Petrobras has officially installed the first DNV-qualified 3D-printed polymer part in the Latin American energy market: a non-metallic handwheel on its P-74 offshore platform.
Norway-based Korall Engineering AS developed the part. SENAI CIMATEC produced it locally using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. It replaces a traditional carbon steel component that had proven highly susceptible to corrosion in harsh offshore environments.
The announcement, shared by Petrobras engineer Danilo Cunha, is a proof of concept for distributed, IP-secure digital manufacturing in an industry where supply chain complexity, lead times, and maintenance costs remain chronic challenges.
The project was orchestrated by Sparely and involved Assembrix for secure remote printing, a technology we have covered before on 3D ADEPT Media. The result: encrypted file delivery, controlled production workflows, localized manufacturing and no waiting months for a part to cross an ocean.
As we explored in a recent Additive Talks panel on repair, retrofit and reliability in oil & gas, the case for AM in this industry is about asset life extension, operational continuity, and the transition from physical warehouses to secure digital inventories.
DNV’s qualification framework has been central to enabling that transition. The latest edition of DNV’s AM standard now includes a robust qualification framework specifically for polymer parts. It ensures consistency and reliability across material types. This is the very framework that drew our attention to this Petrobras installation.
Latin America has long been an underrepresented adopter in the AM conversation. This installation, cross-continental in design, local in production, and globally certified, shows the model works beyond the usual markets.
All images: Danilo Cunha via LinkedIn.
Want to go deeper on AM in the oil, gas and maritime sectors? Explore our full coverage here.
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