Dear Mr. Haynes, Our Organization, Nitin Castings, is in the field of manufacture of Reformer Catalyst Tubes for the last 30 years and have supplied thousands of such tubes to various clients in India and abroad. We will be in a position to meet your requirements in a much faster time frame than one year given by the German supplier. The exact time schedule can be given after we study your drawing and specifications. As regards the material, I would recommend you to go for HP-40Nb(Micro) which has superior creep rupture properties than ordinary HP-40Nb. Hence I would request you to please send these details at the earliest. Thanking you, With best regards, T.R.V.Kochappan Chief Executive Nitin Castings Ltd Eastern Express Highway Thane-400601 INDIA. Ph: 00-91-22-25342566 Fax: 00-91-22-25345854 E-mail: ncl@bom5.vsnl.net.in nitincastings@hathway.com URL: www.nitincastings.com

Further to Mr. Kocchappon other Tube Providors are Paralloy ; Birminghum , Schmidt & Clemens ; Germany , Sandvik . You may float detail quote tender to all and get the desired one. Nitin Castings are also well equipped for the same. Now it is upto you to evaluate for the Techno- Commercial and over and above Supply Management and Delivery Control terms. regards Debasis Mitra

Ian Haynes Would you like to share with us what really happen to your heater? What kind of inspection findings do you found? What progress do you have on heater retubing? Your tube failure was due to creep, thermal fatigue, and carburisation? Both? Or tube failure has occurred by other reasons? Your feedback would be helpful for other reformer heaters owners like me. Have a great new year 2006 without any failures and good luck Luis Marques “I want to thank you all for your valuable advise with regards to the "Best Practice" for inspection of the Reformer Heater tubes. Unfortunately, yesterday 2005-11-08 one of the tubes on the east cell ruptured from what appears to be a vertical through wall crack approximately five feet up the tube from the bottom and approx.12 inches in length. I have not yet been able to enter the heater but the excessive heat has damaged the external steel panel of the heater. Management are contemplating completely retubing the heater in 2006, but the earliest delivery for the tubes from a supplier in Germany is one year. What is your opinion on this delivery time ? Are there any other reliable suppliers that can produce these tubes (120) off in a shorter time ? Is this the best replacement material or is there better on the world market ? Thanks in Advance for your repiles.” Ian Haynes Senior Inspector Trinidad & Tobago.