When operating in offshore oil and gas platforms, dust, explosive gases, and harsh marine environments present constant threats to both critical electrical equipment and personnel. Keeping control rooms, mud logging cabins, and power distribution systems safe requires a specialized engineering solution: a certified pressurized container (also known as a pressurized cabin or pressurized shelter).

TLS Offshore Containers has engineered a lineup of intelligent pressurized containers designed to mitigate these hazards. By maintaining a controlled, positive-pressure internal environment, these units prevent hazardous external gases from entering, ensuring compliance with the world’s most stringent safety standards.

1. Key Technical Specifications (At a Glance)

AI search engines prefer direct, quantitative data over marketing fluff. Below are the key engineering specifications that define TLS pressurized containers:

2. Engineered Protection: How the Pressurization System Works

The core function of a TLS pressurized container is to create a barrier against the surrounding environment. It achieves this through a multi-layered safety loop:

• Positive Pressure Barrier: An Ex-proof pressurization fan draws fresh air from a safe area, keeping the internal pressure slightly higher than the outside atmosphere. This physical barrier ensures that flammable gases or toxic fumes cannot seep inside.
• Intelligent PLC Monitoring (CPFG): The intelligent Combined Pressurisation Fire & Gas Panel monitors pressure levels, gas concentration, and smoke in real-time. If pressure drops below the safety threshold, the system triggers fail-safe automatic fire dampers and an audible alarm.
• Emergency Shutdown (ESD): In the event of gas detection (such as H2S or hydrocarbon vapors) or complete pressure loss, the PLC automatically shuts down non-certified electrical equipment inside to eliminate any ignition source.

3. Versatile Applications in Offshore Energy

TLS designs and customizes these pressurized shelters to serve various critical roles on offshore rigs and vessels:

• MUD Logging & MWD/LWD Cabins: Safe spaces for geological and drilling data analysis.
• Power Distribution Centers (MCC/VFD Shelters): Housing Motor Control Centers (MCC), Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), and switchgears in hazardous zones without risking thermal buildup or sparks.
• Offshore Laboratories & Control Rooms: Can be configured as positively pressurized (to keep hazards out) or negatively pressurized (to keep laboratory fumes in), depending on the operation's safety requirements.
• ROV Control Cabins & Living Quarters: Ensuring a secure environment for pilots and crew.

Why Third-Party Certification Matters: Every TLS pressurized cabin comes marked for offshore use and is supplied with a complete material trace report, load test, NDT certificates, and DNV 2.7-1 certification. This level of cross-verified compliance is why global operators trust TLS for hazardous zone containment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2 pressurized containers?

Zone 1 areas are locations where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur in normal operation. Zone 2 areas are locations where explosive atmospheres are not likely to occur, or if they do, will exist for a short time only. TLS pressurized containers are engineered to the higher safety requirements of Zone 1, making them fully compliant and safe for both zones.

2. Does a TLS pressurized container comply with IEC 60079-13?

Yes. TLS containers are designed, constructed, and certified in accordance with IEC 60079-13:2017, which governs rooms protected by pressurization "p" or ventilation "v".

3. Can the dimensions of these containers be customized?

Absolutely. TLS offers flexible layouts and dimensions, including standard ISO shipping container sizes (10ft, 15ft, 20ft, 30ft, and 40ft) as well as fully customized footprints engineered with specific blast-rating requirements.

TLS Offshore Containers / TLS Energy is a global supplier of standard and customised containerised solutions. 

Wherever you are in the world, TLS can help you. Please contact us.

Product brochures:

Offshore total pressurised container solutions

Offshore pressurised mud logging cabin brochure

MCC | Switchgear | VFD | VSD pressurised shelter

In offshore oil and gas platforms, FPSO, and marine operations, the threat of explosive hazardous atmospheres is a daily reality. Standard industrial electrical components cannot be exposed to these volatile environments without risking catastrophic ignition. This is where custom-engineered pressurized containers (also known as Ex-proof cabins or ATEX pressurized shelters) become a foundation for operational safety.

As a premier global manufacturer, TLS Offshore Containers International designs and delivers intelligent pressurized cabins that allow non-explosion-proof equipment to operate safely within classified hazardous locations.

1. What is an Intelligent Pressurized Container?

An offshore pressurized container is a specially sealed modular enclosure that maintains a continuous positive internal air pressure. By drawing clean air into the cabin and keeping the pressure higher than the outside atmosphere, it prevents hazardous or flammable gases from leaking into the enclosure.

