On November 11, Jingzhou, Hubei-based Chinese pipemaker Shashi Steel Pipe Works (SSPW) announced that, having exported 27,000 mt of steel pipes to Iraq in 2009, it has lately received an order worth RMB 370 million for the export of 56,000 mt of pipes to Iraq. This is the biggest order the company has received in 10 years. On the date in question, officials from the Iraq's oil ministry visited SSPW to check its pipe production. Iraq has proven oil reserves of 140 billion barrels, ranking second in the world.
Established in 1975, SSPW possesses three advanced SAW pipe production lines. Two lines - one line in Jingzhou and the other in Wuhan - are for spiral welded pipes, while the third production in Jingzhou is for longitudinal welded pipes.