Fiberglass reinforced plastic, or FRP, is a corrosion-resistant, long-lasting and durable material used across a variety of industries, but FRP was initially designed for the oil and gas field and still remains one of the leading applications for oil and gas storage solutions today. What is it about FRP that makes it such a good material for storing oil and gas products and byproducts? Here’s why the petroleum industries rely on FRP tanks as a storage solution!
What is FRP?
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is a composite material that blends the steadfast strength of glass with the chemical resilience of plastic, making it a sought-after product for industries that need a durable, long-lasting and corrosion-resistant solution to their storage needs. FRP tanks are made in several different ways, including weaving, stitching, braiding, knitting or spooling of the glass shards or fibers which are then combined with resins and put together via the filament winding method or the glass chopper method. Both produce strong, flexible, corrosion-resistant pieces that are sure to last you years.
Why FRP is Best For Oil and Gas
Because they were specifically designed for the oil and gas industry, FRP tanks are hardy and flexible in the face of hazardous, corrosive and flammable materials. Fire suppression is vitally important when dealing with petroleum products as a rogue fire could cost the company more than just the loss of valued goods. The FRP tanks require less maintenance and repairs than other materials and are more reliable in extreme weather fluctuations, including extremely cold environments. They may be more expensive up front, but what you’ll save in repairs and maintenance is worth it. FRP tanks can often outlast competing materials by decades and the lightweight design makes them easier to install and transport to your location. Heavy machinery is not required for installation and most often the process can be handled just by the delivery folks and a few of your team members.
The Flexibility of FRP
Another upside to shopping for an FRP tank for your oil and gas storage needs is how customizable these projects can be. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks can be made on site and adhere to almost any requirements, including the thickness of the tank, individual customizations such as a sloped tank bottom, any accessories necessary and of course the volume it can hold. FRP is a versatile product that can be designed to the users’ specific requirements and if you can dream it, we can likely build it.
If you’ve been in the market for a reliable, cost-effective and high-performance storage unit, an FRP tank is a good solution! Trusted by the oil and gas industry for over 30 years, FRP is the leading storage option because of its corrosion resistance, non-conductive properties and high strength-to-weight ratio. Get in touch with us today to design your next storage unit!
