MAY 15, 2015
GREGORY, TEXAS
Three people were injured after a suspected tornado hit the
TPCO plant under construction near Gregory.
The injuries don't appear to be serious and damage to the
plant, which is still under construction, is unknown at this time.
Several people nearby outside the Sherwin-Alumna plant
witnessed a tornado on the ground.
An employee sent us a photo of a lift that was swung around
and smashed into a mobile office on the site.
Other employees told us it was a crazy scene as the guard
shack was destroyed and golf carts were tossed around the area.
What is the TCPO plant?
As the culmination of a process that began in 2007, Tianjin
Pipe (Group) Corporation is moving towards investing in excess of $1 billion
through TPCO America (with U.S.-joint venture partners) to build a seamless
steel pipe manufacturing facility on a 253-acre site east of Gregory, Texas.
Construction of the 1.6 million square-foot facility will take approximately 34 months and will provide construction-related jobs for approximately 2,000 American workers.
As the plant begins operations, it will employ an estimated workforce of 300-400 people. Once production ramps up, the operational workforce may ultimately expand to estimated 600-800 workers. Since 2007, the San Patricio Economic Development Corporation, the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, and numerous officials and citizens have worked to encourage this investment. A preliminary study projected a total boost to the local economy of approximately $2.7 billion over the first decade of construction and operation of the facility.
Using an electric arc furnace to convert recycled scrap steel and pig iron, the facility will be fueled by electricity and natural gas and will utilize Best Available Control Technology and cutting-edge processes that reduce emissions, conserve energy, and decrease environmental impacts. The facility will recycle water and retain storm water for reuse.
Tianjin Pipe has been supplying seamless steel pipe to major international oil and gas companies for two decades, including companies throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast region. It exports to over 100 countries today and also expects the TPCO America facility to develop a substantial export market.
Given growing global demand for steel pipe in the energy industry, beginning in 2007, the company undertook a comprehensive, market-based global survey for this seamless pipe project. After reviewing approximately 70 sites in the USA, it selected one in San Patricio County, in the heart of the U.S. oil patch.
When operational, the TPCO America facility will produce annually approximately 500,000 metric tons of 4" through 10 3/4" seamless steel pipe principally for use in the energy industry, both here and abroad.
By supplying seamless steel pipe as an alternative to imported seamless steel pipe, TPCO America will help promote domestic energy security and domestic manufacturing output. Even at full capacity, the facility will be able to meet less than one third of the demand currently met by suppliers located outside the United States.
TPCO America has already secured the required air permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
When completed, the TPCO America facility will be the largest single investment by Chinese company in a US manufacturing facility.
Construction of the 1.6 million square-foot facility will take approximately 34 months and will provide construction-related jobs for approximately 2,000 American workers.
As the plant begins operations, it will employ an estimated workforce of 300-400 people. Once production ramps up, the operational workforce may ultimately expand to estimated 600-800 workers. Since 2007, the San Patricio Economic Development Corporation, the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, and numerous officials and citizens have worked to encourage this investment. A preliminary study projected a total boost to the local economy of approximately $2.7 billion over the first decade of construction and operation of the facility.
Using an electric arc furnace to convert recycled scrap steel and pig iron, the facility will be fueled by electricity and natural gas and will utilize Best Available Control Technology and cutting-edge processes that reduce emissions, conserve energy, and decrease environmental impacts. The facility will recycle water and retain storm water for reuse.
Tianjin Pipe has been supplying seamless steel pipe to major international oil and gas companies for two decades, including companies throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast region. It exports to over 100 countries today and also expects the TPCO America facility to develop a substantial export market.
Given growing global demand for steel pipe in the energy industry, beginning in 2007, the company undertook a comprehensive, market-based global survey for this seamless pipe project. After reviewing approximately 70 sites in the USA, it selected one in San Patricio County, in the heart of the U.S. oil patch.
When operational, the TPCO America facility will produce annually approximately 500,000 metric tons of 4" through 10 3/4" seamless steel pipe principally for use in the energy industry, both here and abroad.
By supplying seamless steel pipe as an alternative to imported seamless steel pipe, TPCO America will help promote domestic energy security and domestic manufacturing output. Even at full capacity, the facility will be able to meet less than one third of the demand currently met by suppliers located outside the United States.
TPCO America has already secured the required air permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
When completed, the TPCO America facility will be the largest single investment by Chinese company in a US manufacturing facility.