[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 208 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60210-60214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23714]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-580-913, C-821-834]


Oil Country Tubular Goods From the Republic of Korea and the 
Russian Federation: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

DATES: Applicable October 26, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Litwin (the Republic of Korea) or 
Allison Hollander (the Russian Federation), AD/CVD Operations, 
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-6002 or (202) 482-2805, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petitions

    On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
received countervailing duty (CVD) petitions concerning imports of oil 
country tubular goods (OCTG) from the Republic of Korea (Korea) and the 
Russian Federation (Russia), filed in proper form on behalf of Borusan 
Mannesmann Pipe U.S., Inc.; PTC Liberty Tubulars LLC; U.S. Steel 
Tubular Products, Inc.; the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, 
Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers 
International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC; and Welded Tube USA, Inc. (the 
petitioners), domestic producers of OCTG and a certified union that 
represents workers engaged in the production of OCTG.\1\ The Petitions 
were accompanied by antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports 
of OCTG from Argentina, Mexico, and Russia.\2\
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    \1\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Oil Country Tubular Goods 
from Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Russia,'' dated 
October 6, 2021 (Petitions).
    \2\ Id.
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    On October 8, 12, and 19, 2021, Commerce requested supplemental 
information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions.\3\ The 
petitioners filed responses to these requests on October 12, 13, 15, 
and 21, 2021.\4\
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    \3\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Oil Country 
Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and the 
Russian Federation: Supplemental Questions,'' dated October 8, 2021 
(General Issues Questionnaire); Commerce's Letter, ``Petition for 
the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Oil Country 
Tubular Goods from the Russian Federation: Supplemental Questions,'' 
dated October 8, 2021; Commerce's Letter, ``Petition for the 
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Oil Country 
Tubular Goods from the Republic of Korea: Supplemental Questions,'' 
dated October 12, 2021; and Commerce's Letter, ``Petitions for the 
Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of 
Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of 
Korea, and the Russian Federation: Supplemental Questions,'' dated 
October 19, 2021.
    \4\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from 
Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Russia: Response to 
General Issues Questionnaire,'' dated October 12, 2021 (First 
General Issues Supplement); Petitioners' Letter, ``Oil Country 
Tubular Goods from the Russian Federation: Responses to Supplemental 
Questions,'' dated October 13, 2021; Petitioners' Letter, ``Oil 
Country Tubular Goods from the Republic of Korea: Responses to 
Supplemental Questions,'' dated October 15, 2021; and Petitioners' 
Letter, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, the 
Republic of Korea, and Russia: Response to Second General Issues 
Questionnaire,'' dated October 21, 2021 (Second General Issues 
Supplement).
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    In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioners allege that the Government of Korea 
(GOK) and the Government of Russia (GOR) are providing countervailable 
subsidies, within the meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to 
producers of OCTG in Korea and Russia, and that such imports are 
materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic 
industry producing OCTG in the United States. Consistent with section 
702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for those alleged programs 
on which we are initiating CVD investigations, the Petitions were 
accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioners 
supporting their allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petitions on behalf 
of the domestic industry because the petitioners are interested 
parties, as defined in sections 771(9)(C) and (D) of the Act. Commerce 
also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry 
support with respect to the initiation of the requested CVD 
investigations.\5\
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    \5\ See ``Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions'' 
section, infra.
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Period of Investigation

    Because the Petitions were filed on October 6, 2021, the period of 
investigation (POI) for these CVD investigations is January 1, 2020, 
through December 31, 2020.\6\
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    \6\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
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Scope of the Investigations

    The merchandise covered by these investigations are oil country 
tubular goods from Korea and Russia. For a full description of the 
scope of these investigations, see the appendix to this notice.

