세계 원유 유동성 향상제 시장 규모는 2024년 18억 3,000만 달러에 달했습니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 이 시장이 2033년까지 28억 4,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 예상하며, 2025년부터 2033년까지 4.74%의 연평균 복합 성장률(CAGR)을 보일 것으로 예측했습니다. 현재 북미가 시장을 독점하고 있으며, 2024년 시장 점유율은 42.0%를 초과했습니다. 석유 생산량 증가, 유동성 향상 기술의 지속적인 혁신, 세계 에너지 수요 증가, 파이프라인 인프라의 확장은 주로 원유 유동성 향상제 시장 점유율을 확대하고 있습니다.
원유 유동성 향상제(COFIs) 수요는 전 세계 원유 생산 및 운송과 직결되어 있습니다. 각국이 에너지 안보를 극대화하고 에너지 수요 증가에 대응하기 위해 육지와 해상을 막론하고 유전이 확대되고 있습니다. 2024년 10월부터 12월까지 세계 석유 수요는 계절적으로 증가하여 하루 150만 배럴이 증가하여 2023년 같은 기간 이후 가장 큰 폭으로 증가하였습니다. 이는 기존 예상보다 하루 26만 배럴 더 높은 수치입니다. 2024년 석유 수요 증가는 일평균 94만 배럴로 예측되며, 2025년에는 세계 경제가 다소 개선되면서 일평균 105만 배럴로 다소 가속화될 것으로 예측됩니다. 그러나 원유 수송, 특히 파이프라인을 통한 원유 수송에는 많은 어려움이 따릅니다. 석유가 장거리 파이프라인을 통과할 때 점도 문제, 파라핀의 축적, 추운 지역에서의 동결에 직면하게 됩니다. 유동성 향상제가 없으면 석유 이동이 느려지고, 운영 비용이 증가하며, 파이프라인이 막힐 위험이 있습니다.
미국은 북미 시장 점유율의 83.70%를 차지하며 시장을 혼란에 빠뜨리는 주요한 존재가 되고 있습니다. 중국에서는 채굴이 용이한 재래식 매장량의 고갈로 인해 셰일오일, 오일샌드, 초중질유 등 비전통 석유자원이 각광받고 있습니다. 예를 들어, 셰일가스 및 타이트가스에서 1,778조 입방피트(Tcf), 석탄층 메탄(CBM)에서 76Tcf의 회수 가능한 가스가 국내에서 회수되었습니다. 이러한 공급원은 석유 수요를 충족시키는 데 도움이 되지만, 유동성에 대한 큰 문제도 안고 있습니다. 예를 들어, 셰일 오일은 왁스를 많이 함유하고 있어 저온에서 파라핀이 침전되기 쉽습니다. 이러한 비재래식 원유의 채굴 및 운송에는 점도를 낮추고, 막힘을 방지하고, 펌프 효율을 최적화하기 위한 특수 유동성 향상제가 필요합니다.
에너지 수요 증가
세계 에너지 수요 증가로 효율적인 원유 생산 및 운송의 필요성이 증가하고 있습니다. 예를 들어, Energy Institute의 기사에 따르면, 2023년 세계 1차 에너지 소비량은 2% 증가한 620EJ로 2년 연속 증가하였습니다. 이는 10년 평균보다 0.6% 높은 성장률입니다. 에너지 소비가 증가함에 따라 석유 및 가스 산업은 효과적인 유량 개선제 사용과 같은 운영 효율성 향상을 요구하고 있으며, 원유 유동성 향상제 시장 점유율을 높이고 있습니다.
비재래식 오일 생산량 증가
셰일오일, 오일샌드, 중질유 등 비전통 오일의 생산이 증가함에 따라 고점도와 복잡한 유동 특성에 대응하는 유동성 향상제의 필요성이 증가하고 있습니다. Goldman Sachs는 미국 48개 주 하부의 셰일오일 생산량이 유정 생산성 향상으로 2025년 60만 B/D 증가하여 2024년 대비 약 50% 증가할 것으로 전망하고 있습니다. 미국 에너지정보국(EIA)의 보고서에 따르면, 2023년 타이트 오일 자원은 약 30억 4,000만 배럴(832만 배럴/일)로 미국 원유 총 생산량의 64%를 차지할 것으로 예상했습니다. 이러한 추세는 원유 유동성 향상제 수요를 촉진할 것으로 예측됩니다.
파이프라인 인프라 확대
파이프라인 네트워크의 개발과 확장은 원유를 효율적으로 운송하는 데 있어 매우 중요합니다. 예를 들어, 한 업계 보고서에 따르면, 2023년 10월, 전 세계적으로 약 806개의 석유 파이프라인이 작동 중이라고 합니다. 당시 건설 중인 송유관은 25개였습니다. 신규 파이프라인이나 기존 파이프라인의 업그레이드는 특히 극한의 온도와 원유 성분이 다른 지역에서 원활하고 효율적인 원유 수송을 보장하기 위해 유량 개선 장치가 필요한 경우가 많습니다. 이러한 요인들은 원유 유동성 향상제 시장 예측에 더욱 긍정적인 영향을 미치고 있습니다.
