CompositesWorld

MAR 2017

CompositesWorld

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NEWS ENERGY 23 CompositesWorld.com Composites: Subsea Oil and Gas Subsea oil and gas exploration and delivery has long been pointed to as a potentially lucrative end-market for composites in pipe and related structures. Indeed, given the subsea oil and gas industry's need for durable, tough, lightweight materials that do not easily corrode, composites seem a perfect match. However, as with many industries, legacy materials are not so easily forgotten, so composites migration into this market has been slow. There are recent signs, however, of possible change. Two announcements in late January signaled that large players in the chemical industry are seeing real opportu- nity, and investing. The announcements involved two of the biggest providers of composite pipe to the oil and gas industry, Magma Global Ltd. (Portsmouth, UK) and Airborne Oil & Gas (IJmuiden, The Netherlands). First, thermoplastic materials specialist Victrex plc (West Conshohocken, PA, US) announced on Jan. 25 that it is taking a minority interest in Magma Global. Following the joint development of Magma carbon composite m-pipe using VICTREX PEEK, Victrex made the minor- ity interest investment in Magma to further facilitate the adoption of its m-pipe for subsea applications. The m-pipe technology is expected to reduce exploration and produc- tion costs and risks for demanding subsea applications. "The oil and gas market remains challenging, but the application of m-pipe in areas where it can deliver cost savings for operators, through simpler design, easier deployment and in whole-life costs, means it should be the technology of choice for demanding subsea applica- tions," says Martin Jones, CEO at Magma. Then, on Jan. 27, Sumitomo Corp. Europe (London, UK) announced a global commercial cooperation agreement for the sale and distribution of thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) manufactured by Airborne Oil & Gas "The intrinsic properties of the TCP, such as no corro- sion, low weight and end-fittings that are installed quickly offshore, provide our clients with unmatched opportuni- ties to reduce cost, both CAPEX and OPEX," says Martin van Onna, CCO with Airborne Oil & Gas. "With our DNV qualifications and fast-growing track record in the global SURF market, the TCP is widely recognized for its poten- tial as alternative to steel and flexible pipe. This makes 2017 the ideal year to expand in to the global market." Composites on the upswing in oil and gas? Source | Magma Global

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