Published: March 2026
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) specialist Strohm has secured a new offshore contract in Southeast Asia, reinforcing the growing role of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pipelines in deepwater oil and gas infrastructure.
The project involves the supply of two insulated carbon fiber PA12 (CF/PA12) TCP production jumpers for a field extension located offshore Sabah, East Malaysia—one of the region’s emerging deepwater energy hubs.
Project overview: deepwater deployment with high-performance materials
The contract scope includes:
- 2 × 7-inch internal diameter TCP jumpers
- Insulated configuration for thermal management
- Associated ancillaries and system components
- Delivery to Dynamic Ocean Sdn Bhd (DOSB) under an EPCI framework
Key project parameters:
- Location: 120 km offshore Sabah, East Malaysia
- Water depth: 1,350 meters
- Installation timeline: 2027
At this depth, pipeline systems must withstand:
- extreme hydrostatic pressure
- cyclic loading from currents and operations
- aggressive chemical environments
This is where TCP technology provides a clear advantage over traditional steel-based solutions.
Why CF/PA12 TCP is gaining traction in offshore applications
The supplied pipes are based on carbon fiber reinforced PA12 thermoplastic composites, a material system increasingly favored in subsea environments.
Key performance advantages:
1. Fully non-metallic and corrosion-free
Unlike steel pipelines, TCP systems are inherently resistant to:
- corrosion from seawater
- degradation from sour hydrocarbons (H₂S environments)
- chemical attack during long-term service
This significantly reduces:
- maintenance requirements
- inspection frequency
- lifecycle costs
2. High fatigue resistance
Carbon fiber reinforcement provides:
- excellent fatigue performance under cyclic loading
- resistance to crack propagation
- improved durability in dynamic offshore conditions
This is particularly critical for jumpers and risers, where repeated stress cycles are unavoidable.
3. Lightweight and flexible
Compared to steel pipes, TCP systems are:
- significantly lighter
- easier to transport and handle
- more flexible during installation
This enables deployment using:
- smaller multipurpose vessels
- reduced offshore installation complexity
According to industry data, this can reduce installation costs by up to 30%.
4. Thermal insulation capability
The insulated configuration of these jumpers ensures:
- stable flow temperatures
- reduced risk of hydrate formation
- improved production efficiency
This is essential for deepwater oil production, where temperature drops can disrupt flow assurance.
Strategic significance: Southeast Asia offshore expansion
This contract aligns with a broader regional trend.
According to Rystad Energy:
- ~$100 billion is expected to be invested in offshore gas projects in Southeast Asia by 2028
Key drivers include:
- new deepwater discoveries
- expansion of existing fields
- increasing regional energy demand
Countries such as:
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
are accelerating development of offshore resources, particularly in deepwater environments where traditional infrastructure becomes more challenging and expensive.
Why TCP fits the next phase of offshore development
As offshore projects move into deeper waters, operators face three key pressures:
- Cost reduction
- Operational reliability
- Faster deployment timelines
TCP technology directly addresses all three.
Compared to conventional steel pipelines:
| Factor | Steel Pipe | TCP |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion | Requires protection | Inherently corrosion-free |
| Weight | Heavy | Lightweight |
| Installation | Complex, heavy vessels | Smaller vessels |
| Fatigue resistance | Moderate | High |
| Lifecycle cost | High maintenance | Lower total cost |
This makes TCP particularly attractive for:
- subsea jumpers
- flowlines
- risers
- offshore tiebacks
Business impact: strengthening Strohm’s regional footprint
For Strohm, this contract represents more than a single project.
It signals:
- growing customer confidence in TCP technology
- deeper penetration into the Asia-Pacific offshore market
- positioning as a long-term infrastructure partner
The collaboration with Dynamic Ocean Sdn Bhd under an EPCI framework also highlights Strohm’s role not just as a material supplier, but as a system-level solution provider.
Engineering perspective: where TCP still faces challenges
Despite its advantages, TCP adoption is not without challenges.
Key considerations include:
- qualification standards for different offshore environments
- long-term performance validation under extreme conditions
- integration with existing subsea infrastructure
- cost competitiveness at large diameters
However, as more field deployments are completed successfully, these barriers are gradually decreasing.
Final perspective
The adoption of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite pipes in deepwater oil and gas projects is no longer experimental—it is becoming a mainstream engineering solution.
Strohm’s latest contract in Southeast Asia reflects a clear industry direction:
- moving away from heavy, corrosion-prone steel systems
- toward lightweight, durable, and cost-efficient composite infrastructure
As offshore investments accelerate across Asia, technologies like TCP are positioned to play a central role in enabling safer, more efficient, and more scalable energy production.