Multi-Barrier Preservation Systems for Corrosion Prevention in Offshore Wellhead Platforms: A Systematic Review of Current Practices and Future Perspectives

Authors

  • Sukanta Sembiring Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Riau Kepulauan

Keywords:

offshore preservation, wellhead platform, corrosion prevention, multi-barrier preservation, asset integrity, condition monitoring, systematic literature review

Abstract

Maintaining the integrity and operational readiness of offshore wellhead-platform equipment during storage, construction delays, pre-commissioning, temporary shutdowns, and extended inactivity remains challenging because corrosion and mechanical degradation can continue in the absence of normal operating loads. This study systematically reviews preservation strategies and integrates the available evidence into an equipment-specific multi-barrier framework. A systematic literature review was conducted using six scientific information sources and reported with reference to PRISMA 2020. Publications from 2015 to 2025 were considered; 178 records were identified, 149 unique records were screened, 68 full-text publications were assessed, and 43 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The evidence was analyzed according to degradation mechanism, preservation function, equipment applicability, verification requirement, and implementation limitation. The findings show that no single preservation barrier addresses all degradation risks. Protective coatings and cathodic protection primarily control external and electrochemical corrosion; nitrogen or inert-atmosphere preservation limits internal oxygen exposure; corrosion inhibitors and VpCI provide chemical protection; humidity-control measures reduce condensation risk; and lubrication protects contacting and moving components. Inspection, condition monitoring, and digital technologies provide complementary verification and decision-support functions. Based on the synthesis, this review proposes a decision-oriented framework linking degradation mechanism, preservation barrier, condition verification, and maintenance response. The evidence also reveals limited long-term offshore validation of integrated preservation, particularly for nitrogen blanketing, humidity control, lubrication-based preservation, and combined barriers. Future research should emphasize field validation, standardized preservation-performance indicators, and condition-based preservation strategies to support reliable return-to-service decisions.

Abstrak: Mempertahankan integritas dan kesiapan operasi peralatan anjungan kepala sumur lepas pantai selama penyimpanan, keterlambatan konstruksi, pre-commissioning, temporary shutdown, dan periode tidak beroperasi yang panjang merupakan tantangan karena korosi dan degradasi mekanis tetap dapat berlangsung tanpa adanya beban operasi normal. Penelitian ini meninjau secara sistematis strategi preservasi dan mengintegrasikan bukti yang tersedia ke dalam kerangka preservasi multi-barrier yang spesifik terhadap jenis peralatan. Tinjauan literatur sistematis dilakukan menggunakan enam sumber informasi ilmiah dan dilaporkan dengan mengacu pada PRISMA 2020. Publikasi tahun 2015–2025 dipertimbangkan; sebanyak 178 rekaman teridentifikasi, 149 rekaman unik disaring, 68 publikasi full-text dinilai kelayakannya, dan 43 studi dimasukkan dalam sintesis kualitatif. Bukti dianalisis berdasarkan mekanisme degradasi, fungsi preservasi, penerapan pada peralatan, kebutuhan verifikasi, dan keterbatasan implementasi. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada satu barrier preservasi yang mampu mengatasi seluruh risiko degradasi. Pelapis protektif dan proteksi katodik terutama mengendalikan korosi eksternal dan elektrokimia; nitrogen atau atmosfer inert membatasi paparan oksigen internal; inhibitor korosi dan VpCI memberikan proteksi kimia; pengendalian kelembapan mengurangi risiko kondensasi; sedangkan pelumasan melindungi komponen yang berkontak dan bergerak. Inspeksi, pemantauan kondisi, dan teknologi digital berfungsi sebagai lapisan verifikasi dan pendukung keputusan. Berdasarkan sintesis, penelitian ini mengusulkan kerangka yang menghubungkan mekanisme degradasi, barrier preservasi, verifikasi kondisi, dan respons pemeliharaan. Bukti juga menunjukkan masih terbatasnya validasi lepas pantai jangka panjang terhadap preservasi terintegrasi. Penelitian selanjutnya perlu menekankan validasi lapangan, indikator kinerja preservasi yang terstandar, dan strategi preservasi berbasis kondisi untuk mendukung keputusan return-to-service yang andal.

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Published

2026-09-22

How to Cite

Sembiring, S. (2026). Multi-Barrier Preservation Systems for Corrosion Prevention in Offshore Wellhead Platforms: A Systematic Review of Current Practices and Future Perspectives. Piston: Journal of Technical Engineering, 10(1), 65–78. Retrieved from https://openjournal.unpam.ac.id/index.php/Piston/article/view/61358

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