Russia-based TMK, one of the world's leading oil and gas steel pipe producers, has announced its production results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2013.
In the fourth quarter of 2013, TMK shipped 1.113 million mt of steel pipes to customers, representing a five percent increase compared to the previous quarter. TMK shipped a total of 4.313 million mt of steel pipes to customers in 2013, up 2.2 percent from 2012 and constituting an all-time high for the company. The increase was driven by stronger demand in the welded pipe segment.
In the last quarter of 2013, TMK's oil country tubular good (OCTG) shipment volumes increased by 10.8 percent quarter on quarter, while the full year shipment volumes indicated a 7.3 percent increase year on year.
In 2013, TMK's seamless pipe shipments fell by 1.9 percent year on year to 2.449 million mt. In the fourth quarter, on the back of the seasonal rise in demand from oil and gas companies, shipments were up by 14 percent quarter on quarter, reaching 642,000 mt.
Welded pipe shipments rose by 8.3 percent year on year in 2013 to 1.864 million mt as a result of improved demand for welded OCTG and line pipe, as well as for large diameter (LD) pipes. Compared to the third quarter of 2013, shipments in the fourth quarter were down by 5.2 percent, mainly due to a decline in orders for LD pipes and industrial pipes.
Shipments of premium connections reached 774,000 joints in 2013, up 26.3 percent year on year. In the fourth quarter, premium connection shipments remained unchanged compared to the third quarter.