OREANDA-NEWS. The American Petroleum Institute (АРI) extended until February 14, 2009, the term of the certificates and license granted to Vyksa Steel Works (VSW, Nizhni Novgorod Region), part of United Metallurgical Company (OMK), to use the official API monogram on VSW pipes manufactured in compliance with АРI Spec 5L and АРI Spec 5СТ.

According to the press service of OMK, this decision was made based on the results of the certification audit of the VSW Quality Management System performed by an API authorized auditor in September 2006. The following VSW facilities were audited: the Large-Diameter Pipes Division, the Medium-Diameter Pipes Division, the Central Laboratory, and some other divisions.

In 1994, VSW was given its first API certificate and license to use the API official monogram on its pipes. The VSW production of casings and tubings (with both plain ends and threads and couplings) were certified to API Spec 5 CT. The АРI Spec 5L Certificate was granted for pipes designed for long-distance gas- and oil pipelines (with plain ends of PCL1 and PCL2 levels).

The API certificates enable VSW to participate in major biddings for the supply of its pipes to the oil and gas sectors, and expand its presence in external markets.