Comments on Scope of the Investigations

    On October 13, 2021, Commerce spoke with counsel to the petitioners 
regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the 
Petitions is an accurate reflection of the products for which the 
domestic industry is seeking relief.\7\
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    \7\ See Memorandum, ``Petitions for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Oil Country 
Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and the 
Russian Federation; Phone Call with Counsel to the Petitioners,'' 
dated October 13, 2021.
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    As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are 
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding 
product coverage (scope).\8\ Commerce will consider all comments 
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with 
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary 
determination. If scope comments include factual information,\9\ all 
such factual information should be limited to public information. To 
facilitate

[[Page 60211]]

preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that all 
interested parties submit scope comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 
on November 15, 2021, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date 
of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual 
information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 26, 2021, which 
is the first business day after 10 calendar days from the initial 
comment deadline.\10\
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    \8\ See Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27323 (May 19, 1997).
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \10\ The deadline for rebuttal comments falls on November 25, 
2021, which is a Federal holiday. Commerce's practice dictates that 
where a deadline falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the 
appropriate deadline is the next business day (in this instance, 
November 26, 2021). See Notice of Clarification: Application of 
``Next Business Day'' Rule for Administrative Determination 
Deadlines Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 
24533 (May 10, 2005).
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    Commerce requests that any factual information the parties consider 
relevant to the scope of the investigations be submitted during this 
time period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional 
factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigations may 
be relevant, the party may contact Commerce and request permission to 
submit the additional information. All such comments must be filed on 
the records of each of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception 
applies.\11\ An electronically filed document must be received 
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.
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    \11\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order 
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and 
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046 
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing 
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on using ACCESS 
can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a handbook 
can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook_on_Electronic_Filing_Procedures.pdf.
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Consultations

    Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce 
notified the GOK and the GOR of the receipt of the Petitions and 
provided an opportunity for consultations with respect to the 
Petitions.\12\ Commerce held consultations with the GOK and the GOR on 
October 14 and 21, 2021, respectively.\13\
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    \12\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on 
Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Republic of Korea,'' dated 
October 8, 2021; and Commerce's Letter, ``Invitation for 
Consultations,'' dated October 7, 2021.
    \13\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with Government of the 
Republic of Korea,'' dated October 15, 2021; and Memorandum, 
``Countervailing Duty Petition on Oil Country Tubular Goods from the 
Russian Federation: Consultations with Officials from the Government 
of the Russian Federation,'' dated October 21, 2021.
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions

    Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act 
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic 
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least 
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and 
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like 
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support 
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of 
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) 
Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if 
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or 
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling 
method to poll the ``industry.''
    Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the 
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine 
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute 
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the 
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which 
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has 
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like 
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the 
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic 
like product,\14\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination 
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may 
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences 
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\15\
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    \14\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \15\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT 
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F. 
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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    Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a 
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in 
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation 
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic 
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an 
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be 
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the 
petition).
    With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioners do not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the investigations.\16\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that OCTG, as defined in 
the scope, constitutes a single domestic like product, and we have 
analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\17\
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    \16\ See Petitions at Volume I at 20-22 and Exhibits I-11, I-13, 
I-14, and I-18.
    \17\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support, 
see Country-Specific Checklists, ``Countervailing Duty Investigation 
Initiation Checklists: Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Republic 
of Korea and the Russian Federation,'' dated concurrently with this 
Federal Register notice and on file electronically via ACCESS 
(Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists) at Attachment II, 
Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Petitions Covering Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, 
Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation 
(Attachment II).
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    In determining whether the petitioners have standing under section 
702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data 
contained in the Petitions with reference to the domestic like product 
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix to 
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioners provided 
the 2020 production of OCTG for the U.S. producers that support the 
Petitions.\18\ The petitioners estimated the 2020 production by non-
petitioning companies using shipment data available for the entire OCTG 
industry and publicly available information on production and domestic 
shipments from the ITC's 2020 report from the sunset review of OCTG 
from India, Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and the Socialist Republic of 
Vietnam.\19\ The petitioners estimated the total 2020 production of the 
domestic like product

