Counterfeiting the seamless steel of VALLOUREC pipes, which is a leading manufacturer of tubular solutions, can pose major risks to the petroleum industry and the safety of its workforce.
The IPR Department received a tip-off that 4 containers onboard a vessel coming from an Asian country are carrying 58 counterfeit oil and gas pipes. The containers were tracked and seized after a thorough technical inspection of the tubular goods, which did not conform with the quality requirements and standard specifications. Upon examination of the goods and the accompanying documents, Dubai Customs officers ascertained that the trademark on the steel pipes was counterfeited and that the quality certificates presented had been forged.
The French manufacturer, Vallourec, provides a full range of seamless steel tubes and VAM® premium connections for Oil & Gas well equipment including casing, tubing and accessories. High quality and endurance of these pipes ensure they can endure high pressure and temperature.
“Counterfeiting has a damaging effect on business, the economy and the general population, and when it comes to oil and gas pipes, it can wreak havoc on the environment as well,” said Yousef Ozair Mubarak, Director of IPR Department. “As soon as we received information about this shipment of fake pipes, we moved swiftly to seize and recycle the contraband to prevent any potential damage to the environment. This is our commitment towards manufacturers and rights-holders in order to provide them the best investment conditions in support of sustainable economic development.”
Commenting on the seizure, Shuaib Al Suwaidi, Director of Customs Intelligence Department said: “Our control room spots and tracks any high-risk consignments of smuggled goods before their arrival to Dubai using the Smart Vessel Tracking System, which Dubai Customs developed for the purpose. We were alerted by the IPR Department and acted accordingly to track down the suspected shipment and eventually intercepted a significant haul of illicit counterfeit steel pipes.”