AOPL Cautions Administration On Steel-Related Trade Actions

(March 12, 2018) — The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) is urging caution by the Trump administration as it calls for steel-related trade action that could reduce or significantly delay new pipeline projects and limit U.S. job growth related to those projects. AOPL’s admonition came as the Department of Commerce (DOC) released a report on its investigation of steel imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

“After President Trump has done so much to reinvigorate the economy and provide Americans tax relief we would hate to see American workers lose jobs from steel trade actions that delay or cancel pipeline construction projects,” said Andy Black, AOPL president and CEO. The DOC report recommends a global tariff of at least 24% on all steel imports from all countries, or a tariff of at least 53% on all steel imports from 12 main steel exporting countries, or a quota on all steel products from all countries equal to 63% of each nation’s 2017 exports to the U.S. The report and recommendations cover not only raw steel imports, but also steel products, including seamless or welded pipe and tube products.

Last year, the pipeline industry conducted a study of trade or purchasing restrictions that raised line pipe costs 25%. Such action translated into a $76-million cost increase for a typical 280-mile pipeline project, or a $300-million cost increase for a major pipeline project like the Keystone XL. This result would delay or cancel pipeline projects and end up hurting American workers denied construction and contracting jobs, the association asserts.

AOPL said the pipeline industry shares President Trump’s goal of promoting American workers. Approximately 75% of pipeline project spending goes to American workers and products. Pipeline construction accounts for 45% of project spending. American workers and construction contractors receive more than $1 billion in payroll and revenue on a typical pipeline project.

However, U.S. steel manufacturers do not make enough pipeline-grade steel, the association maintains. Pipeline-grade steel is a niche market, representing 3% of the total steel market. Pipeline-grade steel is also a specialty product, which must meet high quality specifications not required for other steel products. U.S. domestic steel producers largely exited the pipeline business because of its small market size, higher costs, and lower margins, choosing to focus instead on higher volume products such as steel for automobiles and appliances. Therefore, domestic steel and pipe production capacity is insufficient to meet pipeline demand, especially for larger diameter or thicker steel that is used offshore.

While AOPL supports President Trump’s overall objective, a number of hurdles unique to pipeline-grade steel and pipe manufacturing must be overcome to expand domestic pipeline production and manufacturing. If these hurdles are not overcome, government action to increase domestic pipe and pipeline production could have the unintended result of reducing or significantly delaying new pipeline projects and limiting U.S. pipeline job growth.

Fewer new pipeline projects would run counter to the Trump administration’s goal of expanding U.S. energy production and infrastructure to support the economy, job growth, and national security.

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, March 12, 2018)