Abstract: Introduced here in the paper is the background concerning the energy market for development of the SAWL tube production,emphasizing that it is the construction projects of long-distance natural gas pipelines that have been promoting the tremendous development of the said weld tube production. Statistic data resulting from relevant survey show that there exist at home,25 sets of UOE/JCOE plants for production the SAWL weld tube with a total capacity of above 5.4 million tons,among which 10 sets are located densely in the Yangtse River Delta area with a total capacity of above 2 millions tons. Also analyzed are the separate product types and technological characteristics of the UOE and JCOE plants,and the comparative superiorities of the SAWL plant. Finally,the development orientation of the SAWL tube is pointed out,i. e.,product diversification,development of hi-end and high value-added products,and adhering to the scientific development idea.