[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66701-66703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28566]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-357-810; A-475-816; A-588-835; A-580-825]


Final Results of Expedited Sunset Reviews: Oil Country Tubular 
Goods From Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Korea

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Final Results of Expedited Sunset Reviews: Oil 
Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Korea.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On July 3, 2000, the Department of Commerce (``the 
Department'') initiated sunset reviews of the antidumping duty orders 
on oil country tubular goods from Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Korea 
(65 FR 41053) pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (``the Act''). On the basis of notices of intent to participate 
and adequate substantive responses filed on behalf of U.S. Steel Group, 
a unit of USX Corporation, IPSCO Tubulars, Inc., Lone Star Steel 
Company, Maverick Tube Corporation, Newport Steel and Koppel Steel 
Divisions of NS Group, Grant-Prideco, and North Star Steel Ohio 
(collectively, ``domestic interested parties''), and inadequate 
responses (in the Italy, Japan, and Korea cases, no responses) from 
respondent interested parties, the Department determined to conduct 
expedited reviews. As a result of these reviews, the Department finds 
that revocation of the antidumping duty orders would be likely to lead 
to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the levels indicated in the 
Final Results of Reviews section of this notice.

For Further Information Contact: John P. Maloney, Jr. or James P. 
Maeder, Jr., Office of Policy for Import Administration, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
1503 or (202) 482-3330, respectively.

Effective Date:  November 7, 2000.

Statute and Regulations

    These reviews were conducted pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752 of 
the Act. The Department's procedures for the conduct of sunset reviews 
are set forth in Procedures for Conducting Five-year (``Sunset'') 
Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 63 FR 13516 
(March 20, 1998) (``Sunset Regulations''), and in 19 CFR Part 351 
(1999) in general. Guidance on methodological or analytical issues 
relevant to the Department's conduct of sunset reviews is set forth in 
the Department's Policy Bulletin 98:3--Policies Regarding the Conduct 
of Five-year (``Sunset'') Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Orders; Policy Bulletin, 63 FR 18871 (April 16, 1998) (``Sunset 
Policy Bulletin'').

Background

    On July 3, 2000, the Department initiated sunset reviews of the 
antidumping duty orders on oil country tubular goods (``OCTG'') from 
Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Korea (65 FR 41053), pursuant to section 
751(c) of the Act. The Department received a notice of intent to 
participate on behalf of U.S. Steel group, a unit of USX Corporation, 
IPSCO Tubulars, Inc., Lone Star Steel Company, Maverick Tube 
Corporation, Newport Steel and Koppel Steel Divisions of NS Group, 
Grant-Prideco, and North Star Steel Ohio (collectively, ``domestic 
interested parties''), within the applicable deadline (July 18, 2000) 
specified in section 351.218(d)(1)(i) of the Sunset Regulations. 
Domestic interested parties claimed interested-party status under 
section 771(9)(C) of the Act, as manufacturers, producers, or 
wholesalers in the United States of a domestic like product.
    On August 2, 2000, we received substantive responses on behalf of 
domestic interested parties and, in the Argentina case, on behalf of 
Siderca SAIC (``Siderca''). Siderca is an interested party pursuant to 
section 771(9)(A) of the Act as a foreign producer and exporter of the 
subject merchandise.
    On August 7, 2000, we received rebuttal comments on behalf of 
domestic interested parties in response to Siderca's comments.

Scope of Review of Oil Country Tubular Goods From Argentina

    Oil country tubular goods are hollow steel products of circular 
cross-section, including oil well casing, tubing, and drill pipe, of 
iron (other than cast iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether 
seamless or welded, whether or not conforming to American Petroleum 
Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished or 
unfinished (including green tubes and limited-service OCTG products). 
This scope does not cover casing, tubing, or drill pipe containing 10.5 
percent or more of chromium. The OCTG subject to this review are 
currently classified in the following Harmonized Tariff

[[Page 66702]]

Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 7304.20.20, 
7304.20.40, 7304.20.50, 7304.20.60, 7304.20.80, 7304.39.00, 7304.51.50, 
7304.20.70, 7304.59.60, 7304.59.80, 7304.90.70, 7305.20.40, 7305.20.60, 
7305.20.80, 7305.31.40, 7305.31.60, 7305.39.10, 7305.39.50, 7305.90.10, 
7305.90.50, 7306.20.20, 7306.20.30, 7306.20.40, 7306.20.60, 7306.20.80, 
7306.30.50, 7306.50.50, 7306.60.70, 7306.90.10. The HTSUS subheadings 
are provided for convenience and Customs purposes. The written 
description remains dispositive.

