Al Gharbia Pipe Company (AGPC), an Abu Dhabi-based producer of longitudinally submerged arc welded (LSAW) steel pipes, is using AI, automation, and digital technologies to improve product quality and operational resilience, while strengthening its logistics capabilities to meet the evolving regional situation
These technologies support the development of pipeline networks in the UAE and wider Middle East region that underpin modern energy needs and long-term energy transition ambitions.
The Middle East occupies a pivotal position in the global energy landscape. Any disruption to vital shipping lanes affects international supply chains, underscoring the importance of developing alternative routes and strengthening regional infrastructure to enable the uninterrupted movement of energy resources.
AGPC has played a significant role in supporting this objective, supplying 360,000m or 220,000 metric tonnes of LSAW steel pipes for a major oil pipeline project. This pipeline is an alternative export pathway that enhances flexibility and reinforces the UAE’s energy supply chain.
Additionally, AGPC’s access to Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port on the Arabian Gulf, and the Port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman allow its steel plate imports and LSAW pipe exports to reach international destinations unimpeded. These multiple port options keep deliveries moving in the event of regional disruption.
Noritsugu Mifune, CEO of Al Gharbia Pipe Company, said, “Resilient supply chains are essential for regional and global economies to mitigate disruption of passage along key trade routes. Al Gharbia Pipe Company’s advanced manufacturing and logistics capabilities help supply steel pipes for strategic pipeline networks. This helps strengthen reliability and security of energy flows across the region.”
AGPC’s AI-powered quality inspection and safety monitoring systems quickly and accurately identify potential defects and help prevent workplace safety incidents. Combined with advanced automation and digital production technologies, these capabilities enhance traceability, reduce operational risk and ensure that critical pipeline infrastructure meets the standards required by major energy transit projects.
AGPC can also support the decarbonisation of the energy sector by manufacturing pipes for hydrogen transit. These pipes meet ASME B31.12 standards, providing resistance to fracturing caused by hydrogen embrittlement.
Mifune said, “As demand grows for secure, reliable and resilient energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing must play a greater role in supporting the region’s long-term ambitions. By integrating AI, automation and Industry 4.0 technologies throughout our operations, AGPC is delivering higher quality, greater efficiency and a more robust supply chain, while helping build the foundations for the energy systems of the future.”
As the Middle East navigates a complex operating environment, advanced, AI-enabled manufacturing technologies and multiple supply chain routes help ensure critical pipeline assets meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. These enable manufacturers to build stronger, safer, and more reliable infrastructure that supports regional energy security for decades to come.
