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PETRONAS recently emerged as the winner in the oil and gas category of the JEC Europe 2014 Innovation Awards for its new breakthrough – the PROASSURE – a composite clamp for pipeline repair.

The composite clamp which was developed by PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd (PRSB), the research arm of PETRONAS with Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS) of Australia, is the world’s first composite solution designed for in-situ repair system for pipelines with through-wall defects. It comprises two half-shell parts that are bolted together around the leaking pipeline, providing leak and pressure containment.

The technology has many benefits over conventional metal clamps. It is not only cost-effective and light-weight, but also resistant to corrosion as well as can be custom-made and fabricated quickly.

Completed in November 2013, the technology had successfully undergone qualification testing, including a 1,000-hour long-term pressure test at an elevated temperature which was certified by Lloyd’s Register.

PRSB’s Head of Advanced Materials, Dr K H Leong accepted the award on behalf of PETRONAS at a ceremony held during JEC Europe 2014 Composites Conference on 11 March 2014 in Paris.

The JEC Europe 2014 Innovation Awards attracted over 100 entries from around the globe vying for recognition in 15 different categories.

It is an internationally-recognised platform for promoting innovation especially in composite technology.