The objective was to conduct an international workshop on the use of composite materials in offshore operations. The initial costs of composites are comparable to ordinary steel. Composites offer cost savings over specialized, i.e. corrosion-resistant metals. The performance benefits of composites include increased reliability because of corrosion resistance and structural superiority through weight savings, higher stiffness and ability to better tailor the structure to the load. A number of oil companies have started programs to use polymer composites in present and planned offshore platforms. The workshop addressed the cost, reliability, design, repair, and certification concerns of companies considering the use of composites in offshore structures.
Complete. The workshop was held on October 26-28, 1993 at the University of Houston.