TPI July 2012

business & market news

Hydratight wins Morgrip contract Hydratight has secured a major Morgrip connector contract with government- run Israel Natural Gas Lines (INGL) in Tel Aviv. the use of Hydratight’s Morgrip weldless connectors.

“What swung it for us, apart from our track record and a quick, secure repair the first time, was the solid expertise and engineering advice we were able to offer INGL,” said Morgrip team leader Paul Hughes. “We supported the company with drawings, installation procedures and maintenance and storage procedures even before the order was won and that information filled in many of the customer’s knowledge gaps.” INGL now effectively has a rapid-repair kit, which can be brought into use by its own experts very quickly. The connectors will stand in specially made storage bags that provide a stable environment and prevent corrosion. “This was a definite case of solid engineering expertise paying off on a very high profile emergency repair project,” said Mr Hughes. “If repairs are needed, our engineers will assist in deploying the connectors.” Hydratight is hopeful that INGL’s significant future onshore plans will now include other Hydratight products and services.

To guard against the possibility of future damage in this super-critical supply pipe, in 2009 INGL decided to acquire contingency facilities. Though Hydratight’s Morgrip team didn’t present the lowest-priced tender, INGL realised that Morgrip was the best solution and has acquired two more Morgrip 30" connectors and associated components.

In 2005 the company was hired to help repair a subsea 30" main gas pipe that supplies the fuel to provide 25 per cent of the country’s electrical power. Pipelines rarely have a more critical role in national power generation. Damage caused by a ship’s anchor was repaired in under 24 hours, thanks to

Morgrip 30" connectors

Hydratight – UK morgrip@hydratight.com www.hydratight.com

The future for protected pipelines February saw a gathering of world experts in Vienna at AMI’s Pipeline Coating 2012 event.

These trends in regional supply and demand are driving pipeline construction. In addition, oil and gas are being sourced from more remote and hostile areas, which require a denser coating to protect against corrosion, extreme temperatures and pressures. Thus the overall market for pipe coating is expected to grow. Pipeline Coating 2013 is scheduled for 18-20 February 2013, in Vienna, Austria.

There will be developments in global regional demand for oil: by 2030 global oil consumption is predicted to rise to 4,600 Mtoe and Asia-Pacific will consume around 40%, compared to 30% in 2000, while at the same time demand in Europe will decrease in proportion. The situation is similar for gas, with Asia-Pacific using around 12% of the 2,100 Mtoe of global consumption in 2000, and this is expected to rise to 25% of the 4,200 Mtoe utilised worldwide in 2030. The supply map will also change and Asia-Pacific will be delivering 30% of global gas supplies in 2030, compared to 12% in 2010.

The conference began with leading AMI market consultant Noru Tsalic, who outlined the growth expectations for steel pipe coatings including annual growth rates of around 5%, amounting to 450mn square metres in 2013. Gas pipe coating is the largest sector, amounting to 74% of the total, with oil pipelines at 21%, while the water industry uses about 4%. The rise in volume of coating demand is partly due to changes in geographical consumption and sourcing.

Applied Market Information Ltd – UK

info@amiplastics.com www.amiplastics.com

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