Proven steel pipe coating and thermal insulation solutions from Borealis at the International Pipeline Transport 2006 Exhibition

16.03.2006

Borealis together with Borouge, its joint venture in the Middle East and Asia with the Abu Dhabi national Oil Company (ADNOC), will present its steel pipe protective coating solutions and thermal insulation systems at the International Pipeline Transport 2006 Exhibition April 25-27 in Moscow. Demonstrating its commitment to the Russian oil & gas market, the complete spectrum of its coating products and solutions will be featured in Pavilion 7, Hall 6, Block J2 in the Krasnaya Presnya Exhibition Centre.

Proven solutions for Russia’s climatic conditions

According to Barry Turner, Application Marketing Manager, Business Unit Pipe: “Coating materials capable of providing high-performance under extreme conditions are essential for coping with Russia’s vast differences in terrain and climate. Borealis will showcase solutions that have proven their value to the Russian market.”

Borcoat™ high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe coating material from Borealis is able to provide an efficient solution for the long-term protection of steel pipes against corrosion. Borcoat HDPE is produced using Borealis’ proprietary, advanced, bimodal Borstar® technology that provides the plastic with especially good melt strength and extrudability. Moreover, it enhances the material’s mechanical and heat deformation properties as well as its resistance to stress cracking and crack propagation.

Borcoat HE3450 in combination with an intermediate layer of Borcoat ME0420 or Borcoat MO433 adhesive and a compatible powder epoxy, offers outstanding impact resistance. This enables it to cope with severe laying conditions as well as resistance to either low and high ambient temperatures in the range of -40 °C to 85 °C, thus covering the full extent of Russia’s climatic conditions.

Over the coming years, 4200 km of 1067 mm pipeline shall connect East Siberian oilfields with the Pacific Coast to supply oil to the Asia-Pacific region. The first pipes with external protective coating based on Borcoat HE3450 and Borcoat ME0420 were delivered to the Irkutsk region for the East Siberia - Pacific Ocean oil pipeline system in January 2006.

The North European Gas Pipeline connecting Russia with the Finnish Gulf coast and the European continent started delivering gas as of December 2005. The onshore part of this 1420 mm pipeline is protected with the combination of Borcoat HE3450 and Borcoat ME0420.

This coating system meets the tough requirements set by the Russian Scientific Research Institute for Natural Gas and Gas Technology (VNIIGAS) and the Russian Research Institute for Construction and Operation of Pipelines (VNIIST).

Borcoat PP multi-layer foam systems for thermal insulation, based on BB108E-1199, BB700E-7032, BA127E and BB213E, provide the necessary stiffness and high melt strength and are designed in such a way that a multi-layer system produces the required thermal insulation properties in a consistent and controlled manner and is retained when the pipeline is laid.

Thermal insulation is very important to ensure that fluids are delivered at the required temperatures. The Borcoat systems can be used to protect the pipe in deepwater applications. The PP compounds offer good insulation due to low thermal conductivity against severe external temperatures (-20°C to 140°C) and conditions. The fact that the insulated pipes are reliable and thus easy to install has further contributed to the success.

These products are produced in Borealis plants located in Finland and Sweden. This proximity offers logistical advantages for Russian customers who can be served directly by rail or road and allows a short delivery lead time.

Borcoat HE3450 is also produced by Borouge in its plant located in Ruwais, United Arab Emirates.

For further information, please contact:

Liesbeth Denys
Trade Media Relations Manager, Borealis
+32 15 47 90 24
lypresbo@borealisgroup.com

Barry Turner
Application Marketing Manager – Business Unit Pipe, Borealis
+46 303 86457
barry.turner@borealisgroup.com

For very high resolution pictures, please contact:

Paulien Boumans
+31 164 317 015
pboumans@emg.nl

Borealis is a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions. With more than 40 years of experience in the polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) business, we focus on pipe systems, energy and communications cables, automotive and advanced packaging markets. Our technology shapes plastic products that make an essential contribution to the society in which we live. We are committed to lead the way in ‘Shaping the Future with Plastics’.

Borouge brings the best of European technology to one of the Middle East’s most modern plants and is an expanding force in the plastics industry. It was established in 1998 as a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Borealis A/S, one of Europe’s largest polyolefin producers. Today, Borouge produces Borstar® bimodal Enhanced Polyethylene at its USD 1.2 billion petrochemical complex in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to promoting its own polyethylene products, Borouge also oversees the distribution and marketing of Borealis’ specialty polyolefins in the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Borcoat is a trademark of Borealis A/S

This press release (BLPR101) and relevant photography can also be downloaded from www.PressReleaseFinder.com.