In a statement, Tenaris said it will start bringing the facility to life next month, switching on equipment and training employees. The tube maker originally had planned to open the facility in 2014, but postponed its opening due to the energy market downturn. The facility is at Tenaris' Conroe welded tubes plant, which was idled during the downturn. Its heat treat and finishing operations were restarted last year. 

But with drilling in the U.S. shale fields having risen, the company said it will start firing up the plant, switching on equipment and training employees. The plant has a state-of-the-art quality testing lab and non-destructive testing capabilities, robotized forging lines, and heat treat, threading and finishing lines.

“With this investment, we are better positioned to serve our customers in the U.S. shales in their artificial lift operations, offering a wide range of locally produced products, and with the support of our new service center in Midland, we also have the flexibility to respond quickly and efficiently,” said Luca Zanotti, president of Tenaris’ U.S. operations.