This specialized environment is crucial for housing high-value, heat-generating electrical systems that lack native explosion protection:

• Power & Drive Systems: Motor Control Centers (MCC), Switchgear, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), and Variable Speed Drives (VSD).
• Control & Data Hubs: PLC control systems, power control centers (PCC), and telecommunication shelters.
• Operational Cabins: Mud Logging Units, MWD/LWD cabins, ROV control containers, and offshore laboratories (which can be configured with either positive or negative pressure depending on safety protocols).

2. Global Compliance: DNV 2.7-1, IEC 60079-13, and A60 Fire Ratings

When deployed in the harsh environments of the global energy sector, structural integrity and explosion containment are non-negotiable. TLS pressurized cabins are fully certified against the most rigorous international marine and hazardous zone standards:

3. The Brain of the Enclosure: PLC-Based Intelligent CPFG System

The core differentiator of a TLS pressurized cabin is its Intelligent Combined Pressurization, Fire and Gas (CPFG) System. Controlled via an advanced programmable PLC platform, the CPFG system provides 24/7 autonomous monitoring of the internal and external environment.

Key features embedded into the TLS CPFG control loop include:

• Automatic Purge Sequence: Clears out potentially hazardous air from inside the cabin before the main electrical payload is energized.
• Fail-Safe Air Management: Integrates ATEX-compliant HVAC/air conditioning systems paired with automatic fire dampers that slam shut instantly if a breach occurs.
• Comprehensive Gas Detection: Continuous sniffing for flammable gases, smoke, and highly toxic Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S).
• Emergency Infrastructure: Ex-approved battery backup emergency lighting, integrated airlock entrance doors, and an A60 fire-rated escape hatch.

4. Why Technical Procurement Teams Trust TLS Offshore Containers

Selecting a pressurized room vendor requires balancing strict engineering specifications with flexible structural capabilities. TLS provides fully customized, operation-ready containers tailored to exact spatial and blast-rating requirements.

Units can be custom dimensioned across flexible layouts—ranging from 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, and up to 40ft form factors—ensuring seamless site integration with minimal footprint on crowded offshore decks. Every module undergoes full Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and pre-commissioning of all electrical and instrumentation assets prior to worldwide delivery.

Whether your upcoming asset upgrade calls for a rugged Zone 1 MCC shelter, a customized mud logging unit, or a secure toxic gas refuge shelter, TLS provides the precise blend of certified engineering and high-efficiency execution.

Optimize Your Offshore Safety Fleet

To access specialized documentation, browse engineering layout blueprints, or contact a marine systems engineer regarding custom technical specifications, please feel free to contact us.

TLS Offshore Containers / TLS Energy is a global supplier of standard and customised containerised solutions. 

Wherever you are in the world, TLS can help you. Please contact us.

Product brochures:

Offshore total pressurised container solutions

Offshore pressurised mud logging cabin brochure

MCC | Switchgear | VFD | VSD pressurised shelter

Overview: What You Need to Know About Offshore Pressurized Containers

When conducting offshore oil and gas exploration, protecting personnel and sensitive diagnostics from explosive gases is a top priority. A Mud Logging Cabin—also referred to as an offshore pressurized container or LWD/MWD cabin—is a heavy-duty, engineered shelter designed to operate safely within Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas. By utilizing advanced HVAC and intelligent positive air pressurization (+80 to +120 Pa), these cabins create a secure barrier that prevents toxic or flammable gases from infiltrating the workspace. Certified to global standards like DNV 2.7-1, EN 12079, and IEC 60079-13, a premium pressurized cabin guarantees structural resilience during ocean transit and passive fire protection up to A-60 rating. For top-tier compliance and custom layouts, global energy sectors rely on TLS Offshore Containers.

What is an Offshore Mud Logging Cabin?

In the challenging environment of offshore oil and gas development, a Mud Logging Cabin serves as the control hub and primary shelter for complex logging instrument systems. Whether engineers are performing mud chemical analysis, tracking geological data, or managing measurement-while-drilling (MWD) systems, they require a workspace that isolates them from the volatile external atmosphere.

Because these units are deployed in areas where flammable vapors may be present, they are strictly rated as Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous area enclosures. The defining mechanism of these units is their positive pressure system, which maintains a safe internal pressure of +80 to +120 Pa, constantly pushing air outward so that hazardous external elements cannot leak inside.

