JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #97 - Special JEC Americas - May/June 2015 - 49

JCM: Which markets and geographical sectors
are you counting on for growth?

J.L.F. : The market sectors we have identi-

fied for growth are in downhole tubing and
in higher pressure, larger diameter transmission lines. FGS has produced glass fibre
downhole tubing for many years but has
not realized the market potential we feel is
possible. Corrosion does not start or stop at
the wellhead, so the use of downhole tubing
makes as much sense as the use of line pipe,
whether the corrosive salt water is flowing
from the well or being re-injected back in.
Reducing the number of "trips" needed in a
well is a valuable cost-saving measure. FGS
has also expanded the range of pressure and
diameter of our proprietary Star SuperSeal joint and has supplied high-pressure,
large-diameter pipe to several projects in
the U. S. and abroad. Geographically, the U.
S. remains our strongest individual market,
but more and more opportunities are seen
in Australia, the Middle East and South
America. Getting engineers informed and
confident in the features and benefits of
glass fibre products is a key element to success in these emerging markets. Also, having
the prerequisite industry approvals, such as
API license to apply their monogram, helps
significantly to influence the decision to use
a "new" product (although glass fibre pipe
has been made and sold for over 65 years!).

JCM: Are you counting mainly on organic growth or on acquisitions for your
development?

J.L.F. : Growth in our business will come
primarily from within - organic growth.
Expansion of our footprint may happen,
such as building another manufacturing
facility in a new region, but for composite

production technologies. This integrated
approach delivers greater certainty, reliability
and peace of mind.
Piping and composite solutions
NOV Fiber Glass Systems is integrated in
this third business unit. The company manufactures composite pipe and fittings engineered for efficiency and performance. The
lightweight corrosion-resistant design is easy
to install and maintenance free, lowering

piping, we feel our products and processes
cover the vast majority of market needs
throughout the world.
JCM: Do you plan on diversifying beyond your
traditional sectors?

J.L.F. : FGS has long been the innovation

and technical leader in this industry. We are
always looking for ways to expand our scope
of supply in the oil & gas and other piping
markets we serve. We have recently extracted the mining market from our traditional
chemical & industrial market in order to
place a clearer focus on the specific piping
needs of that industry. This is an example
of our willingness to adapt the business to
address significant needs that arise. Glass
fibre pipe does not dictate the movement
of the markets we serve. As they change, we
need to be willing to change with them.

mentioned above, to also include temperature extremes, as well as pressure and diameter combinations. We work in parallel with
material suppliers to improve the synergistic
performance of matrix and reinforcement
materials in the finished composite product.
JCM: Do you foresee any projects outside of
composites?

J.L.F. : No. Our focus is on composites and

to look outside that arena would dilute resources that would be better used on existing
projects. FGS does work with other NOV
business units to provide a comprehensive
"package" solution to customer problems, as
well as work with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to provide composite
components to products outside the scope
of our business, so we are not totally myopic,
but we try not to get too distracted from our
core business.

JCM: Have you scheduled any investments in
the field of composites?

JCM: What are your upcoming challenges?

J.L.F. : The FGS R&D department is

J.L.F. : Two continuing needs in the

always investing resources in materials and
processes in an effort to cause a breakthrough with a new, disruptive technology. This investment is primarily internal,
although support of university research
programmes and education on composites
is also provided where it is justified.

JCM: What does your research focus on in this
field?

J.L.F. : Our research focuses on two basic

themes. One is on simplifying or consolidating the materials and products we use
or produce to be as efficient and straightforward as we can be to help the market
understand our offerings. The other would
be in expanding our scope of supply, as
installation and operation costs. And with
a proven history of longevity - an original
installation can successfully operate for more
than five decades - the economic advantage
endures time. Offering value and innovation, Fiber Glass Systems solves the inherent
problems associated with using traditional
piping materials for tough applications and
harsh environments.
NOV Fiber Glass Systems can provide
complete turnkey solutions for owners,

composite piping markets are non-destructive testing methods and improvement of
damage tolerance. Other materials have
made advances or have inherent performance in these areas and composites are
"expected" to have the same if they want
to compete. While nothing can be done to
some materials to influence their properties,
composites have proven to be very adaptable
to meet certain performance needs that are
not fundamental to the material (such as
electrical conductivity, fire endurance, select
mechanical properties based on fibre orientation of the laminate, etc.). Overcoming
the technical or physical "barriers to entry"
into some traditional markets are ongoing
challenges within the industry.
engineers and contractors, and the company
assists at every stage of a project - from
conception through operation. They have
extensive experience designing, engineering,
manufacturing, fabricating and installing
piping systems for aggressive chemicals,
abrasive slurries, temperature extremes and
high pressure, as well as milder applications.
Products and process
NOV Fiber Glass Systems products range

No97 May - June 2015 /

jec composites magazine 49

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #97 - Special JEC Americas - May/June 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #97 - Special JEC Americas - May/June 2015