[[Page 60212]]

for the entire industry by adding their production to the estimated 
production of the non-petitioning producers.\20\ We relied on data 
provided by the petitioners for purposes of measuring industry 
support.\21\
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    \18\ See Petitions at Volume I at Exhibits I-1 and I-3; see also 
First General Issues Supplement at 4 and Exhibits 4 and 8; and 
Second General Issues Supplement at Exhibits 3-5.
    \19\ See Petitions at Volume I at Exhibits I-1 and I-2; see also 
First General Issues Supplement at 6-10 and Exhibit 1 (containing 
Oil Country Tubular Goods from India, Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and 
Vietnam, Inv. No. 701-TA-499-500 and 731-TA-1215-1216, 1221-1223 
(Review), USITC Pub. 5090 (July 2020) (OCTG Review)) and Exhibit 8 
(containing OCTG Review at Table III-5); and Second General Issues 
Supplement at Exhibit 5.
    \20\ See First General Issues Supplement at 7 and Exhibit 8; see 
also Second General Issues Supplement at Exhibit 5.
    \21\ See Petitions at Volume I at Exhibits I-1 and I-2; see also 
First General Issues Supplement at 3-10 and Exhibits 1, 4, 5, and 8; 
and Second General Issues Supplement at 1-2 and Exhibits 2-5.
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    On October 8, 15, and 20, 2021, we received comments on industry 
support from Tenaris Bay City, Inc.; IPSCO Tubulars Inc.; Maverick Tube 
Corporation; and Tenaris Global Services (U.S.A.) Corporation 
(collectively, Tenaris USA), U.S. producers of OCTG.\22\ On October 18, 
2021, the petitioners responded to the comments from Tenaris USA.\23\ 
On October 21, 2021, the GOR raised industry support comments during 
the consultations held regarding the Russia CVD Petition.\24\ On 
October 21, 2021, we received comments from TMK Group (TMK), a Russian 
producer and exporter of OCTG.\25\ On October 22, 2021, Tenaris USA 
filed its fourth submission with Commerce and formally indicated that 
it opposes the Petitions.\26\ Also on October 22, 2021, the petitioners 
responded to TMK's comments.\27\
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    \22\ See Tenaris USA's Letters, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from 
Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Russia: Factual Errors 
in Petitions,'' dated October 8, 2021; and ``Oil Country Tubular 
Goods from Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Russia: 
Comments on Petitioners' Standing,'' dated October 15, 2021; and 
``Oil Country Tubular Goods from Mexico: Reply Comments on 
Petitioners' Standing,'' dated October 20, 2021. In addition, on 
October 21, 2021, Commerce met via video conference with counsel to 
Tenaris USA to discuss its industry support comments. See 
Memorandum, ``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Oil Country Tubular Goods from 
Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian 
Federation,'' dated October 21, 2021.
    \23\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from 
Argentina, Mexico, Russia, and the Republic of Korea: Response to 
Tenaris Submission Concerning Petitioners' Standing,'' dated October 
18, 2021 (Petitioners' Letter).
    \24\ See Memorandum, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Oil 
Country Tubular Goods from the Russian Federation: Consultations 
with Officials from the Government of the Russian Federation,'' 
dated October 21, 2021; see also GOR's Letter, ``Countervailing Duty 
Investigation of Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Russian 
Federation: Consultations,'' dated October 25, 2021.
    \25\ See TMK's Letter, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from Russia: 
Comments on Petitioners' Standing,'' dated October 21, 2021.
    \26\ See Tenaris USA's Letter, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from 
Argentina, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Russia: Comments on 
Petitioners' Second General Issues Questionnaire Response,'' dated 
October 22, 2021. We note that, though Tenaris USA opposes the 
Petitions, it has not provided any production data for Commerce to 
include in the industry support calculation. See Country-Specific 
CVD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II at footnote 47.
    \27\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Oil Country Tubular Goods from 
Russia: Response to TMK's Comments on Petitioners' Standing,'' dated 
October 22, 2021 (Petitioners' Letter II).
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    Based on the information provided in the Petitions, the First 
General Issues Supplement, Petitioners' Letter, the Second General 
Issues Supplement, Petitioners' Letter II, and other information 
readily available to Commerce, we determine that the domestic producers 
and workers have met the statutory criteria for industry support under 
section 702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or 
workers) who support the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product.\28\ Because the 
Petitions and supplemental submissions did not establish support from 
domestic producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce was 
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry 
support.\29\ In this case, Commerce was able to rely on other 
information, in accordance with section 702(c)(4)(D)(i) of the Act, to 
determine industry support.\30\ Based on information provided in the 
Petitions, the First General Issues Supplement, Petitioners' Letter, 
the Second General Issues Supplement, Petitioners' Letter II, and other 
information readily available to Commerce, the domestic producers and 
workers have met the statutory criteria for industry support under 
section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic producers (or 
workers) who support the Petitions account for more than 50 percent of 
the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of 
the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the 
Petitions.\31\ We note that, even if all other U.S. producers of OCTG 
oppose the Petitions (including Tenaris USA), the supporters of the 
Petitions would still have the requisite level of industry support 
pursuant to section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act.\32\ Accordingly, 
Commerce determines that the Petitions were filed on behalf of the 
domestic industry within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) of the 
Act.\33\
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    \28\ See Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists at 
Attachment II.
    \29\ See section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
    \30\ See Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists at 
Attachment II.
    \31\ Id.
    \32\ Id.
    \33\ Id.
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Injury Test

