DeepFlex Inc.  Announces shipment of a Deep Water Pipe to Saipem S.p.A. for the Urugua Oil and Gas Project from its Manitowoc, WI  Manufacturing Facility.

By: Joseph W. Wilson, DeepFlex, Inc.              

• DeepFlex Inc. delivers a game-changing deepwater solution for Saipem, one of the world’s largest offshore construction companies.  The product is the first deep water solution supplied by DeepFlex and will be delivered to Saipem for use offshore Brazil.  Brazil’s oil and gas industry is the largest flexible pipe market in the world.
• The 3”OD, 1500 Meter water depth pipe reduces Saipem’s off shore risk for commissioning oil and gas export pipelines at an economical price.  The quality of the product was confirmed through extensive quality control management, factory acceptance testing including hydro testing for 24 hours prior to acceptance.
• The pipe project was completed during a period when the manufacturing facility at Manitowoc, WI achieved 365 days without an OSHA recordable injury.
• The 60 ton pipe and reel will be loaded from the manufacturing facility at City Center Industrial Complex on to a barge at 1200pm Saturday, October 17, 2009, and then transferred to a ship in Montreal, Canada for overseas delivery.

DeepFlex Inc.
DeepFlex Inc. is a manufacturer of Flexible Fiber Reinforced Pipe (FFRP).  The FFRP® pipe is used in the oil and gas industry in off shore applications for the delivery of products from sub- sea wells to Floating Production Storage & Offloading vessels (FPSO), as well as the injection of production aids to sub-sea wells.  DeepFlex is the world’s only manufacturer of a un-bonded, non-metallic pipe for deep water applications and holds numerous patents protecting the technology.  The composite pipe is light weight (compared to metallic clad flexible and rigid steel pipe), as well as flexible and reusable.  It is manufactured in continuous lengths, with superior product insulating properties, increased water depth utilization and tremendous compressive load capabilities.  These product characteristics provide the sub-sea oil and gas industry with:

• Reduced installation time and costs for construction contractors and operators
• A longer product life and lower full life-cycle costs due to the product’s ability to resist corrosion from seawater, produced water, H2S and CO2.
• Higher flow rates, reduced hydrate and wax formation, reduced need for insulation and chemical injections
• Reduced fatigue problems, longer product life, reduced maintenance and replacement costs
• Shorter repair time, decreased risk of lost production, project savings
• Reduced carbon footprint and minimal use of hazardous chemicals in environmentally sensitive areas.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin Facility
The Wisconsin facility has evolved since its beginning in 2004 to reach its current designation as DeepFlex Inc. Manufacturing Plant Number One.  It is currently the only manufacturing facility producing un-bonded, non-metallic pipe for deep water oil and gas extraction.  It is envisioned to be the model or standard for all future manufacturing facilities built by DeepFlex Inc.

Safety
The site has worked diligently over the past year to achieve an OSHA Total Recordable Injury Rate of Zero.  A Zero TRIR is a significant accomplishment for any organization.  Currently, the site is working on extending the successful safety approach, which includes valuing people and always working safely, to the vendor and contractor population that support the site. This is accomplished through mandatory Contractor Safety Training led by Manitowoc’s Management Team.

Corporation
DeepFlex Inc. is headquartered in Houston, TX and is incorporated in the State of Delaware.  The Company leases two structures in the City Center Industrial Complex in Manitowoc for its manufacturing operations.  DeepFlex Inc. currently employees approximately 60 employees on 3 continents, the largest portion are employed at the manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, WI.

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