Prices within the US domestic and import API X-42 EWR line pipe markets may be steady, sources say, although overall market activity has seen a slight bump.
"We've seen a lot more interest in some specialty grade stuff. A year ago there was plenty of it on the ground but now it's a bit harder to come by. We're also seeing some bumps in activity on the API-X42 side of things, but that's just because a lot of the inventory back-up has worked itself through," the source said. "Orders have picked up, but energy pipe is still, by no means, flying off the shelves."
In terms of offshore offers, futures pricing from Korean producers continue to be heard in the approximate range of $26.50-$27.50 cwt. ($584-$606/mt or $530-$550/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports. Sept. 20 data from the US Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance shows that for the month of September, current arrival tonnages of line pipe to the US from Korea have been recorded at 18,461 mt (license data).