Global Pipeline Transportation Market 2024-2031

Global Pipeline Transportation Market 2024-2031

Pipeline Transportation Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Type (Transmission Pipeline, Distribution Pipeline, and Gathering Pipeline), by Solution (Automation and Control, Security Solutions, Integrity and Tracking Solution, and Network Communication Solution), by Service (Maintenance & Support Services, Managed Services, and Consulting Services), and by Application (Oil & Gas, Water, and Coal) Forecast Period (2024-2031)

The pipeline transportation market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period (2024-2031). Pipeline transportation is the core of the global supply of oil, natural gas, and other commodities between nations that comprise a complex network of pipelines and supportive equipment. The market growth is expected to be driven by increasing demand for energy, and the expansion of oil and gas exploration activities. The development of natural gas infrastructure, rising investment in pipeline projects, and advancements in pipeline transportation technology solutions are other contributors to the global market growth.

Market Dynamics

Increasing Demand for Energy

The growth in the pipeline transportation market is instigated by the growing demand for energy, particularly from emerging countries such as India, which are highly dependent on oil imports for running industries, automotive, and the consumer sector (LPG). Further, the recent disruptions in the pipeline supply chain owing to geopolitical tension have stimulated countries to develop newer pipeline networks for uninterrupted supply, creating scope for investment in maintaining, monitoring, and upgrading pipeline transportation networks. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the increase in global oil production capacity, spearheaded by the US and other producers in the Americas, is likely to exceed demand growth over the 2023–2030 forecast period, inflating the world's spare capacity cushion to unprecedented levels (excluding the COVID-19 period). By 2030, total supply capacity will increase by 6 million barrels per day (mb/d) to roughly 113.8 mb/d, which is 8 mb/d more than the predicted world demand of 105.4 mb/d.

Development of Alternative Pipeline Utilities

As global consortiums and panels emphasized reducing the consumption of natural gas in the economy, major players in the pipeline transportation market are looking to utilize current networks to develop supplies of alternative liquids or resources such as hydrogen, and carbon dioxide among others. The move is expected to prevent the pipeline transportation industry from remaining relevant in modern-day resource supply while continuing its growth trajectory. For instance, in January 2024, HH2E and Gascade announced a pipeline grid connection agreement for hydrogen, marking a significant milestone for Germany's green hydrogen economy as GASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE) confirmed the grid connection of HH2E's green hydrogen production site in Lubmin on the German Baltic coast to the European Gas Pipeline Link (EUGAL Lines 1 and 2). HH2E plans to begin producing green hydrogen in Lubmin by the end of 2025, with the capability of blending green hydrogen set to significantly contribute to the replacement of natural gas and promotion.

Segmental Outlook

Based on type, the market is segmented into transmission pipelines, distribution pipelines, and gathering pipelines.

Based on the solution, the market is segmented into automation and control, security solutions, integrity and tracking solutions, and network communication solutions.

Based on service, the market is segmented into maintenance & support services, managed services, and consulting services.

Based on application, the market is segmented into oil & gas, water, and coal.

Maintenance & Support Services is the Most Prominent Pipeline Service Type

Maintenance and support services are the most demanded services in the pipeline transportation market owing to regulatory requirements, aging pipeline infrastructure, security and economic reasons, and the expansion of pipeline infrastructure. In February 2024, Bilfinger received a large-scale maintenance contract that consisted of safeguarding the reliability of the vital Forties Pipeline System (FPS) in the North Sea. Bilfinger will offer access, insulation, coating, and fireproofing services for projects, as well as maintenance for the 169-kilometer pipeline system's onshore and offshore facilities.

Oil & Gas are Expected to Hold a Considerable Share in Applications



Oil & gas remained a dominant application for pipeline transportation owing to low transportation costs, increasing demand for oil and gas transport between countries, high standards for safe and reliable transport, and a decrease in global oil prices, among others. For instance, according to the Global Oil Infrastructure Tracker (GOIT), approximately 69,700 kilometers (km) of gas transmission pipelines are under construction globally, an 18.0% increase over the previous year, for $193.9 billion.

Regional Outlook

The global pipeline transportation market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).

North America Holds Significant Market Share in Pipeline Transportation Market

North America is expected to dominate the pipeline transportation market owing to increasing investment in pipeline infrastructure, the presence of major oil producing and exporting countries in the region, the presence of major solutions and service providers such as ABB, and Emerson, among others, substantial investment by state-run organization to promote alternative use of pipeline infrastructure, growing domestic demand for oil & natural gas. For instance, in June 2024, The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the US Department of Transportation is seeking grant proposals totaling almost $200.0 million as part of a groundbreaking initiative launched by President Biden's historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021. The Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) funding program seeks to reduce safety concerns and methane emissions from high-risk, leak-prone older natural gas distribution pipelines.

Asia-Pacific is the Fastest Growing in Global Pipeline Transportation Market

Asia-Pacific region is one of the biggest importers of oil & natural gas globally, creating ample scope for growth. For instance, as per Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker, Asia leads the world in pipeline construction, accounting for 82.0% at an estimated cost of $117.2 billion, with China and India responsible for 65.0% of global construction.

The regional countries, especially India and China are constantly investing in developing new pipeline networks to fulfill energy security, and demand goals.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies serving the global pipeline transportation market include ABB Group, Emerson Electric Co., John Wood Group PLC, Schneider Electric, and Siemens AG among others. The market players are focusing on capitalizing on growth by adopting strategies such as collaboration, partnerships, and market expansion among others. For instance, in May 2023, ONEOK, Inc. and Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement in which ONEOK will acquire all outstanding Magellan units in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $18.8 billion, including assumed debt, resulting in a combined company with a total enterprise value of $60.0 billion.