A method of producing steel pipes is provided which comprises the steps of providing a steel strip, processing the steel strip into a preheated open pipe, preheating the open pipe at its two opposite longitudinal edges at a temperature higher than about the Curie point, heating the open pipe at the two opposite edges at a temperature higher than about 1,300.degree. C. but lower than the melting point of the steel strip, pressure welding the resultant open pipe with a squeeze roll to thereby form a steel pipe, smoothing the steel pipe at its thick-walled portion formed on an outer surface of the welded seam, and subsequently cutting or winding the resulting steel pipe. An apparatus adapted to form the steel pipes is also provided.