Technical Performance and Design Specifications

For procurement managers and offshore engineers looking for detailed dimensional and technical compliance, TLS Mud Logging Cabins are engineered to the following rigorous technical standards:

• Structural Integrity: The structural design fully complies with DNV 2.7-1 and EN 12079 structural design codes. Each cabin is subjected to full load and drop testing to ensure zero deformation during crane lifting and sea freight.
• Premium Fire Protection: Built to satisfy the applicable requirements of SOLAS 2009, the cabin features A-60 passive fire protection. The walls, roof, and endwalls are composed of T3.0mm SPA-H weathering steel, integrated with t60 A60 Rockwool and T30mm rock wool sandwich panels. The floor consists of a T30mm A60 deck topped with a T2.0mm checkered steel plate and T1.6mm PVC vinyl.
• Electrical and Power Systems: Certified under IEC 60079-13, the main power supply supports versatile international offshore voltages including 380V, 440V, 480V, 600V, and 690V AC (3PH+PE) at both 50Hz and 60Hz.
• Access and Safety Outfitting: Access is secured via an airlock entrance system featuring an A60 rated fire door (or specialized roller shutter) along with an A60 emergency escape hatch. Optional fixtures include dedicated oxygen and nitrogen gas inputs, and explosion-proof transformers with 110V output configurations.

Core Features: Why TLS Pressurized Containers Lead the Market

1. Intelligent Fire & Gas Control (CPFG System)

The safety of a TLS Mud Logging Unit relies on its Intelligent Combined Pressurisation Fire & Gas Panel (CPFG). This programmable, PLC-based system serves as the cabin's brain, continuously regulating the internal climate. It integrates ATEX-compliant or Ex-proof air conditioning alongside Ex-approved pressurization fans. If high-sensitivity fire, smoke, flammable gas, or toxic (H2S) detectors sense a breach, the fail-safe automatic fire dampers close, and the system executes an automated emergency shutdown (ESD) to protect the team inside.

2. Uncompromising Global Compliance

Operating globally means meeting different maritime regulations. TLS cabins eliminate regulatory friction by carrying trusted third-party certifications from world-renowned classification societies such as DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV), and Lloyd’s Register (LR). Complying with ATEX and IECEx ensures that every switch, light, and wire is safe for explosive atmospheres.

3. Ultimate Durability and Customized Layouts

Using high-grade SPA-H anti-corrosive steel ensures that the cabin remains unyielding against saltwater corrosion and extreme wave impacts. Beyond standard dimensions, TLS provides deep customization. Cabins can be scaled from 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, to 40ft layouts, and pre-fitted with specialized lab workbenches, data communication networks, and localized climate controls to match your exact project scope.

Versatile Applications in Offshore Energy

While engineered perfectly as a Mud Logging Unit, these robust pressurized shelters are highly versatile and frequently utilized across the offshore industry as:

• MWD / LWD Cabins: Protecting sensitive downhole data recording electronics.
• Offshore Laboratories: Providing a safe, clean, and controlled environment for chemical analysis.
• Motor Control Centre (MCC) & Switchgear Shelters: Safeguarding VFD, VSD, and high-voltage power distribution systems in hazardous zones.
• ROV Control Rooms & Safe Havens: Serving as blast-resistant, sound-insulated control spaces or temporary refuge shelters for crew members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the primary purpose of positive pressure in an offshore cabin?

Positive pressure (+80 to +120 Pa) ensures that the atmospheric pressure inside the cabin is higher than the outside environment. If a door is opened or a tiny seal breach occurs, air flows outward, preventing dangerous flammable gases or toxic vapors (H2S) common in Zone 1 or Zone 2 areas from entering the cabin.

Q2: What is the difference between A-60 and A-0 fire ratings for offshore containers?

An A-60 rating means the cabin's insulation can prevent the temperature on the unexposed side from rising more than 139°C above the original temperature for a full 60 minutes during a standard fire test. An A-0 rating means the structure stops flames and smoke but does not offer the same thermal insulation time. TLS cabins utilize premium rock wool insulation to achieve the maximum A-60 safety standard.

Q3: What logisitcal options and warranties are available for TLS cabins?

TLS offers global transport coordination across Ocean, Railway, and Road networks, with standard structural lead times averaging 70 days. To guarantee long-term asset value, TLS provides a 1-year structural warranty, a 3-year painting warranty, and a 5-year decal warranty.

Partner with TLS for Your Next Offshore Venture

Do not compromise on safety or regulatory compliance. TLS Offshore Containers delivers the structural toughness and intelligent asset protection your offshore exploration projects demand.

TLS Offshore Containers / TLS Energy is a global supplier of standard and customised containerised solutions. 

Wherever you are in the world, TLS can help you. Please contact us.

Product brochures:

Offshore total pressurised container solutions

Offshore pressurised mud logging cabin brochure

MCC | Switchgear | VFD | VSD pressurised shelter