TPCO America plans to complete construction on its pipe-making operations outside Gregory, Texas, this June, according to Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation coo Mike Culbertson.

The $1 billion facility is already operating a seamless energy tubular finishing mill, Culbertson says. The pipe-making portion, designated phase two, will consist of a 500,000 tonnes/year seamless mill, Kallanish notes.

In October, the company said it expected its pipe-making equipment commissioning would be completed by the end of 2016. In concert with the commissioning, TPCO will begin construction on phase three - an electric arc furnace melt shop.

TPCO America is a subsidiary of Chinese firm Tianjin Pipe. Construction of the Gregory facility began in 2009 as a result of a boom in US shale development.