Foreign suppliers of seamless pipes continue to strengthen their positions in the Saudi Arabian market amid strong demand and projects being implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) of Saudi Arabia. Chinese seamless pipe prices have been raised by $100-110/mt over the past month. Prices for Ukrainian pipes have risen by $45-60/mt over the same period. Import quotations of seamless pipes from Romania have increased by $50/mt. Offer prices from Japan, which increased last month, have remained at their previous levels.
In particular, offers of Chinese seamless pipes 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are being given to the Saudi Arabian market at $840-870/mt C&F.
Quotations of Ukrainian seamless pipes (Interpipe) 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are at $1,000-1,015/mt C&F. Russian seamless pipes 10"-14" grade B as per ASTM A106/API 5L are being offered to the Saudi market at $1,050-1,100/mt C&F.
Romanian seamless pipes from ArcelorMittal 6"-10" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are quoted at around $1,050-1,100/mt C&F Saudi Arabia. Quotations of 2"-6" seamless pipes from South Africa (ArcelorMittal) grade B as per API 5L are at about $1,000/mt C&F.
Quotations of seamless pipes to Saudi Arabia from Japan (Sumitomo) for 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are varying at about $1,250-1,300/mt C&F.
Demand for seamless pipes in Saudi Arabia looking forward is going to continue to rise. The state budget is allocating almost $70 billion for investments this year, a 16 percent increase on 2009. Saudi Arabia is devoting part of its oil revenues to building infrastructure such as roads, airports, power and water facilities and energy projects. The Kingdom expects that demand for energy will expand as a result of the growth of the world economy.