TPi May 2014

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48 Tube Products International May 2014
Oi l and gas
Approval from oil companies
TMK, a producer of tubular products for
the oil and gas industry, has received
official confirmation that its pipes made
from the company’s own Russian-
produced billets are eligible for use
by Iraq’s South Oil Company (SOC).
SOC’s engineers visited TMK’s Russian
facilities to get an overview of pipe billet
production technology. Based on their
technical report, TMK’s pipes received
the Iraqi Ministry of Oil approval for
being used by SOC.
“TMK has put a lot of effort into securing
its presence on the Iraqi market, which
boasts strong potential for further
growth,” commented TMK CEO
Alexander Shiryaev. “The decision made
by the national Ministry of Oil proves the
high quality of our pipe and billet, putting
them alongside those made in the US,
Japan and Western Europe. From now
on, TMK is fully capable of delivering
pipe to both South Oil Company and
any other state-controlled oil and gas
producer in Iraq.”
In a separate development, Taganrog
Metallurgical Works (TAGMET), a TMK
subsidiary, has been qualified by Kuwait
Oil Company (KOC) as an approved
supplier of ТМK UP PF and ТМK UP PF
ET premium connections.
ТМK UP PF connections are used in
tubing and casing pipe strings for wells
with intense borehole crooking, while
ТМK UP PF ET connections ensure
high tightness of the casing string at
extreme loads and torque, and can be
used in complex oil and gas production
technologies, such as drilling with casing.
“KOC qualification of our TMK UP
connections offers new opportunities
to promote our products in the Middle
East,” said Mr Shiryaev. “Expanding
sales of high-margin premium pipe
products is TMK’s strategic priority.”
TMK – Russia
GRP systems
With a 50-year company history,
Fiberdur is an experienced
manufacturer of glass fibre reinforced
piping systems. The company’s
service covers a wide range of GRP
pipes and fittings made of epoxy
resin, vinyl ester resin and polyester
resin. This flexibility allows the
company to engineer customised
piping systems meeting high quality
requirements.
Fiberdur piping systems are resistant
against many corrosive, abrasive
and chemical media, as well as
being high-pressure resistant. The
material properties make Fiberdur
GRP pipe systems a choice for any
application with high forces and high
temperatures.
TPR Fiberdur GmbH & Co KG –
Germany
Strong outlook for offshore pipe industry
The European outlook for the offshore
pipe industry in 2014 is positive,
according to a report conducted by
Tata Steel, a supplier of deep-water pipe
line solutions.
The study points to high energy
demand from Africa, Asia and BRIC
(Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations,
which will continue to drive offshore
developments. It also highlights the
growth in deep water developments
in Africa and Europe as signs that the
offshore pipe line industry is set to
continue its recovery.
Richard Broughton, commercial
manager for the pipe lines division of
Tata Steel, said, “Whilst it is undeniable
that the economic recovery has been
sluggish and as a consequence progress
in major infrastructure projects has been
delayed, we are now experiencing real
signs of recovery and a change in
momentum, both onshore and offshore.
“Budgets will continue to be challenged,
but the industry will continue to step up
to the challenge, push the boundaries
and drive innovation.”
Investment in deep water
exploration has increased
significantly over the past year
and is expected to continue as
easy-to-reach reserves continue
to be depleted.
Also emphasised is the likely
growth in pipe line transportation
as new sources of shale gas
come on line. In particular, the
report highlights Russia as a
region of significance for 2014.
Mr Broughton added, “Increased
investment from operators will see
infrastructure requirements grow.
Already we are beginning to see the
signs of this offshore activity in regions
like the Gulf of Mexico, where spending
will represent a third of all deep water
activity globally, and the Middle East,
where existing brownfield infrastructure
needs to be replaced and new installed.
Both represent significant opportunities
for the pipe line industry. Shale will also
play an important role, particularly as
renewable energy progress has been
intermittent.”
The European operations of Tata Steel
comprise Europe’s second largest steel
producer.
The company supplies steel and related
services to construction, automotive,
packaging, rail, lifting and excavating,
energy and power, aerospace and other
demanding markets worldwide.
Tata Steel Europe Ltd – UK
Tata Steel’s report shows a positive outlook