TMK IPSCO, North American pipe division of the largest Russian pipe producer TMK, and US oil country tubular goods (OCTG) distributor GB Tubulars have entered into an agreement, for the licensing of TMK IPSCO's Oklahoma-based Catoosa finishing mill to produce and sell welded tubular products utilizing GB Tubulars' coupling for drilling-with-casing operations (US patent 7347459).
According to the agreement, GB Tubulars' drilling-with-casing connections are now available as a mill-finished product from GB Tubulars or from any TMK IPSCO distributor. Moreover, other TMK IPSCO facilities, in addition to the Catoosa mill, will soon be added to the list of facilities that are qualified and approved to finish casing with GB connections.