TPT January 2008

C ontents

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E ditorial I ndex

It’s that busy time again! Renewal and reinvigoration is always the customary name of the game come January of any new year. But this year seems to hold more urgency than most, with serious change taking place on a number of levels. Whether anyone resolves to do anything or not, 2008 is set to be an incredibly challenging year. With the current state of the world economy at its worst in over a decade, economists are predicting downturns ranging from grim to worse. Issues of the economy are also likely to play a central theme in the important elections that will take place around the globe in 2008, with new presidents due to take over in Russia and the USA. A relief from these demanding conditions, the forthcoming Tube Düsseldorf is set to be a corker of a show, with over 800 exhibitors already booked (the exhibitor list is previewed on pages 28-43). However, even the ever-reliable Tube Düsseldorf will be impacted by newness as the show will be joined for the first time by Metav 2008. Also a first for 2008, INTRAS Publications will launch Tube Products INTERNATIONAL , a new magazine aimed at the producer and end-user of tube and pipe products. In careful planning over the last 12 months, the first issue of the magazine – edited by Mr Paul Hogg (paul@intras.co.uk) – will be distributed at Tube Düsseldorf 2008.

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I ndustry N ews

44

T echnology U pdate

78

O il & G as N ews

102 F rom T he A mericas

136 A dvertisers I ndex

The spirit of regeneration has even affected Tube & Pipe Technology ; you may have noticed that a little redecoration has taken place this issue. The more observant readers will also have noticed that my photo has changed. Please don’t be surprised if it looks like I have aged somewhat. I assure you that it’s just worry about the amount of work involved in the forthcoming Tube Düsseldorf issue!

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Rich Sears Editor • Email: richard@intras.co.uk

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

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

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 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. Tel/Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email : dfabian@rcn.com

Sales & marketing

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

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Advertising co-ordinator

• Liz Hughes

Accounts manager

• Richard Babbedge

Subscriptions

• Liz Hughes

Publisher

• Caroline Sullens

Founder

• John C Hogg

US Copies only: Tube & Pipe Technology (ISSN No: 0953-2386) 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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