The expanding role of composites in India’s oil and gas industry

 India’s extensive coastline, ageing hydrocarbon infrastructure and surging energy demand are driving significant innovation in materials technology. Among the most critical issues confronting the oil and gas sector is corrosion, which results in substantial annual maintenance and replacement costs. Corrosion-related degradation costs for Indian oil companies are estimated over ₹250 billion (€2,6 billion) annually. Composites, owing to their corrosion resistance, light weight and extended service life, are playing an increasingly important role in the value chain of the oil and gas industry.

The primary drivers for the adoption of composites in this sector include corrosion resistance in offshore platforms and chemically aggressive environments; weight savings in subsea and surface systems, which facilitates handling and reduce structural loads; electrical insulation properties, which eliminate the need for grounding in explosive or hazardous areas; and extended lifecycle resulting in reduced downtime, maintenance frequency and total cost of ownership.  

Composite integration in upstream infrastructure

Upstream, composites are mainly used in piping systems, particularly for subsea flowlines, risers and jumpers. While global players are increasingly deploying Thermoplastic Composite Pipes (TCP) for these applications, India predominantly uses glass-reinforced thermosetting pipes, mainly to reduce costs and utilise established supply chains. These composite pipes generally feature glass fibre reinforced polyester linings, providing superior resistance to abrasion and corrosion, especially in saline or acidic environments.

Composites are now being used for drilling components too, in tools such as frac plugs, bridge plugs and frac balls. These components benefit from high strength-to-weight ratios and resistance to degradation in high-pressure, high temperature environments. Companies like Lamtuf Plastics Ltd. in Hyderabad supply high-performance glass-epoxy laminates (e.g., FR4, G10) to manufacturers like Atlas Fibre, supporting applications in downhole tooling and wireline support equipment.