Scope of Review of Oil Country Tubular Goods From Italy

    Oil country tubular goods are hollow steel products of circular 
cross-section, including only oil well casing and tubing, of iron 
(other than cast iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether 
seamless or welded, whether or not conforming to American Petroleum 
Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished or 
unfinished (including green tubes and limited service OCTG products). 
This scope does not cover casing or tubing pipe containing 10.5 percent 
or more of chromium, or drill pipe. The products subject to this review 
are currently classified in the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 7304.20.10.10, 7304.20.10.20, 
7304.20.10.30, 7304.20.10.40, 7304.20.10.50, 7304.20.10.60, 
7304.20.10.80, 7304.20.20.10, 7304.20.20.20, 7304.20.20.30, 
7304.20.20.40, 7304.20.20.50, 7304.20.20.60, 7304.20.20.80, 
7304.20.30.10, 7304.20.30.20, 7304.20.30.30, 7304.20.30.40, 
7304.20.30.50, 7304.20.30.60, 7304.20.30.80, 7304.20.40.10, 
7304.20.40.20, 7304.20.40.30, 7304.20.40.40, 7304.20.40.50, 
7304.20.40.60, 7304.20.40.80, 7304.20.50.15, 7304.20.50.30, 
7304.20.50.45, 7304.20.50.60, 7304.20.50.75, 7304.20.60.15, 
7304.20.60.30, 7304.20.60.45, 7304.20.60.60, 7304.20.60.75, 
7305.20.20.00, 7305.20.40.00, 7305.20.60.00, 7305.20.80.00, 
7306.20.10.30, 7306.20.10.90, 7306.20.20.00, 7306.20.30.00, 
7306.20.40.00, 7306.20.60.10, 7306.20.60.50, 7306.20.80.10, and 
7306.20.80.50. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and 
Customs purposes. The written description remains dispositive.

Scope of Review of Oil Country Tubular Goods From Japan

    Oil country tubular goods are hollow steel products of circular 
cross-section, including oil well casing, tubing, and drill pipe, of 
iron (other than cast iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether 
seamless or welded, whether or not conforming to American Petroleum 
Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished or 
unfinished (including green tubes and limited-service OCTG products). 
This scope does not cover casing, tubing, or drill pipe containing 10.5 
percent or more of chromium. The OCTG subject to this review are 
currently classified in the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 7304.21.30.00, 7304.21.60.30, 
7304.21.60.45, 7304.21.60.60, 7304.29.10.10, 7304.29.10.20, 
7304.29.10.30, 7304.29.10.40, 7304.29.10.50, 7304.29.10.60, 
7304.29.10.80, 7304.29.20.10, 7304.29.20.20, 7304.29.20.30, 
7304.29.20.40, 7304.29.20.50, 7304.29.20.60, 7304.29.20.80, 
7304.29.30.10, 7304.29.30.20, 7304.29.30.30, 7304.29.30.40, 
7304.29.30.50, 7304.29.30.60, 7304.29.30.80, 7304.29.40.10, 
7304.29.40.20, 7304.29.40.30, 7304.29.40.40, 7304.29.40.50, 
7304.29.40.60, 7304.29.40.80, 7304.29.50.15, 7304.29.50.30, 
7304.29.50.45, 7304.29.50.60, 7304.29.50.75, 7304.29.60.15, 
7304.29.60.30, 7304.29.60.45, 7304.29.60.60, 7304.29.60.75, 
7305.20.20.00, 7305.20.40.00, 7305.20.60.00, 7305.20.80.00, 
7306.20.10.30, 7306.20.10.90, 7306.20.20.00, 7306.20.30.00, 
7306.20.40.00, 7306.20.60.10, 7306.20.60.50, 7306.20.80.10, and 
7306.20.80.50. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and 
Customs purposes. The written description remains dispositive.

Scope of Review of Oil Country Tubular Goods From Korea

    Oil country tubular goods are hollow steel products of circular 
cross-section, including only oil well casing and tubing, of iron 
(other than cast iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether 
seamless or welded, whether or not conforming to American Petroleum 
Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished or 
unfinished (including green tubes and limited service OCTG products). 
This scope does not cover casing or tubing pipe containing 10.5 percent 
or more of chromium, or drill pipe. The products subject to this review 
are currently classified in the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 7304.29.10.10, 7304.29.10.20, 
7304.29.10.30, 7304.29.10.40, 7304.29.10.50, 7304.29.10.60, 
7304.29.10.80, 7304.29.20.10, 7304.29.20.20, 7304.29.20.30, 
7304.29.20.40, 7304.29.20.50, 7304.29.20.60, 7304.29.20.80, 
7304.29.30.10, 7304.29.30.20, 7304.29.30.30, 7304.29.30.40, 
7304.29.30.50, 7304.29.30.60, 7304.29.30.80, 7304.29.40.10, 
7304.29.40.20, 7304.29.40.30, 7304.29.40.40, 7304.29.40.50, 
7304.29.40.60, 7304.29.40.80, 7304.29.50.15, 7304.29.50.30, 
7304.29.50.45, 7304.29.50.60, 7304.29.50.75, 7304.29.60.15, 
7304.29.60.30, 7304.29.60.45, 7304.29.60.60, 7304.29.60.75, 
7305.20.20.00, 7305.20.40.00, 7305.20.60.00, 7305.20.80.00, 
7306.20.10.30, 7306.20.10.90, 7306.20.20.00, 7306.20.30.00, 
7306.20.40.00, 7306.20.60.10, 7306.20.60.50, 7306.20.80.10, and 
7306.20.80.50. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and 
Customs purposes. The written description remains dispositive.

