When Supply Makes All the Difference
How Sverdrup Steel enabled a smarter material choice at Mongstad
How Sverdrup Steel enabled a smarter material choice at Mongstad
In offshore construction, every choice carries weight — especially when it comes to materials. Deadlines are tight, conditions are challenging, and having the right steel avaivable at the right time is critical.
When Equinor set out to replace two aging footbridges at the Mongstad refinery, the initial plan was to rebuild them using painted carbon steel. It seemed like the natural solution. But the team at Fabtech, the Norwegian fabricator on the project, saw an opportunity to think differently.
Rather than repeat the same approach, they brought Sverdrup Steel into the conversation. Together, they explored an alternative: lean duplex. The result was a shift to a material with better long-term performance, reduced maintenance needs, and a smaller environmental footprint.
Selecting a material such as lean duplex EN 1.4362 / UNS S32304 involves more than meeting technical specifications. It requires a trusted supply partner capable of delivering consistently — on time, and with access to one of the most extensive and comprehensive stock programs in lean duplex grades for both plates and profiles.
Sverdrup Steel was fully prepared. With over 2,000 meters of lean duplex structural hollow structural sections, along with plates and hot-rolled angle bars already in stock at its Norwegian warehouse, delivery was immediate and without compromise. Everything met the required NORSOK M-120 standard for offshore structural use.
What sets Sverdrup Steel apart is not just the availability of high-performance steel, but the support that comes with it. From day one, Sverdrup Steel’s metallurgists worked hands-on with the project team, ensuring that the chosen material would meet all technical and performance requirements. This included specification reviews, technical guidance, and validation — helping the project transition smoothly to a better-performing solution.
Choosing a smarter material is only half the story. Having the right partner to back you up is what really makes it work.
Those are the words of Steffen Pettersen, Sales & Marketing Director at Sverdrup Steel. It’s this kind of expertise and involvement that builds trust. And it’s why customers across the offshore sector rely on Sverdrup Steel as more than just a supplier.
The new footbridges are now in place. They are lighter, stronger, and no longer require regular repainting. Thanks to the availability, support, and knowledge provided by Sverdrup Steel, a standard replacement project became something more — a smarter and more forward-thinking solution.
At a time when offshore operations are under pressure to reduce CO2-emissions, lower costs, and increase reliability, this project shows the value of having a material supplier who delivers more than just steel.
Location: Mongstad Refinery, Norway
Client: Equinor
Fabricator: Fabtech
Material Supplier: Sverdrup Steel
Material: Lean duplex EN 1.4362 / UNS S32304
Standards: NORSOK M-120 MDS: YD35 (Plate), YD36 (Hot Rolled Angle Bar), YD37 (Structural Hollow Sections)
Supplied: Over 2,000 meters of SHS, plates, and hot rolled angle bars
Highlights: Timely delivery, corrosion resistance, low maintenance, sustainability benefits