TPT November 2007

Industry News

Interpipe to increase API 5L pipe production to capitalize on pre-qualification success

Interpipe Niko Tube and Interpipe NTRP have also gained pre-qualification from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (UAE) and been approved for inclusion in the list of manufacturers for oil and gas pipes produced in accordance with API 5L. As part of the prequalification process, the representatives of KOC and ADNOC carried out a technical audit and examined Interpipe’s pipe producing technologies and quality management system. The auditors recognised that Interpipe’s products reach the highest quality standards accepted in their companies. Commenting on the pre-qualification results, Mr Rostyslav Chudnovsky, director of tubular sales for the oil and gas industry said, “We are delighted to become an official supplier of KOC and ADNOC. This opportunity allows us to extend our customer base and improve our sales geography in the Middle East market.”

Interpipe has announced plans to increase production of seamless pipes for the oil and gas sector manufactured in accordance with the API 5L quality standard. This announcement follows on the heels of a pipe shipment growth increase of 13.3 per cent for the first half of 2007, and news of pre-qualification from a number of leading oil producers. To meet the production increases and new demand, Interpipe will construct a treatment line for line pipes at the company’s Niko Tube production facility to the south of its headquarters in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. The company will also construct an additional treatment line at existing Niko Tube facilities to decrease the loading of the main line. Mr Andrey Korotkov, Interpipe director for production and investments said: “We are experiencing a great surge in demand for pipes made in accordance with the API 5L standard within the oil and gas industry and in order to meet this increase in business we

need to expand our production capability. This is a terrific sign of the potential of the market for Interpipe in oil and gas – and we intend to maintain and grow our product lines in this area to support our ongoing global expansion.” Italian company Mair Research SpA was selected as the supplier of equipment for the project. Mair Research SpA will provide Interpipe with a double heads linear hydrotester, a cutting and milling machine, chamfering machine and packaging line. Capacity of the new line – due for completion at the end of 2008 – will be 250 thousand tons per year. Interpipe’s mills – Interpipe Niko Tube and Interpipe NTRP – have recently gained pre-qualification from a number of leading oil producing companies. Interpipe Niko Tube has been approved for inclusion in the Kuwait Oil Company’s approved list of manufacturers for oil and gas pipes produced in accordance with API 5CT.

Interpipe – Ukraine Fax : +380 562 389482 Website : www.interpipe.biz

ITALY–Tel: +39(0) 536 851616 – e-mail: info@apollosrl.com www.apollosrl.com N.C. punching lines for tubes and profiles

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N ovember /D ecember 2007