As offshore activity picks up, both in the U.S. and internationally, the need to construct new facilities is increasing. While some projects require customization, modular construction often can offer up standardization that operators frequently praise for cost
Interview with TIM MURPHY, Vice President, Armoda
Armoda, owned by RedGuard, provides a range of modular solutions, including completely custom-fabricated technical buildings and workforce accommodation modules for both offshore and onshore installations. The company has a fleet of leasable assets and an onsite service team for maintenance, service, and parts.
Recently, Armoda Vice President Tim Murphy visited with World Oil to discuss a range of issues associated with offshore facility fabrication and modular construction. As the following conversation indicates, the role of modular construction in offshore facilities continues to evolve.
World Oil (WO): What specific offshore safety and regulatory requirements must facilities meet to achieve compliance?
Tim Murphy (TM): Each offshore project must meet class, regulatory, and code requirements specific to the facility type, project location, and environmental conditions. Applicable industry codes vary, based on whether the facility is a fixed platform, MODU, FPSO, barge or vessel, as well as the geographic region and site-specific criteria from the facility’s siting study—such as blast, fire and zone ratings, and deck load limits. The classification society (e.g., ABS, DNV, Lloyd’s) defines design, testing and inspection standards to ensure code compliance. These factors are critical in developing the engineering and design specifications for fabrication, installation, and commissioning.
WO: How do Armoda’s modular solutions address space limitations on offshore platforms?
TM: Most of our customers operate across a range of facility types, including fixed platforms, MODUs, FPSOs, barges, vessels, and land-based sites. Each has unique limitations in deck space and onboard personnel capacity.
Our fleet of portable accommodation modules (PAMs) comes in various footprints and dimensions, allowing us to tailor solutions to each facility’s size and requirements. We offer standard units in lengths from 10 ft to 42 ft—including 12 ft, 16 ft, 20 ft, and 33 ft—to suit a wide range of spatial constraints and weight restrictions offshore, Fig. 1.
These modular buildings are also stackable and linkable, enabling multi-level configurations to maximize use of limited space. This flexibility allows customers to expand personnel capacity temporarily or indefinitely, adapting their facilities to meet specific project demands.
WO: What makes Armoda’s custom-fabricated technical buildings and living quarters stand out?
TM: Standardization is often praised for its cost savings and operational efficiencies—and rightly so. We recognize these benefits and offer standardized products and designs when appropriate. However, the reality is that each facility presents unique challenges and design criteria that often necessitate custom-fabricated technical buildings or living quarter packages.
Drawing on our project experience and industry expertise, we guide clients through the design phase, incorporating standard elements, where possible, to avoid reinventing the wheel. Still, environmental conditions and customer-specific requirements—such as material preferences, brand selections, and layout needs—ultimately drive the final design.
What sets us apart is our focus on customer experience and quality. We prioritize clear communication from the early pre-FEED stage through to project delivery and commissioning. Strong project management and document control, along with responsive after-sales support, ensure high levels of customer satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
WO: How does Armoda ensure its modules can handle harsh environments?
TM: Much of this work takes place during the engineering and design phase. For our portable accommodation modules, we hold type approvals based on certified modular designs we've developed. During design, each module is evaluated for design head, fire resistance, blast protection, and hazardous area compliance—meeting or exceeding industry standards to ensure reliability in the harsh environments our customers face.
Armoda invests annually in R&D to develop new fleet designs and enhance existing ones, driving continuous improvement. As the industries we serve—and the regulations that govern them—continue to evolve, we remain committed to staying ahead of the curve.
WO: Can you elaborate on how Armoda’s single-lift accommodation packages simplify installation and reduce downtime on offshore facilities?
TM: Logistics for single-lift packages require detailed upfront planning, but they offer key advantages in reducing offshore downtime, Fig. 2. One major benefit is the ability to fully fabricate and function-test the entire structure offsite, including utility and safety systems.
After fabrication, the Armoda team connects all utilities and performs standard system checks at our facility. This ensures everything operates as designed and allows for any adjustments prior to shipment, minimizing installation and testing time offshore.
While assembling individual portable modules offshore is an option, it typically requires more time for interconnecting piping and cabling. In contrast, single-lift packages reduce both offshore labor and the number of required lifts for installation.
WO: What types of offshore modules and structures does Armoda offer, and how do they cater to specific operational needs, such as accommodation, control rooms, or workshops?
TM: What sets Armoda apart is our ability to deliver fully customized modular solutions tailored to each project's specific needs. Whether it’s multiple modules assembled onsite in stages or a complete single-lift structure transported by waterway, we provide flexible options to suit any installation method.
Our designs and materials are also customized, based on environmental conditions and regulatory requirements. We offer steel-welded structures with blast and fire ratings, lightweight fiberglass and aluminum options, and interlocking panel systems—ensuring the right solution for any application.
WO: What role do Armoda’s expert teams and engineering capabilities play in delivering custom solutions tailored to client needs?
TM: Armoda’s directors of engineering, project management, fabrication, and service bring years of experience in modular solutions for both onshore and offshore applications. They are skilled at surveying facilities, understanding project requirements, and developing tailored solutions that align with applicable codes and regulations.
