Seamless drill pipe, casing and tubing for oil or gas market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years of the period, the Romanian market for seamless drill pipes and tubing was shaped by specific regulatory and corporate factors. The 2018 technical legislation mandated the use of hot-rolled or cold-drawn seamless steel pipes for natural gas metering systems, establishing a sustained source of demand from the energy sector. This framework was supported by the strong presence of Tenaris Silcotub Zalău, a major seamless pipe producer with advanced steel treatment technologies, which consolidated the domestic supply base. During these years, import volumes declined steadily, indicating a market increasingly served by local manufacturing capabilities.

Between 2021 and 2022, the market entered a phase of robust growth. Consumption in volume terms increased from 21 481 t to 23 165 t, while the market's value nearly doubled from 41.8 million USD to 78.7 million USD. Domestic production also rose, climbing from 55 987 t to 59 431 t. This expansion occurred without specific disruptive events reported for these years, reflecting a continuation of underlying demand momentum.

A significant market shift occurred in 2023 with the acquisition of the TMK‑Artrom plant in Slatina by Hefestos Capital and its rebranding as Artrom Steel Tubes. This entry of a new major player revitalized domestic production capacity for high-strength steel tubes used in oil and gas, coinciding with a substantial market expansion. Consumption surged to 32 452 t (112.4 million USD), and production jumped to 78 976 t. In 2024, market volume grew further to 33 124 t (125.1 million USD), even as production normalized to 69 195 t, suggesting stabilized high-level demand supported by a diversified industrial base.

Production seamless drill pipe, casing and tubing for oil or gas in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports seamless drill pipe, casing and tubing for oil or gas from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point, dropping by 22.1%. The following year, in 2020, exports totaled 39 029 tons, marking a significant contraction of 10.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 28%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 55 832 tons, which represented an increase of 2.9% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's export portfolio for seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas was quite diverse. The United States accounted for 19.0% of exports in kind, Kuwait for 10.6%, and Hungary for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.7% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution among other partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's export value of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas fell for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports saw the largest decline, dropping by 16.9%. In 2020, exports totaled 74 801 thousand US dollars, showing a measured decrease of 5.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 95 210 thousand US dollars, which was an increase of 13.7% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Kuwait, and Egypt played notable roles as buyers of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas from Romania in value terms. The United States accounted for 14.7% of exports, Kuwait for 10.3%, and Egypt for 8.9%. However, their combined share reached only 33.8% of total export value, indicating that other markets also contributed significantly to the export structure.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports seamless drill pipe, casing and tubing for oil or gas to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports decreased, and in 2020, Romania imported a total that was 29.1% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 38.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.8%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 22 035 tons, which represented an increase of 10.2% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Italy, and Mexico were the main sources for Romania's imports of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas in kind. Argentina accounted for 39.6% of imports, Italy for 22.9%, and Mexico for 19.6%. Together, these three countries made up 82.2% of total import flows, highlighting their dominance in the import structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's import value of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports declined, and in 2020, Romania imported approximately 20 996 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic loss of 37.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.4%, with an annualized rate of 14.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 39 894 thousand US dollars, which was an increase of 18.9% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Italy, and Mexico were the primary markets for Romania's imports of seamless drill pipe, casing, and tubing for oil or gas in value terms. Argentina accounted for 34.2% of imports, Italy for 23.0%, and Mexico for 20.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 77.2% of total import flows, underscoring their key role in the import market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020