TPT March 2009

C ontents

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E ditorial I ndex

Keeping faith in the Russian market It was 2003 when I had the honour to attend the very first Tube Russia exhibition. Started at the height of Russia’s (and the world’s) economic boom, the inaugural Tube Russia revealed a market to the tube and pipe community that had hitherto been a bit of a mystery. At the time, other than the Russian history studied at school, I knew little about the world’s largest country: its traditions, culture, language, economy and business mentality. But from my first visit, I discovered Moscow to be a fascinating and complex city, with hidden and enriching layers beneath a surface hardened by history. The country had clearly been waiting for some form of economic stability, increased living standards, and free market business. Tube Russia has now been running for six years, in which time an increasing number of companies have been drawn into the Russian market. Some rules still apply for this difficult to penetrate market, such as expensive freight and the necessity to find a regional partner. But a more open approach is gradually emerging, assisted by easier business policies and a more dynamic generation of business people. With the current state of the global economy, and Russia traditionally being a place of financial instability, the best approach to take with the Russian market is one of faith. While the world holds its breath over the current economic crisis, the majority of businesses are still out there trying to carry on as normal. And this year’s sold-out Tube Russia will be a great opportunity for companies to put this faith

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I ndustry N ews

28 T echnology U pdate

76 O il & G as N ews

88 F rom T he A mericas

112 A dvertisers I ndex

and confidence on display. The event should prove to be as on-song as ever, especially taking place in the same week as the Eurovision Song Contest. To help the industry communicate with the Russian market, Tube & Pipe Technology has just launched a Russian language news service. The main news and feature sections will be translated into Russian every issue and posted on www.read-tpt.com. Rich Sears Editor • Email: richard@intras.co.uk

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The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

Published by: Intras Publications , 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HY, UK Tel : +44 1926 334137 • Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : tpt@intras.co.uk Website : www.read-tpt.com USA Office (Editorial only): Intras Limited, 272 First Ave, Apt 12G, New York, NY 10009, USA Tel/Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email : dfabian@rcn.com Indian Office: Jintras Ltd, Subarna (Ground Floor) P21/N, Block A New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, India Tel: +91 33 2407 0701 • Fax : +91 33 2407 0700 Email : jeroov@vsnl.com All rights reserved – © Intras Ltd ISSN 0953-2366 This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. Tube & Pipe Technology reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Tube & Pipe Technology expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this disclaimer are governed by the laws of England.

Editor • Rich Sears Features editor (USA) • Dorothy Fabian Editorial assistant • Christian Bradley Production manager • Lisa Benjamin Design • Julie Tomlin

• Catherine Sayers English speaking sales • Giuliana Benedetto Italian sales • Hendrike Morriss German speaking sales • Linda Li Chinese sales • Jeroo Vandrevala Indian sales

Sales & marketing

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• Liz Hughes

Advertising co-ordinators

Andrea McIntosh

• Liz Hughes

Subscriptions

• Richard Babbedge

Accounts manager

• Caroline Sullens

Publisher

• John C Hogg

Founder

US Copies only: Tube & Pipe Technology (ISSN No: 0953-2366) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Tube & Pipe Technology , PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Tube & Pipe Technology magazine is available on subscription, or via membership of the International Tube Association – See www.itatube.org for more membership benefits

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