Work begins on Oman’s first non-metallic pipe factory
The reinforced thermopolyethlene pipes project is coming up at the Special Economic Zone of Duqm
Muscat: Duqm Hongtong Pipes Company celebrated the groundbreaking of Oman’s first factory for manufacturing Reinforced Thermopolyethlene Pipes at the Special Economic Zone of Duqm (SEZD) on Tuesday.
The ceremony was held in the presence of a number of government dignitaries from Oman and China and representatives from shareholders, investors, stakeholders and potential customers.
This first of its kind project in the Sultanate came in response to the increasing local and international demand for such nonmetallic pipes that could be used for oil and gas industry and specifically for the collection and transfer of hydrocarbon fluids through the piping networks. At the initial stage, the factory’s products will serve the local market, while afterwards these Omani-made products will be promoted and supplied to other regional and international markets whenever required.
Built over an area of 60,000 square metres, the factory is designed to be capable of producing around 1,200km of Reinforced Thermopolyethylene Pipes (RTP) annually with the first batch of products expected by the second quarter of 2020.
The final products will be manufactured as per the technical specifications of the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and the American Institute of Petroleum.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of WeihaiHongtong Pipe said that one of the most important considerations behind their investment in the Sultanate of Oman is to transfer and exchange technologies and to benefit from the competitive advantages offered by the business environment in the Sultanate.
As well, he highlighted that this project will contribute to the InCountry Value (ICV) opportunities and support national training objectives and opportunities for Omanis. “The prime geographical location of Duqm, close to the GCC and African markets, and the Sultanate’s customs agreements with many countries overseas was a good reason to bring our investment in Oman,” he added.
General Manager of Hongtong Duqm Pipe Company, Dr ShaoLongnan, stressed on the importance of introducing this technology to the Sultanate and the region where the markets are growing. He also stated: “Construction of the production plant is planned to start later this month and expected to last for approximately 10 to 12 months.”
Dawood bin Sulaiman Al Farsi, Partner and General Manager of Technical and Marketing Affairs pointed out: “We are pleased to be the first in the country to establish this business which meets the increasing demand of Reinforced Thermopolyethylene Pipes in Oman and the region.”