SmartPads are designed to reduce corrosion under pipe supports (CUPS) across the full lifecycle—from new construction to maintenance retrofits. This article explains why supports corrode even with coatings, compares common mitigation methods, and shows how SmartPads enable fast installation and practical visual inspection.
Suitability of the SmartPad System for New Construction and Maintenance Projects Read More »
In 2019, a Gulf of Mexico operator replaced selected steel-on-steel pipe supports with the RedLineIPS SmartPad System to combat corrosion under pipe supports (CUPS) and reduce noise. The non-metallic interface—FRP saddle, bonded Hydroseal closed-cell gasket, and SmartBands—seals out brine, breaks galvanic continuity, and cushions micro-movement. Installed cold on live lines, the assemblies are easy to reopen for quick visual checks. After four years, treated locations showed no active corrosion, fewer paint touch-ups, and 6–10 dB(A) local noise reductions versus nearby untreated supports; crews also reported faster inspections and no hot-work permits. Adoption expanded platform-wide, and performance continues to be tracked as the first set passes six years in service.
Corrosion Under Pipe Supports (CUPS) is a hidden offshore threat—especially on FPSOs and fixed platforms where salt spray, washdowns, and constant micro-movement keep moisture trapped at pipe/support contacts. The RedLineIPS SmartPad System replaces steel-on-steel with a sealed, non-metallic interface: a contoured FRP saddle, bonded closed-cell Hydroseal gasket, and composite SmartBands with square-tooth buckles. This cold-work solution installs on live lines without welding, drilling, or epoxy, blocks brine films that drive crevice, UDC, MIC, and pitting, and breaks galvanic paths to support steel. Preset band tension delivers consistent gasket compression, while “lift–look–re-band” inspections take minutes and reduce reliance on UT/EMAT/RT at height. The result: fewer leaks and fires, less vibration and noise, better coating longevity, and lower lifecycle cost across offshore topsides.
RedLineIPS SmartPad System Stops CUPS on FPSOs & Offshore Platforms Read More »
Discover how the SmartPad System debunks FRP myths, prevents corrosion, and offers long-lasting, cost-saving pipe support solutions.
SmartPads vs. the Myths: FRP Pipe Support and CUPS Protection Read More »