    Because Korea and Russia are ``Subsidies Agreement Countries'' 
within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of 
the Act applies to these investigations. Accordingly, the ITC must 
determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from Korea and/or 
Russia materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. 
industry.

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are 
benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports 
threaten to cause material injury to the U.S. industry producing the 
domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners allege that subject 
imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under section 
771(24)(A) of the Act.\34\
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    \34\ See Petitions at Volume I at 28 and Exhibit I-22.
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    The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by a significant and increasing volume of subject imports; 
reduced market share; underselling and price suppression; lost sales 
and revenues; declines in production, U.S. shipments, and capacity 
utilization; decline in employment; and adverse impact on the domestic 
industry's financial performance.\35\ We assessed the allegations and 
supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material 
injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined 
that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence and 
meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\36\
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    \35\ Id. at 1-2, 28-48 and Exhibits I-1, I-5, I-6, I-8, I-9, I-
11, I-13, I-14, I-20, I-22 through I-34; see also First General 
Issues Supplement at 10.
    \36\ See Country-Specific CVD Initiation Checklists at 
Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material 
Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Petitions Covering Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Mexico, 
the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation.
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Initiation of CVD Investigations

    Based upon our examination of the Petitions on OCTG from Korea and 
Russia, including supplemental information provided by the petitioners, 
we find that the Petitions meet the requirements of section 702 of the 
Act. Therefore, we are initiating CVD investigations to determine 
whether imports of OCTG from Korea and Russia benefit from 
countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOK and the GOR, 
respectively. In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 
CFR

[[Page 60213]]

351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary 
determinations no later than 65 days after the publication date of 
these initiations.

Korea

    Based on our review of the Petition on Korean OCTG, we find that 
there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 46 
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision 
to initiate on each program, see Korea CVD Initiation Checklist. A 
public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is 
available on ACCESS.

Russia

    Based on our review of the Petition on Russian OCTG, we find that 
there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 12 
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision 
to initiate on each program, see Russia CVD Initiation Checklist. A 
public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is 
available on ACCESS.

