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 Department of Commerce International Trade Administration [A-357-824]
 AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
 SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from Argentina are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
 DATES: Applicable May 11, 2022.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dmitry Vladimirov, AD/CVD Operations, Office I, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0665.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Background This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this LTFV investigation on November 1, 2021.[1]
                    
                     On February 17, 2022, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation until May 4, 2022.[2] For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.[3]
                    
                     A list of sections in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at 
                    *https://access.trade.gov.*
                     In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at 
                    *https://access.trade.gov/​public/​FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.* Scope of the Investigation The products covered by this investigation are OCTG from Argentina. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, 
                    *see*
                     Appendix I. Scope Comments In accordance with the preamble to Commerce's regulations,[4]
                    
                     in the 
                    *Initiation Notice*
                     Commerce set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (
                    *i.e.,*
                     scope).[5]
                    
                     Certain interested parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice.*
                     For a summary of the product coverage comments and rebuttal responses submitted to the record for this investigation and accompanying discussion and analysis of all comments timely received, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary 
                    ( print page 28802)
                    Scope Decision Memorandum.[6]
                    
                     As discussed in the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, Commerce preliminarily modified the scope language that appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice.* In the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum Commerce established the deadline for parties to submit scope case briefs.[7]
                    
                     Commerce did not receive any comments from interested parties regarding the scope as stated in the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum prior to the deadline. As explained in the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, there will be no further opportunity for comments on scope-related issues.[8] Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Commerce calculated constructed export prices in accordance with section 772(b) of the Act. Normal value (NV) is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying the preliminary determination, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. All-Others Rate Sections 733(d)(1)(A)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in the preliminary determination Commerce shall determine an estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually examined. The rate shall be equal to the weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and 
                    *de minimis*
                     margins, and any margins determined entirely under section 776 of the Act. In this investigation, Commerce calculated an estimated weighted-average dumping margin above 
                    *de minimis*
                     for the sole mandatory respondent, Siderca S.A.I.C. (Siderca). Because Siderca is the sole mandatory respondent for which Commerce calculated a weighted-average dumping margin, Commerce assigned Siderca's preliminary margin to all other producers and exporters of the merchandise under consideration. Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances In accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, Commerce preliminarily finds that critical circumstances exist for all companies in Argentina. For a full description of the methodology and results of Commerce's critical circumstances analysis, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. Preliminary Determination Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins exist in this investigation: Exporter or producer
Estimated 
                             weighted- 
                             average  
                             dumping  
                             margin  
                             (percent)Siderca S.A.I.C
76.43All Others
76.43
 Suspension of Liquidation In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, we will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of all entries of OCTG from Argentina, as described in Appendix I, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    . Further, pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows: (1) The cash deposit rate for the respondent listed in the table above is the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margin calculated in this preliminary determination; (2) if the exporter is not the respondent identified in the table above, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate is the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for that producer of the subject merchandise in the table above; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers and exporters is the “All-Others” estimated weighted-average dumping margin listed in the table above. Further, section 733(e)(2) of the Act provides that, in the event of an affirmative determination of critical circumstances, any suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of: (a) The date which is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of liquidation was first ordered; or (b) the date on which notice of initiation of the investigation was published. As noted above, Commerce preliminarily finds that critical circumstances exist for imports of OCTG from Argentina produced and exported by all companies. In accordance with 733(e)(2)(A), suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of subject merchandise for shipments that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date which is 90 days before the publication of this notice, the date suspension of liquidation is first ordered. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice. Disclosure Commerce intends to disclose its preliminary calculations and related analysis to interested parties within five days of any public announcement of the preliminary determination or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    , in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). Verification As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination.[9] Public Comment Case briefs or other written comments on non-scope issues may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.[10]
                    
                     Interested parties will be notified of the timeline for the submission of such case briefs and written comments at a later date. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues 
                    ( print page 28803)
                    raised in case briefs, may be submitted no later than seven days after the deadline date for case briefs.[11]
                    
                     Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this investigation are encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities. Commerce has modified certain of its requirements for serving documents containing business proprietary information until further notice.[12] Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    . Requests for a hearing should contain: (1) The requesting party's name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of individuals from the requesting party that will attend the hearing, including whether any individuals are foreign nationals; and (3) a list of the issues the party intends to discuss at the hearing. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date. Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional Measures Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the publication of the preliminary determination in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                     if, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by the petitioner. Section 19 CFR 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce's regulations requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months in duration. On April 27, 2022, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(b) and (e), Siderca requested that, contingent upon an affirmative preliminary determination of sales at LTFV, Commerce postpone the final determination in this investigation up to 135 days after publication of this notice and that the provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six months.[13] In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because (1) the preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; [14]
                    
