Germany-based plantmaker SMS Group has announced that, together with India-based conglomerate Larsen & Toubro Limited, it will supply a longitudinal submerged arc welded pipe production facility for Abu Dhabi-based Al Gharbia Pipe Company.
The new facility scheduled to be commissioned in 2018 will process material grades up to X80 with an annual capacity of 240,000 mt. The pipes will be suitable for use as offshore line pipes and onshore applications. The new production line will be designed to make pipes up to 12.2 meters long with an outside diameter range of 18-56 inches, while the maximum wall thickness will be 44.5 millimeters.
Al Gharbia will manufacture high-grade large diameter (LD) longitudinal welded steel pipes mainly for the energy sector and is targeting markets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, since demand for high-quality steel pipelines to transport gas and oil is expected to grow in these countries.