FPI to supply pipes for Ras Laffan Project
Posted: 14 April 2008
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Large-diameter fiberglass pipe manufacturer, Future Pipe Industries (FPI), has won a major new contract to supply Fiberstrong fiberglass pipes and fittings for Phase 2, category II, of the project to expand the seawater cooling facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, in Qatar.
These new pipe and fittings orders for Fiberstrong pipe systems are valued at over $138 million (QR 505 million), the Dubai-based company said.
FPI through its subsidiary, Future Pipe Industries Qatar, has already supplied Fiberstrong for a portion of Ras Laffan’s piping systems in connection with Phase1 and the categoryI of Phase2.
By the time Phase2 is complete, FPI is expected to have delivered approximately 176,000 metres of Fiberstrong fiberglass pipes or equivalent to one third the length of Qatar's coastline, the company said.
FPI Fiberstrong pipe systems will be used for above and below ground seawater cooling lines, fire water and chlorination.
Located 80km northeast of Doha, Ras Laffan City’s industrial port, operated by state-owned Qatar Petroleum (QP) is amongst the largest facilities in the world for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), gas that is cooled to a liquid for transport by ship. A common cooling water supply facility is critical given the scale of industries present there. By 2010, QP expects demand for more than 1 million cubic meters of cooled water per day, compared with supply of just under 600,000 cubic meters now.
“Our home market, the GCC, is the fastest growing fiberglass pipe market in the world and it is here that FPI has proved that fiberglass can be the pipe solution of choice for the biggest infrastructure and industrial projects,” said Rami Makhzoumi, President and CEO of FPI.
“In the case of Ras Laffan, our fiberglass pipe systems demonstrated their ability to perform at a superior standard to other materials, given harsh environmental conditions in the Gulf region, the design parameters, and the highly corrosive elements of seawater being transported. Cutting edge technological innovation and quality make FPIs’ Fiberstrong pipe systems ideally suited for a project of this caliber, the largest of its kind in the region.”
According to the company, Fiberstrong fiberglass pipes used for the cooling water system, is highly capable of resisting the region's high temperatures - which can soar to 50 degrees centigrade - and the corrosive conditions from seawater. GRP pipes are also more efficient carriers, light in weight, durable and easy to install.
The delivery of these fiberglass pipe systems in connection with Phase 2 category II , which are directed through Athens-based Consolidated Contractors is expected to commence this year. The project is expected to be completed by the first half of 2010.
“This important contract demonstrates our ability to service some of the world's largest infrastructure projects.” |
