After seeing increases in domestic steel pipe, we seem to have reached a period of flattening. As the demand for domestic tubing increases, expect deliveries for small diameter welded pipe to stretch out. Domestic seamless, 2.0-in. through 6-in., also is experiencing longer lead times due to strong demand and lack of inventories.
We could see upward pressure on the domestic market in 2Q 17, depending on the rulings for various trade cases on import OCTG and line pipe from Korea and other manufacturers. Rulings on these cases have been postponed until March.