The Offshore Structures Sector
Since the late 1970s, Brown McFarlane has been a leading UK supplier of offshore steel plate for the energy sector. While the industry has shifted from single products to complex project packages, our core mission remains: delivering high-integrity steel plate for offshore structures that withstand the harshest marine conditions.
Today, we support both fixed installations and deep-water floating projects. With recent senior appointments specialising in multi-product procurement, we now offer a complete project-managed service. This combines our traditional quality in plate processing with global sourcing power to keep your projects competitive.
Your Solution for Offshore Procurement
With the recent pressure on Oil & Gas costs and global supply chains, Brown McFarlane offers a competitive edge. We tailor supply solutions for international destinations, ensuring you receive the right steel plate for offshore structures at the right landed price.
Our Solution for the Offshore Sector
Brown McFarlane has a long history in the Energy sector and we believe we have the answers and solutions to your procurement challenges.
The company stocks and processes a wide range of high specification steel plates that meet the highest sector requirements and all are subject to stringent quality inspections and sourced from the most reputable of steel mills. Brown McFarlane is also now offering a Project Managed multi-product supply capability to further service this sector and help its customers execute their projects on time.
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What material is used in offshore structures?
High-strength carbon manganese steels such as EN 10025 S355 and API 2H are the primary materials. In corrosive environments, Duplex Stainless Steel (e.g. UNS S31803) is used. Brown McFarlane supplies all variants with full certification.
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What are the types of offshore structures?
The three main types are Fixed Platforms (steel jackets), Floating Systems (FPSOs, semi-subs) and Offshore Renewables (wind turbine foundations).
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What is a marine steel plate?
A marine steel plate is a heavy steel plate certified for use in saltwater environments. It must demonstrate high toughness, excellent weldability and resistance to lamellar tearing. It differs from standard structural steel due to its specific deoxidation and impurity controls.
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What is the best steel for the marine environment?
For structural integrity, S355G series (Offshore grade) or ASTM A131 (Ship grade) are best. For maximum corrosion resistance in piping and topside equipment, Super Duplex UNS S32750 is considered the premium choice.
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What is the difference between S235 and S355 steel?
S235 has a yield strength of 235 MPa, while S355 has a yield strength of 355 MPa. S355 provides higher strength with less weight, making it the preferred grade for offshore structural applications.
