The oil and gas market is making a strong comeback after the downturn starting in 2014. After the restrictions were lifted on the four-decades long ban on oil exports in the beginning of 2016, the US witnessed a substantial increase in the demand for exported oil.

And with a positive outlook for the oil and gas market comes investment in new capital equipment, as well as refurbishment of old equipment to ensure the maximum lifetime value. With rigs operating sometimes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the constant wear and fatigue on the equipment causes corrosion, galling threads, ineffective seals, or worse.

As we discussed in the last blog, one critical component that experiences wear is the blow out preventor (BOP). And within the BOP is a hydraulic cylinder containing an o-ring. This o-ring provides fundamental corrosion protection when it maintains proper dimension.

But what do you do when the groove in your o-ring is out of dimension, corroded or damaged? Reaching these unique areas is not practical for your typical surface finishing techniques such as tank plating. With selective plating with the SIFCO Process, custom anodes and workstations can be developed to plate your groove to size.

Watch the video below


Depending on the purpose of your o-ring, multiple deposits can be plated. Corrosion protection, interference fits, anti-galling, or re-sizing from over- or mis-machining can all be plated to your required dimensions without the need for disassembly or post-machining.

Contact our Technical Department to discuss your specific requirements today, 800-765-4131.