For as long as the oil and gas industry has been engaged in offshore drilling, wave-induced damage has always been the 
major issue affecting production. Wave action on the conductor tube or caisson causes them to move within the guides, resulting in fatigue, impact damage and eventual fracturing. These problems can and will result in serious safety hazards, unexpected shutdowns and significant loss of production.
Furmanite’s SmartShim™ is a truly effective and state-of-the-art conductor analysis and chocking solution that will ensure your offshore production site remains productive, powerful and profitable.
A Solution Unlike any Other
Traditional repair methods such as solid rubber, wood or plastic chocks are extremely unreliable - breaking, falling out or unable to be properly inserted in the first place. But the SmartShim™ (a solution being offered by an alliance between AMEC and Furmanite) is unlike any other repair method.
It is designed to achieve the resilience required to hold the conductor firmly in place, prevent damage in the guides, and provide sufficient absorption qualities necessary to avoid further shock damage. Each SmartShim™ is fitted on-site to the exact required dimensions, eliminating all difficulties related to fitting or staying in place.
The result of utilizing the SmartShim™ technology is a bespoke chock that fits perfectly, stays in place, and meets the wear resistance, strength and 'elasticity' requirements needed to provide an ideal, long-lasting solution.
Chocking Where It's Needed
On-deck, below-deck and sub-sea - Furmanite’s and AMEC’s analysis and chocking service will identify the extent of any conductor tube or riser fatigue, the degree of chocking required, and exactly where it's needed. The SmartShims are then manufactured to these specifications, then cast and installed on-site by Furmanite's highly qualified technicians.
The chocking slips are manufactured from a PVC-proofed nylon with exceptional abrasion resistance, and are ultrasonically welded for water-tightness. They are then filled with a Furmanite-developed polyurethane resin with an 80° ShoreA hardness and a tensile strength of 7MPa, making it resistant to oil, gas and seawater.