Fiber Reinforced Plastics Pipes Facilitating Oil and Gas Extraction

Published on January 21 2021 by Aryan

The oil and gas industry is adopting fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) pipes in large quantities, as the material possesses appreciable mechanical properties such as high tensile strength, fire resistance, reliability, and impact strength. Moreover, they are created as per the standards laid down for the materials to be used in this sector. Besides, the oil and gas sector requires pipes with a large diameter, so that they can handle high pressures. In addition to this, FRP pipes can be designed with flame-retardant additives for critical areas.

Thus, the increasing installation of these pipes in the oil and gas industry will drive the fiber-reinforced plastic pipe market from $2,134.4 million in 2016 to over $3,800.0 million by 2023. According to P&S Intelligence, the market will witness a CAGR of 8.4% during 2017–2023. Such pipes are mostly made from epoxy, and as the material is environment-friendly and causes no pollution, epoxy FRP pipes are in a high demand. In addition to epoxy, manufacturers also use polyester and polyurethane to create these pipes. FRP is, thus, a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with various fibers, such as carbon, basalt, and glass.

Currently, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is generating the highest revenue in the global FRP pipe market due to a surge in construction activities in the region. These pipes are also being used in large quantities in the manufacturing sector and automobile industry in APAC. Besides, the growing focus of governments on improving sewage treatment facilities has led to the widescale adoption of FRP pipes. Sewage treatment plants depend on them over iron ones due to the longer life of the former.

Thus, the corrosion resistance, fire resistance, and thermal efficiency of FRP pipes make them suitable for multiple industries, including oil and gas, water and wastewater treatment, and chemicals. Therefore, the expansion of these sectors will increase the adoption of these pipes in the coming years.