French premium tubular solutions specialist Vallourec reports that its new-generation Vam 21 threaded connection is now also enjoying commercial success in the Middle East after making early market inroads in the North Sea, Brazil and Southeast Asia.
According to Vallourec, the connection is currently the only one qualified for demanding applications, especially offshore, under the latest generation of technical specs, ISO13679 FDIS-2011 CAL-IV, and offers sealing and mechanical resistance qualities equivalent to that of the tube over a wide range of sizes.
Vam 21 connection orders from the Middle East so far this year represent a total of almost 15,000 tons. Several were received from Qatar and concern offshore applications covering all sizes in the 5-14in diameter product range. Two orders came from Saudi Arabia, to equip deepwater exploration wells in the northern end of the Red Sea, near the Gulf of Suez, and in July Vallourec landed an order to supply a customized version of the connection for very deep onshore gas drilling operations in Kuwait.
Didier Hornet, managing director of Vallourec Oil & Gas, said his company was ‘particularly well placed’ to participate in the exploration and development of the many fields in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf which have huge potential.
