chosen for the Well-Safe Guardian's refurbishment include:

  1. Barrier Smart Pack: This zinc-rich product offers superior corrosion protection, particularly on mechanically prepared steel surfaces. Its application ensures a robust barrier against the elements, extending the longevity of the rig. (https://www.nextgen2u.com/product-page/barrier-smart-pack)

  2. Jotamastic 90: Renowned for its durability and adhesion properties, Jotamastic 90 provides a reliable defense against corrosion, ideal for the demanding marine environment. (https://www.nextgen2u.com/product-page/jotamastic-90)

  3. Hardtop Optima: With its advanced formulation, Hardtop Optima delivers exceptional resistance to abrasion and chemicals, safeguarding the rig against wear and tear. (https://www.nextgen2u.com/product-page/hardtop-optima-polysiloxane-topcoat)

  4. Marathon 550: Engineered for long-term protection, Marathon 550 offers unparalleled durability and weather resistance, ensuring the Well-Safe Guardian remains resilient in the face of harsh offshore conditions.

The meticulous selection of these coatings reflects a commitment to excellence and reliability, ensuring that the Well-Safe Guardian emerges from its refurbishment with enhanced resilience and longevity.

Summary of project:

In reflection, the project stands as a testament to successful collaboration and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the readiness of the Well-Safe Guardian for its renewed offshore endeavors. Key highlights of the project include:

  • The pivotal selection of a zinc-rich product for application on mechanically prepared steel surfaces underscored the commitment to robust corrosion protection. This strategic decision not only safeguards the structural integrity of the rig but also extends its operational lifespan in demanding marine environments.

  • The imperative role of fast drying times cannot be overstated, particularly in the context of large-scale projects. By prioritizing coatings with rapid drying properties, adherence to project timelines was upheld, ensuring efficient progress and timely completion.

In essence, the project's success is a testament to the meticulous planning, expertise, and dedication of all involved parties. With the Well-Safe Guardian fortified by superior coatings and meticulous refurbishment, it stands poised to embark on a new chapter of offshore excellence.


Client feedback:

What Senior Coatings inspector in Global Energy Group, Keith Bauer, has to say: Keeping the project on schedule: The applicators are mainly happy due to the products performing as promised and therefore keeping them on their time schedule. If anything fell behind, it was not down to our part of delivery or the coatings not performing as instructed. If anything, when times were challenging on other areas, the Coating Advisor from Jotun with 20 years of experience in these types of projects), was key in helping everyone work together and come to a solution.


Product performance: Marathon 550

Jotun Marathon 550 played a pivotal role in this expansive blasting and coating project, characterized by its versatility across multiple work fronts necessitating different paint systems. RODUCT Marathon 550 is surface tolerant for early immersion, and can be applied on damp surfaces. It is high build and abrasion resistant, low VOC and made for efficient application.


Despite being a newcomer to our repertoire, the introduction of Marathon 550 to coat the external columns and VDMs proved to be a seamless transition, even amidst apprehensions stemming from familiarity with alternative products. Our seasoned applicators, accustomed to conventional methods, were pleasantly surprised by Marathon 550's performance and unanimously commend its attributes:

  • Ease of Mixing: The Marathon 550 facilitated effortless mixing, streamlining the preparatory phase and enhancing workflow efficiency.

  • Ease of Application: Applicators lauded the user-friendly nature of Marathon 550, noting its smooth application process which contributed to overall productivity on the project.

  • Exceptional Film Thickness: A notable highlight of Marathon 550 is its capability to achieve optimal film thicknesses in a single coat, simplifying the coating process and delivering superior results.

  • Efficient Cure Times: With impressive cure times, Marathon 550 enabled swift production turnaround, ensuring that project timelines were met without compromise.

In essence, Marathon 550 exceeded expectations, earning accolades from our experienced applicators for its reliability, ease of use, and performance consistency. Its seamless integration into our coating arsenal underscores its status as a standout solution for large-scale projects demanding excellence.


Product performance:

Barrier Smart Pack, Jotamastic 90 and Hardtop Optima Due to huge areas all three products had been sprayed, even if Barrier Smart Pack and Hardtop Optioma are special brush and roller products, with fantastic final results.

In essence, the adaptability and performance of Barrier Smart Pack, Jotamastic 90, and Hardtop Optima in spray application underscore their versatility and reliability, demonstrating their effectiveness in achieving superior results even in the most challenging project environments.


1. Below is the surface before coating


2. Below is the surface during coating


p3. Below is the surface after coating


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