Instead of having to define every detail themselves, customers can rely on the Armoda team for expert guidance throughout the process. Each facility presents unique challenges—such as limited deck space, weight restrictions, crane capacities, and siting study requirements related to hazards like blast, fire, wind, and hazardous area ratings. We have the expertise to navigate these complexities and deliver a fully executed solution from concept to completion.
WO: How does Armoda incorporate international safety and compliance standards, such as SOLAS or ABS, into its designs?
TM: Most of our land-based and offshore projects require solutions that comply with industry codes and regulations. This begins with a detailed engineering and design plan, which is submitted for both customer and third-party review and approval before fabrication can begin.
Our designs are evaluated against industry and safety standards to ensure full compliance. During fabrication, we implement hold points for inspections to maintain material traceability, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Document control is critical throughout this process.
Once fabrication is complete, we conduct final acceptance testing (FAT) with the customer and third-party surveyors, following an agreed inspection and testing plan (ITP). Final certification letters are issued, and our team manages the logistics for delivery and installation support.
WO: How does using your company’s solutions reduce project timelines and costs for offshore oil and gas operations?
TM: For rental or fleet sale packages, we maintain a large inventory of ready-to-deploy assets that help keep projects on schedule. These pre-approved TLQ (temporary living quarter) units can be delivered quickly, bypassing the delays associated with engineering and regulatory review for newbuilds, Fig. 3.
For custom fabrication, we offer turnkey, in-house solutions—avoiding the need to coordinate across multiple vendors. With several fabrication facilities, including two waterfront locations for barge load-outs, we have the capacity and flexibility to support complex projects efficiently. This allows us to shift demand as needed, reduce lead times, and accelerate delivery.
WO: What ongoing support or maintenance services does Armoda provide to ensure long-term value for its clients?
TM: We have a dedicated service team that provides comprehensive after-sales support, including warranty work, preventive maintenance, emergency callouts, repairs, spare parts, and refurbishment services. Our technicians are available 24/7 for both onshore and offshore projects and are fully trained on our modular systems to assist with troubleshooting and repairs.
Through preventative maintenance plans, we conduct on-site quality checks and supply necessary consumables to help extend the life of customer assets. When an asset reaches the end of its lifecycle, our team can provide tailored refurbishment services to extend or repurpose it, based on customer needs.
WO: What feedback has your firm received from customers regarding the effectiveness of its products in solving operational challenges?
TM: The most consistent feedback we receive is about our service personnel. Customers often express appreciation for the professionalism and expertise of our technicians during installations or ongoing service. After completing their scope, our technicians perform additional function tests and review the final performance checklist with the customer to ensure everything is operating, as intended.
In terms of product effectiveness, we’re often evaluated on how well we meet regulatory requirements and resolve third-party inspector comments. Customers value plug-and-play solutions that integrate seamlessly with their host facilities and enable quick approval for occupancy.
WO: What emerging challenges in offshore oil and gas operations is Armoda preparing to address with new innovations?
We invest annually in R&D to develop new fleet designs and continuously improve existing ones. As industries, codes and regulations evolve, we strive to stay ahead of the curve.
Recent trends toward reducing building weight and footprint have led us to obtain new design approvals for smaller modules and proactively manufacture assets to meet future demands.
Recognizing that our customers operate across diverse regions with varying codes and standards, our fleet designs are now reviewed and approved to comply with global industry and classification requirements—ensuring compliance wherever our modules are deployed.
WO: Can you describe some details of a case study? What challenge did the client approach you with?
TM: For a single-lift project of this scope, the typical schedule is around 14 months, covering engineering, design, regulatory review, fabrication, third-party inspections, integration of client equipment and safety systems, final acceptance testing, load-out, installation, and commissioning. The Armoda team completed this project in just 11 months.
A key challenge in expediting such schedules is coordinating manufacturing with ongoing regulatory approvals. Fabrication cannot begin until design reviews and approvals are complete, and USCG inspections and hold points require careful timing. Success depends on close collaboration and communication among engineering, project management, and manufacturing teams.
Another challenge is balancing customer preferences, regulatory codes, and facility constraints. For this project, the customer required 28 beds, bathrooms, IT closets, offices, laundry, and storage within a limited deck space of 24’ W x 46’ L, Fig. 4. Armoda designed a three-story structure with roof-mounted HVAC and external stairways and walkways to meet these needs while adhering to code minimums, Fig. 5.
Single-lift projects must minimize offshore installation and commissioning time. Our team worked closely with the customer’s project and engineering teams from the start to develop a plug-and-play solution for utilities and safety systems, including fire and gas. This detailed planning ensured smooth integration with the platform and efficient offshore execution. WO
TIM MURPHY is vice president at modular fabrication specialist firm Armoda and is a 17-year veteran of the oil and gas industry. Mr. Murphy joined Armoda in early 2017 and previously served as general manager and director of Sales & Business Development. Before that, he spent nearly 10 years in positions of increasing responsibility, supporting modular fabrication and services for the offshore oil and gas industry. Mr. Murphy earned a BS degree in Business/Managerial Economics from University of South Carolina Upstate in 2006. He also earned an MBA in Finance from University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2008.