Workshop & Maintenance

Workshop & Maintenance covers the equipment a rig crew uses to repair, clean and move parts. It spans machine tools, welding sets, presses and workshop modules; offshore containers, cargo baskets and waste skips; and pressure washers, water jetting units, parts washers and hydraulic bolting tools.

On an offshore unit each item has to suit the rig's power supply and its hazardous areas. Anything lifted at sea must also carry offshore lifting certification.

What the three sub-Categories cover

Sub-Category	Typical items	Decided mainly by
Workshop equipment	Lathes, mills, welding sets, presses, workshop modules	Capacity, accuracy, supply voltage
Offshore containers and baskets	Cargo baskets, closed and open-top units, skips, racks	Certification and inspection dates
Cleaning and maintenance equipment	Washers, water jetting units, bolting tools	Pressure or torque range, Ex rating, calibration

Workshop equipment is the fixed and modular kit for machining and welding on board. Offshore containers and baskets carry cargo between supply vessels and installations, and are certified lifting equipment in their own right. Cleaning and maintenance equipment covers the tools for washing, surface preparation and bolted joints.

Choosing between them

Start with where the item will work and how it gets there.

A machine that stays in the workshop is chosen on capacity, accuracy and supply.
Anything lifted between a vessel and the rig, including a workshop module, needs a certified frame and lifting set to an offshore container or portable offshore unit standard.
A tool used on the open deck needs an Ex rating or air drive for the zone it enters.

Standards across the group

DNV-ST-E271 (formerly DNV 2.7-1), EN 12079 and ISO 10855 cover offshore containers and their lifting sets.
DNV-ST-E272 (2.7-2), titled "Offshore service modules" until its 2024 edition renamed it "Equipment assemblies", certifies the equipment and safety systems inside modules such as workshops, stores and control cabins. DNV-ST-E273 (2.7-3) covers portable offshore units that fall outside DNV-ST-E271.
IMO MSC/Circ.860 gives the IMO guidelines for approving offshore containers handled in open seas.
In the UK, LOLER governs the thorough examination of lifting equipment and accessories, and PUWER covers the safety of work equipment.
The IEC 60974 series covers arc welding equipment, including periodic inspection and calibration.
EN 1829-1 covers the safety of high pressure water jet machines.
Electric tools taken onto the open deck need IEC 60079 Ex certification, shown by an ATEX or IECEx marking, for the zone they enter.

Integration questions that cut across the group

Supply. Rigs run at different voltages and frequencies, commonly 440 or 480 V at 60 Hz or 400 V at 50 Hz. A machine wired for one may need a new motor, a transformer or a frequency converter on another.
Hazardous areas. Electric equipment outside the safe area needs certification for the zone. Diesel units need a zone kit, and air-driven tools need a compressed air supply.
Lifting. Modules and containers need lifting points that suit your cranes and deck load limits.
Salt air. Electronics in welding inverters, CNC controls and washer panels corrode in a marine atmosphere. Look inside the cabinet, not just at the casing.

What wears out first offshore

Electronics before mechanics. Inverter welding sets, CNC controls and washer control boards fail from salt and condensation long before castings and frames wear.
Seals and hoses before pumps. Jetting units, presses and tensioners usually need new seals and hoses, while the pump body and frame can be reused.
Paperwork before steel. A container with a sound structure but no traceable certificate costs more to bring back than one with a lapsed but complete file.

Sourcing used workshop and maintenance equipment

Rigs that are stacked or recycled often release lightly used workshop kit with its records. Some items never left the crate as rig spares.

Photos of every nameplate, so you can check voltage, frequency, phase and ratings
Certificates and the latest inspection report for anything lifted or pressurised
Calibration certificates for torque tools, welding sets and gauges
Manuals and spare parts lists, especially for older machine tools and CNC controls

Naventr can arrange an independent inspection of a used item on request, and answers your questions from the Seller's records.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What voltage do offshore rig workshop machines run on?

Offshore rigs commonly supply 440 or 480 V at 60 Hz, or 400 V at 50 Hz, depending on where the unit was built. Check the nameplate on any used machine against your supply. A mismatch may need a new motor, a transformer or a frequency converter, and 50 Hz motors run faster on 60 Hz.

What certification do offshore containers need?

Offshore containers need certification to DNV-ST-E271, EN 12079 or ISO 10855, with an in-date periodic inspection. The data plate shows the maximum gross mass, tare and payload, and the inspection plate shows the last inspection. The lifting set carries its own certificate.

Do workshop modules need offshore certification?

Yes, a workshop module lifted offshore needs its frame, padeyes and lifting set certified to DNV-ST-E271, EN 12079 or DNV-ST-E273. Its installed equipment, fire integrity and hazardous area protection are often certified to DNV-ST-E272 as well. Check each certificate, the lifting set certificate and the last periodic inspection.

Is used rig workshop equipment worth buying?

Used rig workshop equipment is often lightly used and comes with its manuals and records. Check the supply rating, look inside electrical cabinets for salt air corrosion, and confirm spare parts support for older CNC controls. Anything lifted or pressurised also needs in-date certificates.

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