Recorded here, in case this turns out to have been a stroke of genius: Long Pipes is a private company I had the opportunity to invest in last year through a friend's connection with the company. It is developing what could be a disruptive technology, or perhaps better to say 'technique' of producing pipe, in very long lengths, in the field. Here is their website. It is still frustratingly early days, and the company is still in Pty Ltd status, so several of us have formed a trust to go in as one shareholder. But LP will become a limited company soon, meaning that the restrictions on number of shareholders will be lifted. IPO pending, or so we're told Any comments or feedback welcome.. Industry insights, war stories, cautionary tales (though it's a bit late for those!).
I've look at their presentation video; looks like a portable pipe extruder system. Laying 500m per hour is pretty damn good. Does Long Pipes hold any patents for their system? Is the polymer mix proprietary?
Yes exactly, forming composite pipe in the field. They do have patents. The founder Neil Graham is a veteran of Eagle Aircraft and Quickstep and has been developing composite tech for decades. They use commercially available resins at this stage. The 500m/hr claim is somewhat optimistic.. even when it's all up and running that will be unattainable. But they'll be able to lay a pipeline with minimal crew and equipment, faster than other methods. They have done some small projects recently and are continuing to fine-tune the process. Slow going for now, but they have at least voted to amend the company constitution to become a Ltd company which means trading shares (privately) will be easier. The big payoff is still some way away.
