TMK announces that its TMK-Premium Service division began supplying TMK-PF ET premium threaded casing connections to Surgutneftegas.

The first shipment of TMK-PF ET to Surgutneftegas consisted of 120 tonnes of premium threaded 168 mm casing with 8.94 mm wall thickness. In addition to the PF series, TMK-Premium Service will supply Surgutneftegas with TMK-GF premium connections and provide technical assistance during operations. TMK expects total shipment volumes of premium-class products to Surgutneftegas to surpass 800 tonnes by the end of the 2008.

TMK-PF ET premium threaded casing connections are intended for use in highly-deviated and horizontal wells in complex geological structures. The TMK-PF series offers extra gas tightness and high resistance to tensile and bending stresses.

This latest generation of TMK premium connections was designed and produced by TMK-Premium Service and certified by the Scientific-Research Institute of Natural Gases and Gas Technologies (VNIIGAZ) for use in challenging environments.

In 2007, TMK shipped a total of 187.3 thousand tonnes of pipe products, including premium connections, to Surgutneftegas. The supply of tubular goods falls under a long-term strategic partnership agreement between the two companies. TMK plans to supply a total of 205 thousand tonnes of tubular goods to Surgutneftegas in 2008.

In addition to the TMK-PF series, TMK-Premium Service offers a wide range of patented casing and tubing connections, developed by TMK R&D specialists and designed for onshore and offshore exploration, appraisal, and production drilling in challenging environments.