Activity in the Saudi Arabian seamless pipe market has remained slow over the past month as buyers are holding back from new purchases in order to finish the year with minimal stocks. Most foreign suppliers of seamless pipes have continued to cut their offers for Saudi buyers. Over the past month, Ukrainian suppliers have reduced their offers for Saudi buyers by $10-20/mt, while import quotations of Chinese seamless pipes have decreased by $20-30/mt. Over the same period, offers of Japanese material have moved down by $30-35/mt, while offers of South African seamless pipes to Saudi Arabia have declined by a maximum of $10/mt. Buying activity in the Saudi seamless pipe market is expected to remain on the slow side until the end of the year. Market players do not expect to see any substantial reductions in seamless pipe prices from foreign suppliers in the coming period. However, pressure from low-priced Chinese imports continues to negatively influence the Saudi seamless pipe market.
Most offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM are being given to the Saudi Arabian market at $630-670/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian seamless pipes (Interpipe) of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to Saudi Arabia are at $1,000-1,030/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are offered at around $1,020-1,050/mt CFR.
South African seamless pipes (ArcelorMittal), 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106, are quoted at around $1,030-1,050/mt CFR Saudi Arabia.
Quotations from Japan (NSSMC) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are at about $1,330-1,365/mt CFR Saudi Arabia.