US Onshore Drilling Fluid Market Forecast 2024-2028

The US Onshore drilling fluid market size is forecast to increase by USD 401.08 million at a CAGR of 4.45% between 2023 and 2028. The report includes historic market data from 2018-2022. The market for sustainable onshore drilling fluids is witnessing a significant surge in demand, propelled by the increasing environmental consciousness globally. This trend is further fueled by the emergence of next-generation automated drilling rigs, which are revolutionizing drilling operations by significantly enhancing efficiency and safety standards. The adoption of these advanced drilling technologies not only meets the growing demand for sustainable practices but also addresses the need for more efficient and safer drilling processes, driving the market toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. Furthermore, the continuous growth in oil demand from prolific regions like the Permian Basin contributes to market expansion.

Market Overview :

• Water-based is the fastest-growing segment during the forecast year
• The water-based was the largest segment and was valued at USD 814.01 million in 2018. 
• The report offers a comprehensive examination of the escalating demand for oil and natural gas, alongside a growing market for sustainable onshore drilling fluids. It delves into the factors propelling this expansion, such as increasing industrialization. Furthermore, it discusses the impact of strict government regulations on the industry. This analysis provides crucial insights into the evolving dynamics of the energy sector.

For More Highlights About this Report, Download Free Sample in a Minute 

Market Trends 

The rise in demand for sustainable onshore drilling fluids is an emerging trend shaping market growth. This shift is being driven by a convergence of factors that are indicative of the broader oil and gas industry's commitment to environmental sustainability. Stringent environmental regulations compel market vendors to develop mining fluid formulations that meet or exceed regulatory standards, thereby reducing the environmental impact of piercing operations.  US onshore drilling fluid market players are investing in R&D to develop digging fluid formulations that are both effective in borehole management and environment-friendly. This includes the use of biodegradable additives with reduced toxicity and water-based solutions. The principles of a circular economy, which emphasize waste reduction and material reuse, are increasingly being incorporated into the development of sustainable hydraulic fluids.

For instance, Baker Hughes Co. offers the AQUA-DRILL and PERFLEX high-performance, water-based perforating fluid system, which provides a flexible, environment-friendly solution for piercing reactive shales. As the global energy landscape shifts toward cleaner and more sustainable practices, the use of environment-friendly onshore hydraulic fluids not only helps improve the oil and gas industry image but also aligns with economic interests by emphasizing cost-efficiency and performance. These factors will propel the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Market Largest-Growing Segments 

The market encompasses a diverse range of factors crucial to its operation. This includes the utilization of oil-based drilling fluids and invert-emulsion, alongside various base oils such as diesel oil and mineral oil. Factors like good frictions, high temperature, and pressure, as well as water-wet rocks and capillary pressure, influence the effectiveness of piercing operations. Additionally, considerations must be made for wellbore gases like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The market also faces competition from chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing activities, particularly in accessing shale gas reserves and tight gas reserves.

Water-based Segment 

The water-based segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Water-based onshore piercing fluids are a type of piercing mud that primarily comprises water but also contains various additives and chemicals to improve perforating performance. These fluids are more demanding than oil- or synthetic-based alternatives due to a variety of reasons. Water-based hydraulic fluids are environment-friendly, making them a popular choice, especially in light of the increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Get a glance at the market contribution of various segments Download PDF Sample

Further, water-based drilling fluids are more compatible with sensitive formations, lowering the risk of damaging reservoir rock and increasing the overall efficiency of drilling operations. They also improve wellbore stability and efficiency in removing cuttings, leading to safer and more productive onshore piercing operations. Despite their advantages, water-based hydraulic fluids can be more difficult to control due to issues with viscosity, filtration, and shale inhibition. Managing these issues is critical to preventing wellbore instability and fluid loss. The demand for water-based onshore drilling fluids in the US is driven by the environmental benefits of these hydraulic fluids, their compatibility with sensitive formations, and the industry's growing emphasis on sustainability. Halliburton, Schlumberger, and Baker Hughes are vendors of high-quality water-based piercing fluid solutions. These factors will propel the growth of the water-based segment of the market during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics and Customer Landscape

The market is driven by the increasing demand for oil-based drilling fluids and the growth of hydraulic fracturing activities in shale oil & gas reserves. Key trends include the adoption of invert-emulsion fluids and base oils, particularly diesel and mineral oils. Additionally, oilwell spacer fluids are crucial in mitigating challenges such as high temperature and pressure conditions, water-wet rocks affecting well frictions, and the presence of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in wellbore gases. However, competition from alternative piercing fluid chemicals adds complexity to the market landscape. Our researchers analyzed the market research and growth data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key market growth analysis, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage. 

