FRP Firewater Pipeline Project for Sirte Basin Oilfield, Libya

Project Background

This project involves the successful completion and commissioning of an onshore oilfield firewater pipeline system in the Sirte Basin, Libya. The project was delivered in cooperation with a major Libyan oil operator and serves as a critical fire protection infrastructure for one of the country’s core oil-producing regions.

Given the Sirte Basin’s harsh desert environment and aging oilfield facilities, the client required a durable, corrosion-resistant, and low-maintenance pipeline solution capable of ensuring long-term operational safety. Our custom-designed FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) pipes were selected as the primary firewater transmission system after comprehensive technical evaluation.

● Application: Onshore oilfield firewater system
● Pipeline length: 8 km
● Operating environment: Desert oilfield
● Temperature range: –5°C to 50°C
● Key challenges: Strong UV exposure, corrosive saline-alkaline soil, aging infrastructure

Technical Challenges

Traditional steel pipelines used in Libyan oilfields have suffered from corrosion, high maintenance requirements, and reduced service life due to extreme environmental conditions. The client specifically sought an alternative solution that could withstand aggressive soil conditions, temperature fluctuations, and long-term exposure to oilfield media while maintaining reliable hydraulic performance for fire protection.

To meet these requirements, our FRP pipes were engineered with a high-strength filament-wound structure and a corrosion-resistant resin system. The pipes fully comply with ISO 24817 and NACE RP0375 standards applicable to oil and gas pipeline systems. During commissioning, the pipeline system successfully passed hydrostatic pressure testing at 1.5 times the design pressure, demonstrating stable structural performance and reliable joint integrity.

Performance Advantages

Excellent Corrosion Resistance：Effectively resists saline-alkaline soil conditions and exposure to hydrocarbons, eliminating the risk of electrochemical corrosion common in steel pipelines.

Smooth Internal Surface：Inner wall roughness coefficient of 0.0084 ensures stable and unobstructed firewater flow, improving system reliability during emergency response.

Lightweight and Easy Installation：The reduced weight of FRP pipes significantly simplified transportation and installation in remote desert areas, improving installation efficiency by approximately 30% compared to steel pipelines.

Low Maintenance: Designed service life exceeds 50 years, with minimal inspection and maintenance requirements, substantially reducing the client’s long-term operating costs.

Project Significance

With Libya’s oil sector accelerating infrastructure upgrades amid improving stability, demand for durable and low-maintenance pipeline systems continues to grow. The successful completion of this project marks our effective entry into the Libyan energy market and demonstrates our capability to deliver reliable FRP pipeline solutions under demanding technical, environmental, and logistical conditions typical of African oilfield projects.

“We selected these FRP pipes for their proven performance in harsh oilfield environments,the installation process was seamless, and the pressure test results fully met our fire protection requirements, providing a dependable safety barrier for our core oil production assets.”said the project manager of the Libyan oil operator. 

Conclusion

We remain committed to providing customized FRP pipeline solutions for global energy and industrial infrastructure. For detailed technical specifications, corrosion resistance test data, or additional international project references, please contact our sales team or visit our official website.