Marine growth comprises variety of soft bodied and shelled bodied marine organisms, which are typically found on solid subsea surfaces. Marine growth approximately increases the structure weight by 5-15% depending on the depth of its position. The hard fouling (hard marine growth) tends to increase the drag force on the structure. The wave force (hydrodynamic loading) is thus increased.
MGR helps in reduction of base shear load by up to 16%. This can be achieved by removing the first bay of marine growth of all structural elements including conductor piles. The pile axial load, especially in 4-legged jacket, can be reduced by 6-16% depending on removal of number of bays of marine growth. Complete marine growth removal from the base, mud-line of the jacket/platform helps in reduction of load by up to 60% thereby increasing its fatigue life. Similar removal of marine growth from the second bay of the platform, the fatigue life of the jacket/platform can be enhanced up to 180% of its designed life.
Companies working in the harsh marine environment like the offshore oil and gas industry, port and harbor authorities, EPC companies, and marine vessel fleet owners and operators need to control growth of marine plants and animals like corals, sponges, seaweeds, molluscs, and barnacles amongst others. The growth removal and control is vital in new and existing structures. MGR will assist in reducing the design allowances in new structures. Static loading, dynamic and hydrodynamic loading and increase in overall fatigue life of offshore structures are achieved by removal of marine growth. The overall jacket weight is also reduced to a great extent. All of the above factors, in totality, reduce the operational/repair and maintenance costs of the offshore foundations.
Based on equipment used for MGR, the market is segmented into two types: power tool and hand tool. The power tool is further classified into underwater grit blasting, non-cavitating high pressure water jets (10,000-15,000 psig), barnacle busters and others. The others segment in power tool includes hydraulic rotary brushes, hydraulic/pneumatic chipping hammers amongst others. Hand tool segment is classified into wire brushes and scrappers. Off all the equipment, the hand held ones are absolutely risk free. However, these tools are more useful in jobs with least cross section area to be covered for cleaning purposes. Based on the application, the market is classified into subsea construction, vessel hull cleaning, mooring chain cleaning and others. The others segment includes pile cleaning, platform jacket leg cleaning, surface preparation amongst others.
Based on geography, Middle East and Africa (MEA) region was the largest market for the marine growth removal in 2016. After MEA, North America is expected to lead the market share. One of the major reason for both the regions to lead the market is due to high oil & gas exploration and production activities -in these regions. North America and Middle East & Africa collectively has highest number of offshore structures than combined Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Hence, both the regions will lead the market in terms of growth.
The key MGR equipment manufacturers, developers, suppliers and service providers are, but not limited to: ProServ, Ashtead Technology, Oilfield Testing Services Ltd., Marine Engineering Diving Services (MEDS), CaviDine LLC, IEV Group, and Found Ocean Ltd.
Offshore oil & gas and wind energy projects often faces delays in installation of complete structures. These delays results in higher installation costs as marine and other debris can appear on the jacket leg, mono pile surface. The surface cleanliness is critical in installation of above water structures or for grouting in case of wind turbine installation.
Depending on the size (area) of clean up, power tools or hand tools are used to clean the marine growth on structures. Marine growth are often hard and spread through large areas, power tools like pneumatic/hydraulic brushes, barnacle busters are utilized to clean the surfaces with large areas. Hand tools are utilized in case of smaller surface areas. The submerged surface often has some hook installations or upending pad-eye’s that has intrinsic parts which are highly impossible for power tool equipment’s to reach there. Hence, for intrinsic part cleanup, often hand tools are engaged since power tools are larger in size and they might not have reach to such intrinsic areas.
Barnacles, mussels and other hard growth involves use of barnacle busters and non cavitating high pressure water jets. These power tool equipment including hydraulic and pneumatic hammers and chippers can practically clean any type of hard marine growth from mooring chains, mooring wires, risers, SSIV’s (sub-sea isolation valves), vessel hulls, and other subsea constructions. For cleaning below the depth of 250m, ideally, human divers cannot dive in with power or hand tools and in this case ROV’s (Remotely Operated Vehicle – both inspection and work class) or AUV’s (Automated Underwater Vehicle) are engaged.
Vessel hull cleaning, underwater structures, oil & gas offshore facilities and assets are the major applications where marine growth removal equipment are used. Hydraulic and pneumatic rotating motors with cleaning brushes of appropriate grades are used to remove calcareous marine growth like barnacles, mussels and other molluscs. Depending on the surface area to be cleaned, NDT-Inspection (Non-Destructive Testing) of the area is carried out. Based on the reports, MGR equipment’s are engaged for marine growth clean-up activity.
Subsea construction segment is expected to have largest market share in the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. Vessel hull cleaning is the second attractive segment of marine growth removal market. Vessels include merchant vessels, tugs, FPSOs (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading), FDPSOs (Floating, Drilling Production, Storage and Offloading), FLNG (Floating, Liquefied Natural Gas) vessels, rigs, spars, semi-submersibles, and TLP (Tension Leg Platform). Mooring systems cleaning segment includes wires ropes, tools and tackles, buoys and anchors thorough clean up. Marine growth often reduces life of all equipment and materials in the mooring systems hence, periodic maintenance is essential to be carried out.
Unless the vessel is under dry-docking, commonly used tools are hand scrappers or pneumatic brushes. Other effective tool is diver held water-jetting equipment. This equipment is non cavitating high pressure water jet. Major contractual issues arise with vessel owners and operators like the responsibility of MGR and cleanup for a vessel if it is chartered for more than a year. The owners and charter party contracts often includes MGR as a mutually exclusive entity.
Middle East & Africa region is expected to lead the marine growth removal market in upcoming years owing to largest region with offshore oil and gas assets and facilities in 2016. Followed by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America region.
The offshore oil and gas facilities and shipping industry are major movers of the marine growth removal market, globally. Since global trade activity is an ongoing process, vessels of all sizes move throughout the world, dock at various ports. The MGR equipment is essential part of the shipping industry. Oil and gas is vital source of energy and the only factor, as of today, to ensure energy security of any country/region. Oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) activity is majorly concentrated in offshore. The offshore E&P activity is an ongoing process and it is expected to flourish and thrive for at least 30-40 years from today. Combining these factors, MGR equipment and technology would therefore be essential for better operational efficiency.
Historical & Forecast Period
This study report represents analysis of each segment from 2022 to 2032 considering 2023 as the base year. Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for each of the respective segments estimated for the forecast period of 2024 to 2032.
The current report comprises of quantitative market estimations for each micro market for every geographical region and qualitative market analysis such as micro and macro environment analysis, market trends, competitive intelligence, segment analysis, porters five force model, top winning strategies, top investment markets, emerging trends and technological analysis, case studies, strategic conclusions and recommendations and other key market insights.
Research Methodology
The complete research study was conducted in three phases, namely: secondary research, primary research, and expert panel review. key data point that enables the estimation of Marine Growth Removal (MGR) market are as follows:
Market forecast was performed through proprietary software that analyzes various qualitative and quantitative factors. Growth rate and CAGR were estimated through intensive secondary and primary research. Data triangulation across various data points provides accuracy across various analyzed market segments in the report. Application of both top down and bottom-up approach for validation of market estimation assures logical, methodical and mathematical consistency of the quantitative data.
| ATTRIBUTE | DETAILS |
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| Research Period | 2022-2032 |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024-2032 |
| Historical Year | 2022 |
| Unit | USD Million |
| Segmentation | |
Equipment
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Application
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Region Segment (2022-2032; US$ Million)
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Key questions answered in this report
