The Indian steelmaker Welspun outbid other 13 international companies and local steelmaker Tenaris to win the contract to supply pipelines for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Vaca Muerta, Argentina.

This represents the first time in Tenaris's more than 70-year history that it has not been selected for a major energy project in the country. Tenaris, which belongs to the Techint group, is the only manufacturer of pipelines for the oil and gas industry in Argentina.

The contract involves supplying pipes for a nearly 500-kilometer length that will transport gas from Vaca Muerta to the coast of Río Negro province, where it will be liquefied and exported by ship. 

Welspun's winning bid was just over US$200 million, approximately 40% lower than Tenaris' offer.