Respondent Selection

    The petitioners named 287 companies in Korea and 14 companies in 
Russia as producers/exporters of OCTG.\37\ Commerce intends to follow 
its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate company-
specific subsidy rates in these investigations.
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    \37\ See Volume I of the Petitions at Exhibit I-19.
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    In the event that Commerce determines that the number of companies 
in Korea or Russia is large and it cannot individually examine each 
company based upon Commerce's resources, where appropriate, Commerce 
intends to select respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of OCTG from Korea and Russia 
during the POI under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States subheadings listed in the ``Scope of the 
Investigations,'' in the appendix.
    On October 19, 2021, Commerce released CBP data for U.S. imports of 
OCTG from Korea and Russia under administrative protective order (APO) 
to all parties with access to information protected by APO and 
indicated that interested parties wishing to comment regarding the CBP 
data and respondent selection must do so within three business days of 
the publication date of the notice of initiation of these CVD 
investigations.\38\ Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments 
regarding the CBP data or respondent selection. Interested parties must 
submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on 
the Commerce's website at http://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
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    \38\ See Memoranda, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Imports of 
Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Russian Federation: Release of 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Data,'' dated October 19, 2021; 
and ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Imports of Oil Country Tubular 
Goods from the from the Republic of Korea: Release of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection Data,'' dated October 19, 2021.
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    Comments on CBP data and respondent selection must be filed 
electronically using ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be 
received successfully, in its entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 
p.m. ET on the specified deadline.

Distribution of Copies of the Petitions

    In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petitions has been 
provided to the GOK and GOR via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, 
Commerce will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the 
Petitions to each exporter named in the Petitions, as provided under 19 
CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

    Commerce will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by 
section 702(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determination by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of OCTG from Korea and Russia are materially 
injuring or threatening material injury to a U.S. industry.\39\ A 
negative ITC determination for any country will result in the 
investigation being terminated with respect to that country.\40\ 
Otherwise, the investigations will proceed according to statutory and 
regulatory time limits.
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    \39\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
    \40\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual 
information described in (i)-(iv). Any party, when submitting factual 
information, must specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 
351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted and, if the 
information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual 
information already on the record, provide an explanation identifying 
the information already on the record that the factual information 
seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.\41\ Time limits for the submission 
of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides 
specific time limits based on the type of factual information being 
submitted. Interested parties should review the regulations prior to 
submitting factual information in these investigations.
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    \41\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
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Extensions of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301 or as 
otherwise specified by the Secretary. In general, an extension request 
will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the 
time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are 
due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be 
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. 
Under certain circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different 
time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for 
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such 
a case, Commerce will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the 
deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must 
be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in 
a separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances Commerce 
will grant untimely-filed requests for the extension of time limits. 
Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the extension 
of time limits prior to submitting extension requests in these 
investigations.\42\
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    \42\ See 19 CFR 351.301; see also Extension of Time Limits; 
Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013), available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm.
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Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding 
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\43\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\44\ Commerce intends to

[[Page 60214]]

reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with 
the applicable certification requirements.
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    \43\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \44\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at 
http://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
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Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Instructions for filing such 
applications may be found on the Commerce website at http://enforcement.trade.gov/apo. Parties wishing to participate in these 
investigations should ensure that they meet the requirements of 19 CFR 
351.103(d) (e.g., by filing a letter of appearance). Note that Commerce 
has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for serving 
documents containing business proprietary information until further 
notice.\45\
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    \45\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements 
Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 
10, 2020).
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    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and 
777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: October 26, 2021.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, Performing the 
Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigations

    The merchandise covered by the investigations is certain oil 
country tubular goods (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 the investigations 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 investigations if performed in the 
country of manufacture of the OCTG.
    Excluded from the scope of the investigations are: Casing or 
tubing containing 10.5 percent or more by weight of chromium; drill 
pipe; unattached couplings; and unattached thread protectors.
    The merchandise subject to these investigations 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 the investigations 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 above are provided for convenience and 
customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the 
investigations is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2021-23714 Filed 10-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P