Activity in the seamless pipe market has remained sluggish in the UAE. Trading companies have quite high stocks and show minimal demand amid slow consumption. Chinese, Ukrainian, Argentinian and Romanian suppliers have left their offers unchanged over the past month. At the same time, quotations of South African, Japanese and German material have declined by around $50/mt over the period under review. Most market players seem to be optimistic as regards the prospects for the UAE seamless pipe market in the first quarter next year as some oil projects are planned to be started in the country.
Most offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM/API are being given to the local UAE market at $800-850/mt CFR. Offers of 7"-9 5/8" casing of J55 and K55 grade as per API 5CT from Chinese suppliers are coming to the UAE at around $900-950/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $1,060-1,090/mt CFR, while 8"-10" Sch 40 pipes are at $1,090-1,120/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,400-1,430/mt CFR.
South African (ArcelorMittal) seamless pipes, 3"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API, are being quoted to the UAE in the range of $1,020-1,050/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Argentina, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API from Tenaris, are being given to the UAE at $1,500-1,560/mt CFR.
Quotations from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (NSSMC) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,400-1,450/mt CFR.