Pipe consumption in Russia could decrease slightly in 2015 if oil prices remain depressed. Major pipeline projects however will enable TMK to boost shipments and improve the product mix in the large-diameter welded pipe (LDP) segment, the Russian pipe producer says.

This comes after TMK increased consolidated pipe shipments 10.4% on-quarter in the fourth quarter to 1.22 million tonnes. OCTG pipe deliveries registered the strongest growth of 16.4% to 519,000t in Q4, while seamless pipe sales rose 11.5% to 693,000t. Welded pipe shipments were up 8.9% to 525,000t, but premium connections deliveries were flat at 243,000t.

TMK’s Russian division saw seamless line pipe deliveries surge 29.2% in Q4 versus Q3 due to the launch of various pipeline construction and related infrastructure projects. LDP deliveries rose 26.7% to 162,000t, while OCTG sales grew 11.9% due to the start of the winter procurement season at oil and gas companies. Overall pipe shipments in Q4 were up 10.3% to 841,000t.

The producer’s European division was hit by the Ukrainian crisis which saw numerous European exporters – previously oriented towards Russia – switch to sales within their continent. Moreover, Ukrainian pipemakers increased shipments to EU countries. The division nevertheless shipped 19.9% more seamless pipe in Q4 versus Q3 at 39,000t as Q3 was affected by the seasonal summer slowdown.

In full-year 2014 TMK’s consolidated shipments rose 1.5% to 4.38mt. All pipe segments recorded an increase apart from welded pipe whose sales declined -1.5% to 1.84mt due to lower industrial and line pipe demand.

The Russian division registered flat shipments at 2.98mt. The 9.1% growth in seamless line pipe deliveries was offset by a -10.7% decline in seamless industrial pipe sales.

TMK’s European division saw seamless pipe deliveries fall -1.2% to 154,000t, due “to both weaker demand and overcapacity, which led to stronger competition and a negative pricing environment”, TMK says in a report seen by Kallanish. Most European pipe customers expect business to pick up in Q2 2015 after downbeat forecasts for Q1.

For TMK’s American division see related article.