Skidway Systems, Slide Bearings and Subsea Bearings

The oil and gas industry operates at the intersection of extreme loads, harsh environments and zero-tolerance for failure. From topside decks and jackets to subsea structures, every moving or sliding interface must deliver predictable, low-friction performance across decades. At Fluorocarbon we design and manufacture engineered polymer solutions such as Fluoroglide^® skidway plates, high-performance slide bearings and subsea bearings, specifically for these demanding applications.

Table of Contents

Engineered skidway systems for safe, repeatable loadouts

Slide bearings - precision movement, long life

Subsea bearings - engineered for the ocean

Approvals and specification compliance

Why operators choose Fluorocarbon skidway and bearing systems

Case highlight: Heavy jacket/deck loadouts

Engineered skidway systems for safe, repeatable loadouts

Load-out and installation operations are high-risk events: thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of tonnes must be transferred from quayside to barge and then into the sea with absolute control.

• Fluoroglide^® skidway plates are built to manage the extreme contact pressures, abrasion and variable temperatures experienced during jacket and deck loadouts.
• We have successfully supported jackets and decks with weights up to 37,000 tonnes during loadout operations, providing a robust, low-friction interface that reduces peak forces and helps protect structural steelwork.
• Fluoroglide^® skidways are engineered for repeatability, they can be configured for single or multiple loadout events and are compatible with both temporary and permanent skidding arrangements.
• Typical benefits on loadout projects: lower pulling/sliding forces, reduced need for greases at the interface, predictable behaviour under changing wet/dry conditions, and lower wear rates compared with many traditional metallic solutions.

Slide bearings - precision movement, long life

Movement interfaces on topside and transport systems require bearings that combine low friction, large load capacity and excellent wear resistance.

• Our slide bearings are manufactured from advanced polymer compounds tailored to distributed load, shock loading and offshore environmental exposure.
• They provide: high load capacity, low coefficients of friction, dimensional stability, and resistance to creep and cold-flow under sustained loads.
• Typical applications include: skidways, transport saddles, support shoes on jackets and decks, and any structural interface where controlled sliding is needed during fabrication, transport or installation.

Subsea bearings - engineered for the ocean

Subsea environments pose unique challenges: seawater immersion, biofouling potential, sustained high pressures and minimal maintenance access. Fluorocarbon subsea bearings are designed specifically for these conditions.

• Our subsea bearings use polymers and compound formulations that resist seawater absorption, maintain low friction when wet, and deliver excellent wear performance even under high contact pressures.
• They are used in bearings, guides and articulation points on subsea structures, riser hangers, and other subsea moving interfaces where reliability and long life are essential.
• Where required, our subsea solutions can be supplied with matching housings and mounting features to ease installation and inspection.

Approvals and specification compliance

We design products to meet the strict requirements of major operators and engineering houses. Fluorocarbon products are supplied to projects governed by operator and EPC specifications and we work closely with clients such as BP and Total to ensure our materials and systems meet their project-specific approvals and documentation requirements. Typical deliverables and compliance items include:

• Material data sheets and test certificates (mechanical, thermal and chemical properties).
• Traceable quality documentation and production records.
• Project-specific qualification testing and performance data where requested.
• Engineering support: load calculations, skidway layout, bearing selection guides and installation procedures.

If you require copies of specific approvals, certificates or technical specifications for BP, Total or other customers, we can provide project-level documentation and show how our components were qualified against client criteria.

Why operators choose Fluorocarbon skidway and bearing systems

• Lower installation forces - lower peak friction reduces the required bollard/pull capacity and risk during load-out.
• Reduced damage risk - soft, conformable polymer surfaces reduce point loading and protect painted/coated steel.
• Predictable performance in wet conditions - many polymer compounds perform better than metal-on-metal when seawater or lubricants are present.
• Long service life - engineered wear resistance reduces the need for replacement parts and costly intervention.
• Simpler logistics - lighter elements for temporary skidways and fewer consumable lubricants reduce time and cost on site.

Case highlight: Heavy jacket/deck loadouts

On multiple projects we supplied Fluoroglide^® skidway plates and matching slide bearings for jackets and decks that required controlled loadout procedures. In these instances, including loadouts up to 37,000 tonnes, the skidway systems helped achieve predictable pulling forces, protected structural members and reduced turnaround time during the launch sequence.

Technical & project support

We provide full project support for oil & gas applications, including:

• Pre-project consultancy and skidway layout design.
• Bearing selection and sizing (load, contact pressure, movement envelope).
• On-site support for installation and commissioning of skidways/bearings.
• Post-installation inspection guidance and maintenance recommendations.

Get in touch

If you’re planning a loadout, transport or subsea installation and want to discuss how Fluoroglide^® skidways, slide bearings or subsea bearings can de-risk the operation, we’ll be happy to help. We can provide technical datasheets, test data, and the approvals/specification packages needed for operator review.

Contact us with your project details (structure type, gross weight, planned loadout method and environmental conditions), and we’ll propose a tailored solution that balances safety, cost and long-term performance.