The Faculty of Engineering and Postgraduate School at Rivers State University (RSU) recently highlighted a groundbreaking innovation by PhD graduate, Engr. Dr. Charles James Watimiyo, Deputy Manager of Construction & Revamping (CRV) at Oando PLC (formerly Nigeria Agip Oil Company).
With over 20 years in operational, technical, and process safety, Dr. Watimiyo has made significant contributions to projects like the Irri Flowstation oil export line, Ebocha Oil Centre’s Produced Water Buffer project, and NAOC JV’s first Safe Case. He also led Health Safety and Environment (HSE) efforts in the T4/5 Ogboinbiri Gas Plant upgrade.
Dr. Watimiyo’s latest research addresses a critical industry challenge: corrosion in Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) hulls, which operate in high-salinity, high-temperature environments. Conventional coatings on FPSO hulls generally break down within five years, leading to Non-Productive Time (NPT) and considerable financial loss. His research introduces two innovative coating systems, Type A and Type B, specifically engineered to withstand aggressive marine conditions better than standard coatings.
To evaluate performance, Dr. Watimiyo simulated Gulf of Guinea metocean conditions with temperatures of 70°C and 96.2°C, salinity levels between 24.3 ppt and 33.13 ppt, and pH values of 7.50 to 8.20.
He applied the coatings to mild steel samples, then subjected them to a series of rigorous tests, including pull tests, water absorption tests, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) analysis. The results were promising: Types A and B outperformed the standard coating by 10-27%, with metallic components acting as anodes to prevent corrosion in these harsh conditions.
The Gulf of Guinea—covering key oil-producing countries such as Nigeria, Angola, and Gabon—was chosen as the study’s focus due to its strategic importance to the oil industry. Accounting for over 7% of national exports, the Gulf’s oil resources have drawn significant investment, with offshore platforms and FPSOs increasingly deployed to tap into its deep-water reserves.
One example is the $16 billion Egina FPSO, which has an oil storage capacity of 2.3 million barrels and a production capacity of 208,000 barrels per day. Protecting these assets from corrosion is essential, as any damage can result in massive financial losses and environmental risks.
The supervisory board for Dr. Watimiyo’s research, led by Engr. Dr. I. E. Douglas, Engr. Dr. Orji Charles, and Engr. Dr. Izionworu Vincent Onuegbu, commended his work as a valuable contribution to Nigeria’s economy and the broader field of marine corrosion engineering.
Dr. Izionworu noted that the enhanced coating systems could save billions by preventing corrosion-related damage, adding that “the research will benefit FPSO investors and expand the body of knowledge in marine engineering.”
This innovative coating solution marks a significant milestone for RSU and offers a valuable tool for oil companies operating in the Gulf of Guinea, helping them safeguard their investments and enhance sustainability.
