Antidumping: Small diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from— Romania,

[Federal Register: March 23, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 55)]

[Notices]

[Page 14648-14650]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23mr05-65]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-485-805]

Notice of Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain Small Diameter Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from Romania

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: On February 11, 2005, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published the final results of its antidumping duty administrative review of certain small diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe (seamless pipe) from Romania for the period August 1, 2002, through July 31, 2003. See Certain Small Diameter Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from Romania: Final Results of Administrative Review and Final Determination Not to Revoke Order in Part, 70 FR 7237, (February 11, 2005) (Final Results). We are amending our final results to correct a ministerial error alleged by United States Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel) (domestic interested party) pursuant to section 751(h) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 23, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Layton or Erin Begnal, AD/CVD Operations, Office 8, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482- 0371 and (202) 482-1442, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Scope of Order

The products covered by the order are seamless carbon and alloy (other than stainless) steel standard, line, and pressure pipes and redraw hollows produced, or equivalent, to the ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-335, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, and the API 5L specifications and meeting the physical parameters described below, regardless of application. The scope of the order also includes all products used in standard, line, or pressure pipe applications and meeting the physical parameters described below, regardless of specification. Specifically included within the scope of the order are seamless pipes and redraw hollows, less than or equal to 4.5 inches (114.3 mm) in outside diameter, regardless of wall-thickness, manufacturing process (hot finished or cold-drawn), end finish (plain end, beveled end, upset end, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or surface finish.

The seamless pipes subject to the order are currently classifiable under the subheadings 7304.10.10.20, 7304.10.50.20, 7304.31.30.00, 7304.31.60.50, 7304.39.00.16, 7304.39.00.20, 7304.39.00.24, 7304.39.00.28, 7304.39.00.32, 7304.51.50.05, 7304.51.50.60, 7304.59.60.00, 7304.59.80.10, 7304.59.80.15, 7304.59.80.20, and 7304.59.80.25 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

Specifications, Characteristics, and Uses: Seamless pressure pipes are intended for the conveyance of water, steam, petrochemicals, chemicals, oil products, natural gas and other liquids and gases in industrial piping systems. They may carry these substances at elevated pressures and temperatures and may be subject to the application of external heat. Seamless carbon steel pressure pipe meeting the ASTM A- 106 standard may be used in temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, at various ASME code stress levels. Alloy pipes made to ASTM A-335 standard must be used if temperatures and stress

[[Page 14649]]

levels exceed those allowed for ASTM A-106. Seamless pressure pipes sold in the United States are commonly produced to the ASTM A-106 standard.

Seamless standard pipes are most commonly produced to the ASTM A-53 specification and generally are not intended for high temperature service. They are intended for the low temperature and pressure conveyance of water, steam, natural gas, air and other liquids and gases in plumbing and heating systems, air conditioning units, automatic sprinkler systems, and other related uses. Standard pipes (depending on type and code) may carry liquids at elevated temperatures but must not exceed relevant ASME code requirements. If exceptionally low temperature uses or conditions are anticipated, standard pipe may be manufactured to ASTM A-333 or ASTM A-334 specifications.

Seamless line pipes are intended for the conveyance of oil and natural gas or other fluids in pipe lines. Seamless line pipes are produced to the API 5L specification.

Seamless water well pipe (ASTM A-589) and seamless galvanized pipe for fire protection uses (ASTM A-795) are used for the conveyance of water.

Seamless pipes are commonly produced and certified to meet ASTM A- 106, ASTM A-53, API 5L-B, and API 5L-X42 specifications. To avoid maintaining separate production runs and separate inventories, manufacturers typically triple or quadruple certify the pipes by meeting the metallurgical requirements and performing the required tests pursuant to the respective specifications. Since distributors sell the vast majority of this product, they can thereby maintain a single inventory to service all customers.

The primary application of ASTM A-106 pressure pipes and triple or quadruple certified pipes is use in pressure piping systems by refineries, petrochemical plants, and chemical plants. Other applications are in power generation plants (electrical-fossil fuel or nuclear), and in some oil field uses (on shore and off shore) such as for separator lines, gathering lines and metering runs. A minor application of this product is for use as oil and gas distribution lines for commercial applications. These applications constitute the majority of the market for the subject seamless pipes. However, ASTM A- 106 pipes may be used in some boiler applications.

