Global outlook of flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry
Technavio’s market research analyst predicts the global flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry to grow at a CAGR of more than 3% by 2020. The growing acceptance of engineering-grade flexible materials, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is driving the implementation of flexible pipes in the oil and gas industry. These flexible materials have high chemical, corrosion, and wear-resistance, low weight, and mechanical properties, which have made them a viable alternative for various applications in the oil and gas industry. Several vendors in the oil and gas industry are using flexible composites to manufacture coiled tubing, risers, and umbilical. The use of engineering-grade flexible materials has augmented the demand for high-performance flexible pipes as they are cost-effective and more efficient than steel pipes. In addition, several innovations in drilling technologies in oil and gas exploration has boosted the demand for these non-corrosive flexible pipes.
North America was the largest revenue-contributing region in the market during 2015 and accounted for more than 41% of the overall market revenue. Flexible pipes are in high demand in the region due to the increasing number of oil and gas E&P activities being undertaken. Factors such as technological advancements in horizontal and pad drilling and the abundance of shale oil and gas reserves will augment the use of flexible pipes in the exploration of oil and gas in the region.
Competitive landscape and key vendors
The market is characterized by well diversified local, regional, and global vendors. However, the international players dominate this market owing to their capacity to expand their reach through strong distribution channels. These vendors have large product portfolios, well-established brand names, and better supply chain management, which help them to deliver their products with less turnaround time to oil and gas exploration companies. On the other hand, the local vendors face a tough challenge from the global vendors in terms of price, customer base, product portfolio, quality, transportation, and technology. Also, these vendors are inefficient in meeting customer specifications as compared to key market vendors.
Leading vendors in the market are -
- GE Oil & Gas
- SoluForce
- Technip
- NOV
- Airborne Oil & Gas
Other prominent vendors in the flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry include DeepFlex, FlexSteel Pipeline Technologies, FlexPipe Systems, Prysmian Group, and ContiTech AG.
Segmentation by type and analysis of the flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry
- HDPE
- PA
- PVDF
High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes will continue to dominate the flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry during the forecast period and is likely to occupy around 77% of the total market share by 2020. HDPE pipes have the highest consumption in most oil and gas activities because they are strong, tough, flexible, and easy to install as compared to other types. They are corrosion-free and can be easily welded by butt fusion or electrofusion couplers to confirm a total leak proof network. The consumption of HDPE pipes will increase in the coming years due to the rising number of offshore contracts being given to drilling companies in search of more oil.
Segmentation by application and analysis of the flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry
- Onshore
- Offshore
The offshore segment dominates the market and is anticipated to hold more than 67% of the total market share by 2020. Flexibles pipes are widely used in offshore applications, such as chemical injection pipes and risers. These pipes help to explore and develop petroleum reserves that are located under a water body, such as river, sea, lake, or ocean. Offshore drilling and production activities are increasing owing to the increasing importance of deep and ultra-deep water activities in regions like Africa and Central and South America. The applications of flexible pipes in products, such as coiled tubing, umbilical pipes, and risers for offshore production activities are projected to drive the market in the oil and gas industry during the predicted period.
Key questions answered in the report include
- What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?
- What are the key factors driving the global flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry?
- What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry?
- What are the challenges to market growth?
- Who are the key vendors in the global flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry?
- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry?
- Trending factors influencing the market shares of APAC, Central and South America, Europe and Central Asia, MEA, and North America.
- What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global flexible pipes market for oil and gas industry?
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