GIPI ACHIEVES PIPE PRODUCTION MILESTONE IN OMAN

Gulf International Pipe Industry LLC (GIPI) recently announced achievement of first pipe production at its integrated pipe manufacturing facility in Sohar Industrial Estate, Oman. This comes just 20 months after its ground-breaking ceremony in April 2008.

Oman observer Quoted Hamdan al Shaqsy, GIPI CEO, as saying that: "We are proud to have successfully reached this ultimate milestone within budget and three months earlier than the contractual schedule and we expect to compliment this great accomplishment by completing the final formalities for obtaining our API\ ISO certification by January 2010 when we are due to start full commercial production."

GIPI manufactures high grade carbon steel pipes and casing within a diameter range of 8-24 inches and capability for wall thickness of up to 25 mm and pipe length of up to 18 metres. The pipe manufacturing process utilises state-of-the-art fifth generation mill technology.

The coating facilities are also being commissioned and capable of both internal and three layer external coating. GIPI is also equipped with professional in-house laboratory services offering full range of inspection and testing in accordance with international industry standards and can perform independent testing per UKAS certification on ISO/IEC 17025.

The shareholders of GIPI are Oman Investment Corporation (OIC), 30 per cent, Golden Dunes Investments (GDI), 30 per cent, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) based in Kuwait, 20 per cent, POSCO Steel Service and Sales Company based in Korea, 15 per cent and Arkan Group LLC, five per cent.