Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to technical questions.
A practical starting point for engineering, maintenance and procurement teams.
PICSA offshore services
What services does PICSA Offshore provide?+
PICSA’s developing offer is organised around Subsea Services, Asset Integrity & Maintenance, Specialist Surface Technologies and Project Delivery.
Where does laser cleaning fit?+
Laser Cleaning is a subservice within Specialist Surface Technologies. Equipment distribution in Mexico and certified equipment training are mapped to that laser-cleaning capability.
Which subsea services are included?+
The current structure includes Inspection, Repair & Maintenance; Construction & Installation Support; and Decommissioning Support. Each capability remains subject to verification and the required specialist-partner model.
How are developing capabilities identified?+
PICSA distinguishes verified self-delivery, specialist-partner delivery and capability still in development before a service is commercially promoted.
Subsea operations
How does PICSA select an ROV or subsea platform?+
Selection follows the task objective, water depth, environmental conditions, payload, tooling, intervention loads, vessel interfaces and evidence required. Verified equipment and partner availability must be confirmed for each scope.
Does PICSA provide both ROV- and diver-supported services?+
The service architecture allows ROV-, diver- and vessel-supported pathways. The proposed delivery model, responsibilities and competence evidence are confirmed during qualification.
What evidence can a subsea scope provide?+
Depending on the task, evidence may include referenced video, still images, sonar, positioning data, measurements, inspection records, as-built confirmation and an approved completion report.
Who controls specialist subsea interfaces?+
The work pack assigns responsibilities across PICSA, the client, vessel, ROV or diving contractor, inspection authority and other specialists, with hold points identified before mobilisation.
Asset integrity and project delivery
Does PICSA make the final integrity decision?+
Only where that authority is explicitly contracted and supported by verified competence. Normally PICSA provides preparation, coordination and evidence to the appointed inspection and engineering authorities.
How are inspection and repair connected?+
The work package defines the required preparation, inspection method, acceptance authority, engineering disposition, repair interface, protection and return-to-service evidence.
What does integrated project delivery include?+
It can include qualification, trials, engineering, mobilisation planning, specialist-contractor interfaces, execution controls, quality records and documented handover.
How are changes or nonconformances controlled?+
The project records the deviation, immediate control, technical disposition, approval, corrective action and close-out evidence against the agreed quality plan.
Technical assurance
What is the Technical & Assurance section for?+
It explains how PICSA defines methods, equipment, operating limits, controls, acceptance and compliance evidence across all offshore service domains.
Does listing a standard mean PICSA is certified to it?+
No. A standards reference is not a certification claim. Applicable editions, responsibilities and supporting evidence must be verified before a compliance statement is made.
When is a trial required?+
A trial is appropriate when material response, achievable finish, production assumptions or acceptance cannot be established reliably from approved evidence.
Who approves the acceptance criteria?+
The client should nominate the responsible technical authority. Criteria, inspection method, hold points and required records should be agreed before mobilisation.
About laser cleaning
What does laser cleaning remove?+
Suitable applications include surface rust and oxides, selected paints and coatings, oils and residues, mill scale and weld discolouration. Results depend on material, layer thickness, chemistry and the finish required.
Will it damage the base metal?+
Correctly matched equipment and parameters can selectively remove contamination while preserving the substrate. PICSA confirms suitability with a representative trial and agreed acceptance reference.
Is it chemical-free?+
The process does not require chemical stripping agents, but the removed material still needs extraction, filtration and waste management appropriate to its composition.
Method selection
Is it always better than grit blasting?+
No. Laser cleaning is strongest on localised, complex or access-constrained work. Blasting may be stronger for large open areas or when the coating system requires a defined abrasive profile.
Is laser cleaning too slow for offshore work?+
Productivity depends on the layer, finish and geometry. The correct comparison includes setup, containment, waste, clean-down and programme interfaces—not only square metres per hour.
How do we know if our scope is suitable?+
Share the substrate, unwanted layer, approximate area, geometry, access, required finish and photographs. PICSA can then recommend a trial, site review or alternative method.
Trials and acceptance
Why is a sample clean recommended?+
A representative sample clean confirms the achievable finish, limitations, likely production range and required controls before a larger commitment is made.
Who approves the trial result?+
The client should nominate the responsible technical authority and acceptance method. PICSA records the agreed reference finish and any limitations for the proposed work package.
Can a trial be credited against a project?+
PICSA may credit an agreed portion of the trial fee against a qualifying follow-on order. Any credit, validity period and conditions are stated in the trial quotation.
Safety and delivery
Does laser cleaning create fumes?+
Yes. Ablation can generate particulates and gases. The coating must be identified, with extraction and filtration selected for the hazard and positioned close to source.
Can portable equipment be used offshore?+
Potentially. The mobilisation plan must still cover power, cooling, extraction, controlled areas, access, weather, lifting and simultaneous operations.
Can the equipment be used in a hazardous area?+
Only equipment with verified certification for the specific area classification may be represented as suitable. Otherwise the work location, isolation or operating arrangement must keep the equipment outside the classified area.
What should be included in the scope?+
Material and condition, coating data, area and geometry, access, required result, programme, interfaces, safety documentation, evidence and handover requirements.
Pricing and commercial scope
Which pricing tier applies to my work?+
Tier 1 covers local spot maintenance, Tier 2 covers heavier industrial preparation and Tier 3 covers mobilised offshore or turnkey programmes. Final selection follows application and worksite review.
What is excluded from indicative rates?+
Unless stated otherwise, taxes, travel, offshore transport, accommodation, specialist access, permits, standby, client charges, hazardous-material controls and downstream inspection or coating are excluded.
Do you quote by square metre?+
Only where representative evidence supports a realistic production rate and the scope is sufficiently defined. Hourly, shift, weekly and lump-sum structures may be more appropriate.
Equipment rental and purchase
Can we rent laser-cleaning equipment?+
PICSA can offer short- or long-term rental for qualified applications, subject to availability, insurance, deposit, training and operator authorisation.
What is included in a rental package?+
The quotation identifies the configured laser, process head, extraction, accessories, consumables, training, support, collection or delivery arrangements and return condition.
Can PICSA supply equipment in Mexico?+
PICSA is positioned as a prime distributor for HANTENCNC laser equipment in Mexico, with application review, configuration, commissioning, training, spares and support defined in the proposal.
Training and competence
Is equipment training certified?+
PICSA provides structured certified equipment training for the supplied system. The course scope, assessment, certificate, validity and prerequisites are confirmed before booking.
Does training make an operator competent for every application?+
No. Equipment training supports safe system use, but application competence also depends on the material, process, hazards, worksite controls, supervision and employer authorisation.
Can training be delivered at our facility?+
Subject to a suitable training area, equipment, utilities and safety controls, PICSA can propose customer-site delivery or a configured training location.
Phosphate coating and adjacent services
Why does PICSA offer phosphate coating?+
Phosphate conversion coating complements selected preparation and component-refurbishment scopes where corrosion resistance, paint adhesion or controlled downstream finishing is required.
Is phosphate coating part of laser cleaning?+
No. It is a separate chemical conversion process. PICSA defines cleaning, rinsing, treatment, control and waste requirements as a distinct service scope.
Can laser cleaning and phosphate coating be combined?+
Potentially, where the substrate, required surface condition and approved process sequence are compatible. The combined route must be validated against the client specification.
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