Market Trends of Sand Control Systems Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Sand Control Systems Market according to our research experts:
Offshore Segment to Dominate the Market
- In many offshore regions, the geologic formations that produce oil and gas are unconsolidated, which means the sand that makes up these formations is loose or poorly bonded, much like the sand on a beach. As a result, this loose sand can end up inside the production piping in the well or production equipment on the surface.
- Sand production is highly undesirable, since it can plug pipes and equipment, erode piping (much like sand blasting), and lead to corrosion of pipe and equipment. Eliminating sand production has been one of the main production challenges faced by engineers since the early days of offshore oil and gas development.
- The offshore oil and gas industry accounts for around 30% of the global crude oil production. The Middle-East, North Sea, Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caspian Sea are the major offshore oil and gas producing regions. The decline in the offshore rig count had slowed down in 2017, and offshore activity started to pick up after 2017. An estimated of more than 90 offshore projects are in the queue to receive a green signal in the next few years, driving the demand for sand control system in the offshore sector.
- Moreover, the cost of operation in the offshore have declined significantly over the past few years, enough for the industry to start to step up the spending gradually in the coming years.
- Hence, due to aforementioned factors the sand control systems market for offshore segment is expected to positive during the forecast period.
Middle-East and Africa to be the Fastest Growing Market
- Saudi Arabia has oil and gas trapped in sandstone with unique characteristics, which exhibit low-to-moderate permeability but a high sanding tendency caused by unconsolidated rock under high pressure and temperature. Owing to its huge oil and gas production base with high sanding tendency, the country is one of the largest markets for sand control systems in the world.
- Saudi Aramco, the country's largest oil and gas company, is continuously engaged in exploration and development to compensate for declining fields elsewhere. During the downturn, in contrast to the world, Saudi Arabia has ramped up its rig count since 2014, especially gas wells. The company plans to double its gas production over the next decade, as the country plans to switch to local power plants to gas from oil, so it can export more oil.
- Moreover, Nigeria holds the top position among the ten countries, with the largest remaining crude oil and condensate deep-water reserves. The majority of reserves are along the country's Niger River Delta and offshore in the Bight of Benin, the Gulf of Guinea, and the Bight of Bonny. As of now, exploration activities are mostly focused in the deep and ultra-deep offshore, although some onshore exploration is also taking place.
- Therefore, factors such as upcoming offshore E&P activities especially from the West Africa region is expected to boost the sand control systems market in the region in the coming years.