The global crude oil flow improvers market size was valued at USD 1.83 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 2.84 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.74% during 2025-2033. North America currently dominates the market, holding a market share of over 42.0% in 2024. The rising oil production, ongoing innovations in flow improver technology, growing global energy demand, and expanding pipeline infrastructure, are primarily escalating the crude oil flow improvers market share.
The demand for crude oil flow improvers (COFIs) is directly tied to global crude oil production and transportation. Oil fields, both onshore and offshore, are expanding as countries try to maximize energy security and meet rising energy demands. During October to December 2024, global oil demand saw a seasonal increase, growing by 1.5 million barrels per day, the strongest growth since the same period in 2023. This rise was 260,000 barrels per day higher than previously expected. For 2024, oil demand growth is projected at 940,000 barrels per day, with a slight acceleration to 1.05 million barrels per day in 2025 as the global economy improves a bit. However, transporting crude oil, especially through pipelines, comes with challenges. When oil flows through long-distance pipelines, it faces viscosity issues, paraffin buildup, and even freezing in cold climates. Without flow improvers, oil movement slows down, increasing operational costs and risking pipeline blockages.
The United States stands as a major market disruptor with 83.70% market share in North America. Unconventional oil sources, like shale oil, oil sands, and ultra-heavy crude, are gaining prominence in the country due to the depletion of easy-to-extract conventional reserves. For instance, an estimated 1,778 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable gas from shale and tight gas, and 76 Tcf from coalbed methane (CBM) were recovered in the country. While these sources are helping meet the oil demand, they present significant flow-related challenges. Shale oil, for instance, contains high wax content, making it highly susceptible to paraffin deposition at lower temperatures. Extracting and transporting these unconventional crude oils require specialized flow improvers to lower viscosity, prevent blockages, and optimize pumping efficiency.
Rising Energy Demand
The overall increase in global energy demand drives the need for efficient crude oil production and transportation. For example, as reported by the Energy Institute in an article, in 2023, primary energy consumption around the world grew by 2% to 620 EJ, making it the second year in a row. Its growth rate was 0.6% higher than its 10-year average. As energy consumption rises, the oil and gas industry seek to improve operational efficiency, including the use of effective flow improvers, thereby boosting the crude oil flow improvers market share.
Increased Production of Non-Conventional Oils
The growing production of non-conventional oils, including shale oil, oil sands, and heavy oils, increases the need for flow improvers to address their high viscosity and complex flow properties. Goldman Sachs projects that U.S. lower 48 shale oil output will rise by 600,000 bpd in 2025, about 50% higher than in 2024, due to improved well productivity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that in 2023, tight-oil resources contributed approximately 3.04 billion barrels (8.32 million bpd), making up 64% of total U.S. crude production. These trends are expected to drive demand for crude oil flow improvers.
Expansion of Pipeline Infrastructure
The development and expansion of pipeline networks are crucial for transporting crude oil efficiently. For instance, according to an industry report, in October 2023, there were nearly 806 functioning oil pipelines globally. At that time, there were 25 oil pipelines under construction. New pipelines and upgrades to existing ones often require flow improvers to ensure smooth and efficient oil transport, particularly in regions with extreme temperatures or varying crude oil compositions. These factors are further positively influencing the crude oil flow improvers market forecast.
According to the crude oil flow improvers market outlook, paraffin inhibitors represent the largest market share of 30.5%. They are designed to prevent the formation and deposition of paraffin wax in crude oil. Wax formation can occur when crude oil cools, leading to blockages and flow restrictions in pipelines and processing equipment. The rise in the production of heavy oils, bitumen, and other high-wax crudes, particularly from oil sands and shale deposits, drives the need for effective paraffin inhibitors. These types of crude oils typically have higher wax content, leading to more significant challenges with wax deposition.
According to the crude oil flow improvers market trends, extraction leads the market share with 43.8%. In the extraction phase of crude oil production, flow improvers are essential for optimizing the process and ensuring that oil can be effectively transported from the wellhead to processing facilities. Crude oil with high viscosity or wax content can be challenging to pump. In this regard, COFIs help to reduce the viscosity and prevent the formation of waxy deposits, making it easier to extract the oil.
North America represents the largest market share with 42.0%. The surge in oil production, particularly from unconventional sources, such as shale oil in the U.S. and oil sands in Canada, necessitates the use of flow improvers to handle the more challenging properties of these oils. Moreover, the development and expansion of pipeline networks to transport crude oil efficiently requires the use of flow improvers to maintain optimal flow rates and reduce operational costs. Apart from this, continuous innovations in flow improver formulations and technologies, including more effective chemicals and application techniques, are driving market growth by offering enhanced performance and cost efficiency.
