The seamless pipe market in the UAE has indicated a downtrend in prices during the past month against a background of poor demand and low transaction volumes. In the given period, quotations of Chinese pipes have decreased by a maximum of $20/mt, prices for Ukrainian material have declined by $40-50/mt, offers of Romanian materials have fallen by $30/mt, while quotations of Argentinian, German and Japanese seamless pipes have declined by $20-25/mt. During the past month, import offers of seamless pipes from South Africa have remained stable. However, buyers are hesitating to purchase material taking into account the ongoing weakness of consumer demand. Meanwhile, the seamless pipe market in the UAE may see a revival of business activity in the second quarter amid the resumption of work on oil and gas projects and low stocks.
Most offers of seamless pipes of 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM/API from the majority of Chinese mills are being given to the local UAE market at $580-620/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $900-920/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are at $920-950/mt CFR.
Quotations from South Africa for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $980-1,030/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,070-1,110/mt CFR.
Offers of Argentinian (Tenaris) seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to the UAE are at $1,360-1,400/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 $1,255-1,300/mt CFR.