Key Drivers of the Market

Growth in demand for oil and natural gas is notably driving market growth. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that global liquid fuel consumption will rise by 1.4 million b/d by the end of 2024 and 1.3 million b/d by 2025. The majority of the expected growth in liquid fuel demand is in non-OECD Asian countries, led by China and India, where consumption will increase by 0.6 million b/d at the end of 2024 and by 0.5 million b/d in 2025. In the OECD countries, liquid fuel consumption is expected to remain relatively flat in 2024 and 2025. As the demand for oil and gas grows, there is a need to explore and develop new oil and gas reservoirs in the US.

Moreover, as exploration and production companies strive to extract hydrocarbons more efficiently, the demand for advanced drilling and completion fluids increases. Innovative drilling and completion fluid formulations are being developed to address the challenges of drilling and completion operations in various types of geological formations, including those with HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) conditions. Thus, the rising demand for oil and gas will increase drilling activities in onshore locations, driving the growth of the market. The growth in demand for oil and natural gas fuels increased onshore drilling and completion fluid activity in the US. This, in turn, propels the demand during the forecast period.

Significance Challenges of Market

Stringent government regulations are an emerging trend shaping market growth. Drilling, well intervention, well completion, and production activities are all part of the oil and gas drilling process. Certain oil well completion activities, such as hydraulic fracturing and acidizing, hurt the surrounding environment. Some of the environmental impacts of crude oil drilling and production include the migration of natural gas and well-completion chemicals to the surface, degradation of air quality, and groundwater contamination. Companies must comply with environmental regulations while undertaking piercing and production operations, and these regulations are particularly stringent in environmentally sensitive regions.

Moreover, following the Deepwater Horizon incident in April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, the US federal government enacted some stringent regulations related to petroleum exploration. These rules established third-party verification of drilling equipment and improved real-time monitoring of operations. However, such changes in regulations put massive pressure on the operations of offshore and onshore piercing service companies, which will negatively impact the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Market Customer Landscape

The market forecasting research report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth and forecasting strategies.

Customer Landscape

Major Market Companies

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

Active Minerals International LLC - The company offers onshore drilling fluids such as Florigel HY, which is a high-performance attapulgite clay viscosifier used for drilling fluid applications.

The research report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 20 market companies, including:

• Baker Hughes Co.
• CES Energy Solutions Corp.
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC
• Diversity Technologies Corp.
• Economy Polymers and Chemicals
• FDF Energy
• Global Drilling Fluids and Chemicals Ltd.
• Gumpro Drilling Fluids
• Halliburton Co.
• HMC Fluids and Engineering
• Imdex Ltd.
• Impact Fluid Solutions
• MATRIX Construction Products LLC
• Newpark Resources Inc.
• NOV Inc.
• Quaker Chemical Corp.
• Schlumberger Ltd.
• SUPREME DRILLING FLUID CHEMICALS
• Weatherford International Plc

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Segment Overview

The market report forecasts market growth by revenue and provides an analysis of the latest trends and growth opportunities from 2018 to 2028. 

• Product Type Outlook 
  • Water-based
  • Oil-based
  • Synthetic-based

• Method Outlook
  • HPHT
  • Conventional

• Type Outlook
  • Permian
  • Eagle Ford
  • Niobrara
  • Others

Market Analyst Overview 

The market is integral to the oil and gas sector, powering operations in both onshore and offshore drilling economies. Industrial equipment, crucial for such operations, relies on effective hydraulic fluids to maintain lubricant life and ensure optimal performance in power plants and transportation sectors. Urbanization and lifestyle changes drive investments and consumer expenditure in drilling oil chemicals and oilfield fluids. With deep and ultra-deep waters becoming more accessible, the demand for oil-based fluids in high-depth zones rises, alongside competition chemicals to enhance piercing efficiency.

Further, the market offers three types of drilling fluids: oil-based, water-based, and synthetic-based, each tailored to specific piercing conditions. Additives such as dispersants, rheology modifiers, and shale stabilizers optimize drilling mud desander and desilter performance, supporting various well types of operation, from oil exploration to production and transportation activities. As merger and acquisition activities shape the industry landscape, fluctuations in crude oil prices directly impact end-product prices, influencing market dynamics and strategies. The market plays a pivotal role in supporting the oil industries' production and transportation activities. pH levels and gas solubility are critical factors in formulating effective hydraulic fluids, whether synthetic-based or water-based counterparts.

In addition, to mitigate mud losses and clay inhibition, additives like thinners, fluid loss control additives, and protective chemicals are utilized. Achieving optimal rate of penetration (ROP) and managing pore pressure during cement jobs are essential for successful operations. As the International Energy Agency (IEA) monitors global energy trends, coal and gasoline remain significant energy sources. Understanding the geology of basins guides such activities, ensuring efficiency and safety in onshore operations.

Download PDF Sample

What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the market between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the market  size and its contribution of the market in focus to the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market across US
• Thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market companies

We can help! Our analysts can customize this market research report to meet your requirements. 

Get in touch