LATAM Energy Gets Its First 3D-Printed DNV-Qualified Polymer Part

A First for Energy in Latin America

Equinor, Petrobras, and other major energy operators in Latin America have jointly qualified the region's first 3D-printed polymer handwheel for use on onshore and offshore platforms. The qualification, completed under DNV standards, marks a significant step for additive manufacturing in a sector that has traditionally relied on forged metal components for critical valve operation.

The handwheel was developed and manufactured using high-performance polymer materials selected for their resistance to the corrosive saltwater environments common in offshore operations. DNV qualification means the part meets the stringent safety and performance requirements that govern equipment used in energy infrastructure across the region.

Why Polymer Handwheels Matter

Traditional metal handwheels are heavy and vulnerable to corrosion over time. Corrosion leads to sticking, increased maintenance costs, and eventual replacement. Polymer handwheels address these problems directly. They weigh less, which reduces handling strain for technicians during valve maintenance. They do not rust or suffer the same galvanic degradation that metal parts experience in saline atmospheres.

For platforms operating in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or off the coast of Brazil, every kilogram saved on manual handling compounds across hundreds of valve operations per year. The qualification of this polymer part gives operators a viable alternative to metal without sacrificing the reliability that DNV standards demand.

The Qualification Path

The DNV qualification process for this part involved rigorous mechanical testing under simulated platform conditions. Load testing confirmed the polymer handwheel could withstand the torque requirements for large-diameter valves. Environmental exposure testing verified long-term performance in salt spray, UV exposure, and temperature cycling typical of tropical and offshore locations.

Equinor and Petrobras contributed operational data from their existing maintenance programs to validate the testing protocols. Having both operators involved from the start meant the qualification criteria reflected real-world platform conditions rather than generic industrial benchmarks.

Supply Chain and Regional Impact

Localizing the manufacture of this handwheel in Latin America reduces dependence on imported metal components and long lead times. 3D printing allows the part to be produced on demand at or near the point of use. For remote platform locations or countries with limited forging infrastructure, this shortens supply chains considerably.

The qualification also sets a template for other polymer components. Handwheels are just one category of valve and actuator parts that could move to additive manufacturing. Once a material and process have DNV approval, extending that approval to similar parts becomes faster and less expensive.

What Comes Next

The operators have not disclosed a full timeline for fleet-wide rollout, but the qualification paves the way for pilot installations on selected platforms. The next phase will likely involve installing the polymer handwheels alongside existing metal parts to gather comparative performance data over a full maintenance cycle.

If those trials confirm the lab results, polymer handwheels could become standard equipment on new builds and replacement schedules within a few years. That would represent a meaningful shift in how one of the oil and gas industry's most visible mechanical parts is specified and sourced.