OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2009. TMK (LSE: TMKS), one of the world’s largest oil and gas pipe producers, announced today that its TMK FMT premium threaded connection successfully underwent certification testing at Oil States Industries' structural test laboratory in Aberdeen, UK.

Oil States Industries' structural test laboratory offers an extensive range of testing services to third party clients. The TMK FMT premium connection was tested for Salym Petroleum Development BV, a Joint Venture between a subsidiary of Sibir Energy and Shell Salym Development B.V, a member of the Royal Dutch/Shell group of companies.

The certification testing, including tension and compression tests, was performed on 88.9 mm OD TMK FMT Premium tubing with wall thickness of 7.34mm and N80 steel grade.  As announced in late 2008, the FMT connections were produced at TMK’s Sinarsky mill and had previously undergone successful certification with the Russian VNIIGAZ and VNIITneft testing bodies

“Receiving internationally recognised certification for TMK’s FMT premium connections allows us to continue expanding TMK’s global reach. This new recognition will strengthen the Company’s collaboration with Salym Petroleum BV which TMK already has an agreement with for the rendering of oil and gas field services including, product design and manufacturing as well as running and technical assistance” commented TMK-Premium Service director, Sergey Chetverikov.