United States Crude Oil Flow Improvers Market Analysis
The U.S. crude oil market is still the leading region in North America with 83.70%, because of the healthy growth of production and exports. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) states that in 2023, the U.S. produced about 12.9 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, which places it as the world's largest producer. Exports also stood at a record 4.1 million bpd. The shale revolution remains the driving force behind this production, particularly the Permian Basin. Government policies on energy security and investment in infrastructure like pipe expansion and refinery upgradation certainly boost the markets. The top companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron are targeting technologically advanced extraction to improve extraction efficiency. On the other hand, geographically, the U.S. will enjoy a diversified energy mix by balancing the traditional crude oil with high investment in renewable energy. Market volatility obviously remains an issue affected by demand change worldwide and the play of politics across the world. Domestic production resilience places the United States as one of the core suppliers in world crude oil supply.
Europe Crude Oil Flow Improvers Market Analysis
Europe's crude oil flow improvers market growth is influenced by the diversification of energy sources and geopolitical rivalry. Eurostat shows that in 2023, the EU imported about 3.2 million bpd of crude oil. This figure significantly dropped as a result of the transition towards energy sources and reduced dependency on Russian oil. Germany, France, and the Netherlands have also been spending in alternative sources of energy that are reducing demand for crude oil. However, the refining sector is strong with key players like Shell and BP optimizing their operations. The European oil market also faces regulatory pressures, as stricter environmental policies push companies toward cleaner energy solutions. The other major non-EU oil producer is Norway, which has remained a significant supplier, producing around 2 million bpd in 2023, as per reports. Green energy and increased strategic oil reserve dependency are influencing the crude oil market in Europe, and concerns over energy security continue to guide policy decisions.
Asia Pacific Crude Oil Flow Improvers Market Analysis
Asia Pacific is still the most important crude oil consumer with rapid industrialization and population growth. China, according to National Bureau of Statistics, imported around 11.3 million bpd of crude oil in 2023, thereby remaining the largest importer in the world. Indian demand also showed a significant surge; oil imports are around 4.8 million bpd, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas informed. Regional refineries have been broadening their expansions into complex refining capacities to accommodate varied crude grades. PetroChina, Sinopec, and Indian Oil Corporation take the lead in engaging with government initiatives for securing energy supply in the market, despite the high demand due to the evolving energy transition policies and rising renewable energy consumption. Geopolitical risks include tensions in the South China Sea, and so diversification remains a major strategy for the key consumers.
Latin America Crude Oil Flow Improvers Market Analysis
Major producers of crude oil in Latin America include Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela. Petrobras reported that Brazil produced around 3.3 million bpd of crude oil in 2023, as deepwater exploration in the pre-salt fields was favorable. Mexico's oil production, led by Pemex, averaged around 1.6 million bpd, as the government focused on revitalizing its energy sector. Venezuela had some of the world's largest crude reserves despite economic hardships. Production oscillated around 800,000 bpd according to OPEC reports. Infrastructure investment and refining capacity pose significant challenges in maximising export capabilities. Political instability, most pronounced in Venezuela, influences market conditions, and regulatory reforms undertaken in Brazil and Mexico intend to promote foreign investments. Renewable energy in the region is slowly shifting the focus away from crude oil, but demand for petroleum products remains stable.
Middle East and Africa Crude Oil Flow Improvers Market Analysis
The Middle East and Africa continue to be the world's main source of crude oil, based on enormous reserves and strategic production policies. According to OPEC, Saudi Arabia maintained an average crude oil production of around 9.0 million bpd in 2023, adjusting output in line with OPEC+ agreements to stabilize global markets. The UAE, another key producer, produced around 3.8 million bpd, investing in capacity expansion through ADNOC's strategic initiatives. Nigeria and Angola lead oil production in Africa. Nigeria has produced around 1.4 million bpd, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. However, this is not a stable production source due to security threats, old infrastructure, and regulatory uncertainties. The Middle East continues to dictate global oil prices, and even issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iranian oil export policies have a strong influence on the dynamics of supply. Even with increasing investments into renewable energy sources, crude oil still undergird the economies of many nations in this region.
In the crude oil flow improvers market, innovation and strategic expansion are being followed by leading companies to meet the changing needs of the oil and gas industry. They are focusing on developing advanced additives to improve the efficiency of crude oil extraction, transportation, and refining. These efforts improve flow characteristics, reduce energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact. Companies are strengthening their global presence through strategic partnerships and acquisitions to better serve key markets and meet regional demand. In this light, the alignment of their products with the direction of the industry towards unconventional sources of oil and the requirement of cost-effective operation puts them in a good position to benefit from the increasing demand for effective flow assurance solutions.