TMK IPSCO, the North American division of Russian steelmaker OAO TMK, announced Tuesday that is has begun development of a new 33,000 square-foot pipe threading and service facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The production equipment at the facility will thread a full range of TMK's ULTRA Premium connections, 4 ½ to 13 3/8 inches. In addition, the site will offer a full line of accessories, services and repairs. The facility is expected to begin operating in late 2012.
TMK IPSCO has been operating in Canada since 2010, with an OCTG sales office already located in Calgary. In a press release, TMK said that as the Canadian market continues to shift toward unconventional gas and oil resources, proven premium connections will be in higher demand. The new TMK plan in Edmonton will be situated near the Horn River, Montney and Duvernay shales.