U.S. Tubular Goods, Pipe Mill Projects Going Strong

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Written by Eric Funderburk for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Capital and maintenance activity at U.S. tubular goods plants is showing strength from both grassroot construction and upgrades and expansions at existing plants.

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Consistent Activity

Strong energy sector support from the White House is helping to keep demand for pipeline materials and oil country tubular goods (OCTG) steady and strong, supporting new construction projects at manufacturing plants. Industrial Info Resources data show more than $2 billion worth of underway and planned capital construction at U.S. pipe and tubular goods mills, in addition to multiple maintenance projects at operating plants.

Capital Upgrades & Additions

Most of the projects currently underway at U.S. pipe and tubular goods plants are earmarked for additions, upgrades and expansions at existing plants. Borusan Berg Pipe, for example, is updating and expanding its pipe mill in Panama City, Florida, with the aim of broadening its range of large-diameter product offerings to between 16 and 60 inches in diameter and wall thicknesses of up to two inches. The oil and gas sector is very much a target market for Borusan Berg's offerings. Subscribers can access details of the project, including construction timelines, key contact details, and equipment and service needs, by clicking here. Borusan Berg is on the tail end of a smaller upgrade project at its mill in Mobile, Alabama.

Alabama also is home to one of the largest projects at a U.S. OCTG mill as U.S. Steel makes major additions to its tubular operations in Fairfield, Alabama, which is part of larger vertically integrated steel complex. U.S. Steel is adding a new quench and temper line, which adds to the strength and toughness of the pipe produced. A new thread line addition also is in the works at the plant as are various furnace repairs at the mill, which also are on the books for multiple other U.S. tubular goods mills, both now and in the future.

While those projects add to Alabama's leading position for near-term pipe mill spending, other projects can be found at other plants in the state, particularly at American Cast Iron Pipe's pipe mill in Birmingham, where the company is electrifying its operations with a multi-phase furnace replacement project that is presently underway as well as plans to add a lining and coating plant and complete a casting machine addition.

Furnace repairs always are a consistent part of any steel plant, and in addition to the Birmingham projects, Industrial Info Resources is tracking planned furnace repairs and overhauls that are on the books at other pipe mills, including plants in Louisiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Planned Grassroot Construction

A handful of grassroot construction is on the books for the U.S. tubular goods sector. Targeting a market outside of oil and gas, US Forged Rings Corporation has plans for a new tubular goods plant in northeast North Carolina targeting wind towers as part of the product mix. The plant's construction is being planned in phases, with the tubular goods component comprising initial construction and additional construction phases targeting other products such industrial pressure vessels.

German company H. Butting GmbH & Co. KG is making initial moves with plans for a grassroot pipe mill in yet another Alabama destination near Mobile Bay, where the company's U.S. headquarters also will be established. A Phase II expansion already is in the works, although this would be some ways off.

Planned Maintenance

In addition to capital projects at U.S. pipe and tubular goods plants, Industrial Info Resources is tracking 115 planned maintenance events at U.S. tubular operations into 2028.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. pipe and tubular goods sectors are maintaining consistent capital project activity, ranging from furnace replacements to new plant construction.
• Alabama is emerging as a prime destination for near-term tubular goods project activity.
• In addition to billions of dollars' worth of capital spending, Industrial Info Resources also is tracking more than 100 planned maintenance events at U.S. tubular goods mills.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).