History of the Orders

    In the original investigations, covering the period January 1, 
1994, through June 30, 1994, the Department determined the following 
dumping margins: 1.36 percent for Siderca, the Argentine respondent, 
and 1.36 percent for ``all others'' (60 FR 33539); 49.78 percent for 
Dalmine S.p.A. (``Dalmine''), Acciaierie Tubificio Arvedi S.p.A., and 
General Sider Europa S.p.A., the Italian respondents, and 49.78 percent 
for ``all others'' (60 FR 33558); 44.20 percent for Nippon Steel 
Corporation and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (``Sumitomo''), the 
Japanese respondents, and 44.20 percent for ``all others'' (60 FR 
33560); and 12.17 percent for Union Steel Manufacturing Company, one of 
the Korean respondents,\1\ and 12.17 percent for ``all others'' (60 FR 
33561).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Hyundai Steel Pipe Company, Ltd., the other respondent, was 
excluded from the antidumping duty order. See Antidumping Duty 
Order: Oil Country Tubular goods from Korea. 61 FR 41057, 41058 
(August 11, 1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department has not conducted an administrative review of the 
orders on OCTG from Argentina or Italy since the issuance of these 
orders. However, there have been two administrative reviews of the 
order on OCTG from Japan. In the first, covering the period February 2, 
1995, though July 31, 1996, NKK

[[Page 66703]]

Corporation of Japan was assigned a margin of 44.20 percent. In the 
second, covering the period August 1, 1997, through July 31, 1998, 
Sumitomo was assigned a margin of 0.00 percent. In addition, there have 
been two administrative reviews of the order on OCTG from Korea. In the 
first, covering the period August 1, 1996, through July 31, 1997, SeAH 
Steel Corporation (``SeAH'') was assigned a margin of 2.93 percent. In 
the second, covering the period August 1, 1997, through July 31, 1998, 
SeAH was assigned a margin of 15.02 percent.

Analysis of Comments Received

    All issues raised by parties to these sunset reviews are addressed 
in the ``Issues and Decision Memorandum'' (``Decision Memo'') from 
Jeffrey A. May, Director, Office of Policy, Import Administration, to 
Troy H. Cribb, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, dated 
October 31, 2000, which is hereby adopted by this notice. The issues 
discussed in the Decision Memo include the likelihood of continuation 
or recurrence of dumping and the magnitude of the margins likely to 
prevail were the orders revoked. Parties can find a complete discussion 
of all issues raised in these reviews and the corresponding 
recommendations in this public memorandum which is on file in the 
Central Records Unit, room B-099, of the main Commerce building.
    In addition, a complete version of the Decision Memo can be 
accessed directly on the Web at http:/ia.ita.doc.gov/frn, under the 
heading ``October 2000.'' The paper copy and electronic version of the 
Decision Memo are identical in content.

Final Results of Reviews

    We determine that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on oil 
country tubular goods from Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Korea would 
likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the following 
percentage weighted-average margins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Margin
            Country               Manufacturer/exporter      (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina......................  Siderca SAIC...........            1.36
                                 All Others.............            1.36
Italy..........................  Dalmine S.p.A..........           49.78
                                 Acciaierie Tubificio              49.78
                                  Arvedi S.p.A..
                                 General Sider Europa              49.78
                                  S.p.A..
                                 All Others.............           49.78
Japan..........................  Nippon Steel                      44.20
                                  Corporation.
                                 Sumitomo Metal                    44.20
                                  Industries, Ltd..
                                 All Others.............           44.20
Korea..........................  Union Steel                       12.17
                                  Manufacturing Co..
                                 All Others \2\.........           12.17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This notice serves as the only reminder to parties subject to 
administrative protective order (``APO'') of their responsibility 
concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305 of the Department's regulations. 
Timely notification of return/destruction of APO materials or 
conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to 
comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable 
violation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Hyundai Steel Pipe Company, Ltd., a respondent in the 
investigation, was excluded from the antidumping duty order. See 
Antidumping Duty Order: Oil Country Tubular Goods from Korea, 61 FR 
41057, 41058 (August 11, 1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These five-year (``sunset'') reviews and notice are in accordance 
with sections 751(c), 752, and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: October 31, 2000.
Troy H. Cribb,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-28566 Filed 11-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS -P