Vallourec completes first production at US pipe mill

France-based global manufacturer of pipe and tube Vallourec has announced that it has successfully produced the first pipes at its new US mill in Youngstown, Ohio, with first sales scheduled for the beginning of 2013.
 
The new mill will produce small diameter OCTG to support the long-term development of shale oil and gas exploitation in the US, with an annual production capacity of 350,000 metric tons of seamless pipe.
 
As SteelOrbis previously reported, at the mill in question the first billet was successfully pierced on June 29, with the first pipe rolling scheduled for the autumn.