The Spanish seamless pipe market is witnessing slow buying activity as market players are only gradually coming back from the Christmas holidays. Domestic quotations of seamless pipes have decreased by €20-60/mt over the past two months. Meanwhile, prices offered from Ukraine have increased by a maximum of €20/mt over the same period, while import prices for Chinese seamless pipes have moved up by €5-20/mt. Both foreign and local suppliers of seamless pipes are expected to increase their prices to reflect higher raw materials costs. However, domestic demand is likely to remain sluggish, while exports will maintain their strength thanks to good demand from the oil and gas sector.
Current Spanish domestic prices for 2"-4" hot-formed seamless pipes, grade B made to ASTM A106, are at around €1,050-1,100/mt ex-works, while 6"-8" pipes are at €1,200-1,300/mt ex-works.
Current export prices of Spanish seamless pipes, 2"-4" grade B according to ASTM A53, are varying at around €1,100-1,150/mt FOB, while 6"-8" seamless pipes are at €1,250-1,340/mt FOB.
Prices for Chinese seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L, are at about €825-900/mt CFR Spain, exclusive of antidumping duties (in the range of 17.7-39.2 percent depending on the producer).
Offers of February production Ukrainian seamless pipes with 42-168 mm diameter of 10, 20 steel grade made to GOST 8731/8732 from Interpipe are being given to Spain at €850-900/mt CPT. Prices are shown exclusive of 25.1 percent antidumping duty.
Quotations of Italian seamless pipes, 6"-8" grade B made to ASTM A106, to Spain are at €1,300-1,400/mt CPT.