Antidumping: Large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from Mexico,
[Federal Register: April 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 63)]
[Notices]
[Page 16556-16558]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ap06-40]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-201-827]
Certain Large Diameter Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line and Pressure Pipe from Mexico: Notice of Intent to Rescind Administrative Review
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On September 28, 2005, we published the notice of initiation of this antidumping duty administrative review with respect to Tubos de Acero de Mexico, S.A. (``TAMSA''). See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part, 70 FR 56631 (September 28, 2005). We have preliminarily determined that the review of TAMSA should be rescinded.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 3, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Cho or George McMahon, AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 480- 5075 or (202) 482-1167, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On August 1, 2005, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') published in the Federal Register the notice of the ``Opportunity to Request Administrative Review'' of the antidumping duty order on certain large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe (``SLP'') from Mexico, for the period August 1, 2004, through July 31, 2005 (70 FR 44085). On October 19, 2005, we received a request from the petitioner\1\
[[Page 16557]]
to review TAMSA. On September 28, 2005, we published the notice of initiation of this antidumping duty administrative review with respect to TAMSA. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part, 70 FR 56631 (September 28, 2005). On October 27, 2005, TAMSA submitted a letter certifying that neither TAMSA nor its U.S. affiliate, Tenaris Global Services USA (``Tenaris''), directly or indirectly, exported or sold for consumption in the United States any subject merchandise during the period of review (``POR'').
\1\ The petitioner is United States Steel Corporation.
Scope of the Order
The products covered are large diameter seamless carbon and alloy (other than stainless) steel standard, line, and pressure pipes produced, or equivalent, to the American Society for Testing and Materials (``ASTM'') A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A- 589, ASTM A-795, and the American Petroleum Institute (``API'') 5L specifications and meeting the physical parameters described below, regardless of application, with the exception of the exclusions discussed below. The scope of this order also includes all other products used in standard, line, or pressure pipe applications and meeting the physical parameters described below, regardless of specification, with the exception of the exclusions discussed below. Specifically included within the scope of this order are seamless pipes greater than 4.5 inches (114.3 mm) up to and including 16 inches (406.4 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 this order are currently classifiable under subheadings 7304.10.10.30, 7304.10.10.45, 7304.10.10.60, 7304.10.50.50, 7304.31.60.50, 7304.39.00.36 7304.39.00.40, 7304.39.00.44, 7304.39.00.48, 7304.39.00.52, 7304.39.00.56, 7304.39.00.62, 7304.39.00.68, 7304.39.00.72, 7304.51.50.60, 7304.59.60.00, 7304.59.80.30, 7304.59.80.35, 7304.59.80.40, 7304.59.80.45, 7304.59.80.50, 7304.59.80.55, 7304.59.80.60, 7304.59.80.65, and 7304.59.80.70 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'').
Specifications, Characteristics, and Uses: Large diameter seamless pipe is used primarily for line applications such as oil, gas, or water pipeline, or utility distribution systems. Seamless pressure pipes are intended for the conveyance of water, steam, petrochemicals, chemicals, oil products, natural gas and other liquids and gasses 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 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (``ASME'') code stress levels. Alloy pipes made to ASTM A-335 standard must be used if temperatures and stress 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 gasses 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 in large diameters is for use as oil and gas distribution lines for commercial applications. A more minor application for large diameter seamless pipes is for use in pressure piping systems by refineries, petrochemical plants, and chemical plants, as well as in power generation plants and in some oil field uses (on shore and off shore) such as for separator lines, gathering lines and metering runs. 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.
The scope of this 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 exclusions discussed below, 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 this investigation. 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-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, such products are covered by the scope of this review. Specifically excluded from the scope of this 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-589, ASTM A-795, and API 5L specifications and are not used in standard, line, or pressure pipe applications.
-
Finished and unfinished oil country tubular goods (``OCTG''), 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.
-
Products produced to the A-335 specification unless they are used in an application that would
[[Page 16558]]
normally utilize ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A- 589, ASTM A-795, and API 5L specifications.
-
Line and riser pipe for deepwater application, i.e., line and riser pipe that is (1) used in a deepwater application, which means for use in water depths of 1,500 feet or more; (2) intended for use in and is actually used for a specific deepwater project; (3) rated for a specified minimum yield strength of not less than 60,000 psi; and (4) not identified or certified through the use of a monogram, stencil, or otherwise marked with an API specification (e.g., ``API 5L'').
With regard to the excluded products listed above, the Department will not instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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 utilized in a covered application. If such information is provided, the Department 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 a covered application 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-335 specification is being used in an A-106 application, it will require end-use certifications for imports of that specification. Normally, the Department 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, the Department 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, the written description of the merchandise subject to this scope is dispositive.
Intent to Rescind Fifth Administrative Review
TAMSA submitted a letter on October 27, 2005, certifying that neither TAMSA nor its U.S. affiliate, Tenaris, directly or indirectly, exported or sold for consumption in the United States any subject merchandise during the POR. The petitioner did not comment on TAMSA's no-shipment claim.
We conducted an internal customs data query on November 8, 2005. See November 9, 2005, Memorandum to The File through James Terpstra, Program Manager, entitled ``Internal Customs Data Query,'' A-201-827. The data query indicated TAMSA and its U.S. affiliate, Tenaris, had customs entries/shipments during the POR, some of which entered under the HTSUS number for subject merchandise. However, we confirmed that AD/CVD duties were not assessed on the shipments because the entries/ shipments were excluded from the order (e.g., SLP used for deepwater application), and we were able to confirm that TAMSA had no entries, exports, or sales to the United States of subject merchandise during the POR.
Based on our analysis of the shipment data, TAMSA is a non-shipper for this review. Therefore, in accordance with section 351.213(d)(3) of the Department's regulations, and consistent with our practice, we preliminarily determine to rescind this review. See e.g., Stainless Steel Bar from India; Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and New Shipper Review, and Partial Rescission of Administrative Review, 65 FR 12209 (March 8, 2000); Persulfates From the People's Republic of China; Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Partial Rescission of Administrative Review, 65 FR 18963 (April 10, 2000).
Public Comment
An interested party may request a hearing within 30 days of publication of this preliminary notice. See 19 CFR 351.310(c). Any hearing, if requested, will be held 44 days after the date of publication, or the first working day thereafter. Interested parties may submit case briefs no later than 30 days after the date of publication of this preliminary notice. See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(ii). Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in such briefs, may be filed no later than five days after the time limit for filing the case brief 19 CFR 351.309(d). Parties who submit arguments are requested to submit with the argument (1) A statement of the issue, (2) a brief summary of the argument, and (3) a table of authorities. Further, parties submitting written comments should provide the Department with an additional copy of the public version of any such comments on diskette. The Department will issue the final notice, which will include the results of its analysis of issues raised in any such comments, or at a hearing, if requested, within 120 days of publication of this preliminary notice.
This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(d).
Dated: March 24, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretaryfor Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-4741 Filed 3-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S