                     and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination in this investigation and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    , pursuant to section 735(a)(2) of the Act.[15] International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary determination. If Commerce's final determination is affirmative, then the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination whether imports of OCTG from Argentina into the United States are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties This preliminary determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: May 4, 2022. Lisa W. Wang, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
 Appendix I—Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain OCTG, which are hollow steel products of circular cross-section, including oil well casing and tubing, of iron (other than case iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether seamless or welded, regardless of end finish (
                        *e.g.,*
                         whether or not plain end, threaded, or threaded and coupled) whether or not conforming to American Petroleum Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished (including limited service OCTG products) or unfinished (including green tubes and limited service OCTG products), whether or not thread protectors are attached. The scope of this investigation also covers OCTG coupling stock. Subject merchandise includes material matching the above description that has been finished, packaged, or otherwise processed in a third country, including by performing any heat treatment, cutting, upsetting, threading, coupling, or any other finishing, packaging, or processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the OCTG. Excluded from the scope of the investigation are: casing, tubing, or coupling stock containing 10.5 percent or more by weight of chromium; drill pipe; unattached couplings; and unattached thread protectors. The merchandise subject to this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under item numbers: 7304.29.1010, 7304.29.1020, 7304.29.1030, 7304.29.1040, 7304.29.1050, 7304.29.1060, 7304.29.1080, 7304.29.2010, 7304.29.2020, 7304.29.2030, 7304.29.2040, 7304.29.2050, 7304.29.2060, 7304.29.2080, 7304.29.3110, 7304.29.3120, 7304.29.3130, 7304.29.3140, 7304.29.3150, 7304.29.3160, 7304.29.3180, 7304.29.4110, 7304.29.4120, 7304.29.4130, 7304.29.4140, 7304.29.4150, 7304.29.4160, 7304.29.4180, 7304.29.5015, 7304.29.5030, 7304.29.5045, 7304.29.5060, 7304.29.5075, 7304.29.6115, 7304.29.6130, 7304.29.6145, 7304.29.6160, 7304.29.6175, 7305.20.2000, 7305.20.4000, 7305.20.6000, 7305.20.8000, 7306.29.1030, 7306.29.1090, 7306.29.2000, 7306.29.3100, 7306.29.4100, 7306.29.6010, 7306.29.6050, 7306.29.8110, and 7306.29.8150. The merchandise subject to this investigation may also enter under the following HTSUS item numbers: 7304.39.0024, 7304.39.0028, 7304.39.0032, 7304.39.0036, 7304.39.0040, 7304.39.0044, 7304.39.0048, 7304.39.0052, 7304.39.0056, 7304.39.0062, 7304.39.0068, 7304.39.0072, 7304.39.0076, 7304.39.0080, 7304.59.6000, 7304.59.8015, 7304.59.8020, 7304.59.8025, 7304.59.8030, 7304.59.8035, 7304.59.8040, 7304.59.8045, 7304.59.8050, 7304.59.8055, 7304.59.8060, 7304.59.8065, 7304.59.8070, 7304.59.8080, 7305.31.4000, 7305.31.6090, 7306.30.5055, 7306.30.5090, 7306.50.5050, and 7306.50.5070. The HTSUS subheadings and specifications above are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive. Appendix II—List of Sections in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Scope of Investigation
                        ( print page 28804) V. Discussion of the Methodology VI. Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances VII. Currency Conversion VIII. Recommendation


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         
                        *See Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, and the Russian Federation: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,*86 FR 60205 (November 1, 2021) (
                        *Initiation Notice*). Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         
                        *See Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, and the Russian Federation: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,*87 FR 9034 (February 17, 2022). Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Affirmative Determinations of Sales at less Than Fair Value and Critical Circumstances in Investigation of Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina,” dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         
                        *See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,*62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997). Back to Citation
 5.
    
                         
                        *See Initiation Notice,*
                         86 FR at 60205-60206. Back to Citation
 6.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Antidumping Duty Investigations of Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, and the Russian Federation and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation: Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum,” dated March 7, 2022 (Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum). Back to Citation
 7.
    
                         Case briefs, other written comments, and rebuttal briefs submitted by parties in response to this preliminary LTFV determination should not include scope-related issues. 
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, and “Public Comment” section of this notice. Back to Citation
 8.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum at 4. Back to Citation
 9.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Commerce's Letter, “Antidumping Duty Investigation of Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina: Notification of Intent to Conduct Virtual Verification,” dated March 16, 2022. Back to Citation
 10.
    
                         Case briefs, other written comments, and rebuttal briefs submitted by parties in response to this preliminary LTFV determination should not include scope-related issues. The scope case briefs deadline expired on April 13, 2022. 
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum at 3-4; 
                        *see also Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Negative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination,*87 FR 14248 (March 14, 2022); and 
                        *Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Russian Federation: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, Preliminary Negative Critical Circumstances Determination, and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination,*87 FR 14249 (March 14, 2022). Back to Citation
 11.
    
                         
                        *See*19 CFR 351.309; 
                        *see also*19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements). Back to Citation
 12.
    
                         
                        *See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period,*85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020). Back to Citation
 13.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Siderca's Letter, “Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina: Request for Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional Measures Period,” dated April 27, 2022. Back to Citation
 14.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Antidumping Duty Investigation of Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina: Respondent Selection,” dated November 10, 2021. Back to Citation
 15.
    
                         
                        *See also*19 CFR 351.210(e). Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2022-10049 Filed 5-10-22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P