Redraw hollows are any unfinished pipe or ``hollow profiles'' of carbon or alloy steel transformed by hot rolling or cold drawing/ hydrostatic testing or other methods to enable the material to be sold under ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-335, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, and API 5L specifications.

The scope of the order includes all seamless pipe meeting the physical parameters described above and produced to one of the specifications listed above, regardless of application, with the exception of the specific exclusions discussed below, and whether or not also certified to a non-covered specification. Standard, line, and pressure applications and the above-listed specifications are defining characteristics of the scope of the order. Therefore, seamless pipes meeting the physical description above, but not produced to the ASTM A- 53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-335, ASTM A-589, ASTM A- 795, and API 5L specifications shall be covered if used in a standard, line, or pressure application, with the exception of the specific exclusions discussed below.For example, there are certain other ASTM specifications of pipe which, because of overlapping characteristics, could potentially be used in ASTM A-106 applications. These specifications generally include ASTM A-161, ASTM A-192, ASTM A-210, ASTM A-252, ASTM A-501, ASTM A-523, ASTM A-524, and ASTM A-618. When such pipes are used in a standard, line, or pressure pipe application, with the exception of the specific exclusions discussed below, such products are covered by the scope of the order.

Specifically excluded from the scope of the order are boiler tubing and mechanical tubing, if such products are not produced to ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-335, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, and API 5L specifications and are not used in standard, line, or pressure pipe applications. In addition, finished and unfinished OCTG are excluded from the scope of the order, if covered by the scope of another antidumping duty order from the same country. If not covered by such an OCTG order, finished and unfinished OCTG are included in this scope when used in standard, line or pressure applications.

With regard to the excluded products listed above, the Department will not instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to require end-use certification until such time as petitioner or other interested parties provide to the Department a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the products are being used in a covered application. If such information is provided, we will require end-use certification only for the product(s) (or specification(s)) for which evidence is provided that such products are being used in covered applications as described above. For example, if, based on evidence provided by petitioner, the Department finds a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that seamless pipe produced to the A-161 specification is being used in a standard, line or pressure application, we will require end- use certifications for imports of that specification. Normally we will require only the importer of record to certify to the end use of the imported merchandise. If it later proves necessary for adequate implementation, we may also require producers who export such products to the United States to provide such certification on invoices accompanying shipments to the United States.

Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, our written description of the merchandise subject to this scope is dispositive.

Amended Final Results

In accordance with section 751(a) the Act, on February 11, 2005, the Department published its final results of the antidumping duty administrative review of certain small diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe from Romania. See Final Results.

On February 14, 2005, the domestic interested party, U.S. Steel, alleged that a ministerial error had been made regarding the Department's final margin calculation for S.C. Silcotub S.A. (Silcotub). See Ministerial Error Letter from U.S. Steel Re: Third Administrative Review of Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe (Under 4\1/2\ Inches) from Romania for period of August 1, 2002 to July 31, 2003 (February 14, 2005). In accordance with section 751(h) of the Act, we have determined that a ministerial error was made in the calculation of the final margin for Silcotub. See Memorandum from Charles Riggle, Program Manager, AD/CVD Operations, Office 8, to Wendy J. Frankel, Director, AD/CVD Operations, Office 8: Certain Small Diameter Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from Romania Re: Ministerial Error Allegation for S.C. Silcotub S.A. (March 9, 2005). Pursuant to section 751(h) of the Act, we have corrected the error and are amending the final results of review accordingly. The corrected margin for Silcotub is 1.35 percent. See Memorandum from David Layton and Erin Begnal, Case Analysts through Charles Riggle, Program Manager, to the File, Analysis

[[Page 14650]]

Memorandum for Amended Final Results for S.C. Silcotub S.A. (March 9, 2005).

The Department shall determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries based on the amended final results. For details on the assessment of antidumping duties on all appropriate entries, see Final Results.

Dated: March 16, 2005. Joseph A. Spetrini, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.

[FR Doc. E5-1283 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]