< Back to In the News

December 2009 - Leak Tracer Fluid

Leak Tracing Dyes
Oceanic Fluids

Fluorescent Leak-Tracing Dyes have been in Oceanic Subsea control fluids since 1994, introduced into Oceanic HW525, as requested by Petrobras. A yellow fluorescent dye is incorporated to Oceanic HW525 was then termed "525P," where the "P" designation indicates a leak tracing yellow dye added to the fluid at low concentrations.

Oceanic HW500 Series:
Oceanic HW525 + yellow fluorescent dye =>Oceanic HW525P
Oceanic HW540P + yellow fluorescent dye =>Oceanic HW540P

ROV companies report that the yellow dye is traceable with a UV and white light mounted on an ROV rather than any specialized hardware. Devices capable of detecting Ultraviolet dyes are suitable for this application.

Fluids developed after 1994 were developed with leak-tracing dyes in the base formulation.

Oceanic HW443 - yellow-green fluorescent dye
Products containing the more biodegradable dye are designated with an "R" for "RED" the color red.
Oceanic HW443R
Oceanic HW720R
Oceanic HW740R

Other ancillary products that may be used if a leak is detected in the field for any aqueous fluid, Leak Tracer Fluids (LTF), these products are used at 5:1000 volume to volume and should be mixed carefully.
Oceanic Yellow LTF
Oceanic Red LTF

Some users have requested No Dye in their products, an ND designation would indicate no dye in a product. Dyes have no impact on a product's mechanical performance, given the low levels of concentration.

Some of our Erifon products are available with fluorescent leak-tracing dyes or No Dye formulations.

"Delivering Life to Your Subsea Equipment"
See our website for details, contacts and availability: www.macdermid.com/offshore

For technical information or product questions please email questions to offshore@macdermid.com

For Ordering or pricing please email questions to offshore@macdermid.com