VALLOUREC : Vallourec widens its premium offer for the offshore oil & gas market with the production of umbilicals' tubes

24. September 2013 New Burgundy plant receives first order (Scroll down at the end of the press release for photos) Boulogne-Billancourt, 24 September 2013 - Vallourec, world leader in premium tubular solutions, announces the launch of a new offer for the offshore oil & gas market: the production of welded stainless steel tubes to be fitted into umbilicals[1]. Although they do not transport any produced oil or gas, umbilicals are a key component in a subsea installation. They are used to connect the equipments on the seabed to a control station at the surface. Thanks to an innovative manufacturing process, tubes for umbilicals produced at the new Vallourec Umbilicals plant in Venarey-Les Laumes (Côte-d'Or, France) offer superior strength and mechanical properties compared to products currently available on the market. Elaborated with TOTAL as Technical Sponsor, this new product widens Vallourec's offer of premium solutions for offshore operations. Unequalled performances The continuous production process developed by Vallourec ("rolled and longitudinally welded tubes") capitalizes on the knowhow acquired by the Group in the production of long welded tubes.  It allows for the production of tubes of 10 to 30 km with a minimum number of butt welds, reducing "weak" points, and an unmatched welding quality of the whole. Vallourec's tubes will be inserted in the umbilicals alongside other components (electric cables, carbon rods, optical fibers). They will carry utility fluids necessary for production operations. Vallourec's tubes are thinner hence the umbilicals they will be integrated in lighter and easier to install at sea. Their superior strength and mechanical properties improve the overall resistance of umbilicals in operational conditions. A new premium market After having obtained its ISO 9001 and Bureau Veritas certifications, Vallourec Umbilicals has become an approved supplier of TOTAL, and is currently in the qualification process by its clients, the main umbilicals manufacturers. The plant is already working on a prototype order; actual industrial ramp-up is expected to take place in 2014. Dominique Richardot, Managing Director of Vallourec's Pipe Project and SURF (Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines) activities, declared: "By offering a product with unique characteristics to the market, we are positioning ourselves to meet the growing demands of deepwater and ultra-deepwater offshore fields. This new premium activity reinforces Vallourec's position on the subsea construction market and our ability to provide integrated solutions." This new product completes the range of integrated solutions offered by Vallourec for subsea construction -which also includes line pipe, risers, and welding services, and gives the Group access to a new, highly premium market. In images: [1] Made of small-diameter tubes, cables and/or optical fibers, umbilicals are used for transporting fluids, supplying power, and transmitting information. About Vallourec Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions primarily serving the energy markets, as well as other industrial applications. With over 23,000 employees, integrated manufacturing facilities, advanced R&D and a presence in more than 20 countries, Vallourec offers its customers innovative global solutions to meet the energy challenges of the 21st century. Listed on the NYSE Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120354, Ticker VK) and eligible for the Deferred Settlement System (SRD), Vallourec is included in the following indices: MSCI World Index, Euronext 100 and CAC 40. In the United States, Vallourec has established a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R2094, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between ADR and a Vallourec ordinary share has been set at 5:1. www.vallourec.com For further information, please contact Press relations   Investor relations Caroline Philips Etienne Bertrand Tel: +33 (0)1 41 03 77 50 Tel: +33 (0)1 49 09 35 58 caroline.philips@vallourec.fr etienne.bertrand@vallourec.fr Copyright S Caso_Vallourec Umbilicals (4) jpg: http://hugin.info/143606/R/1730976/578606.jpg Copyright S Caso_Vallourec Umbilicals (3) jpg: http://hugin.info/143606/R/1730976/578605.jpg Vallourec Umbilicals Graphics pdf: http://hugin.info/143606/R/1730976/578602.pdf 130924_Press release Vallourec Umbilicals_ENG pdf: http://hugin.info/143606/R/1730976/578601.pdf Copyright Duco_Coupe d'un ombilical (1) jpg: http://hugin.info/143606/R/1730976/578603.jpg Copyright S Caso_Vallourec Umbilicals (2) jpg: http://hugin.info/143606/R/1730976/578604.jpg This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: VALLOUREC via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1730976]