Market Trends of Intelligent Pigging Industry
Caliper Pigging Segment to Witness Significant Growth
- Caliper pigs are designed to measure the internal diameter of pipelines accurately. They provide detailed information about the pipeline's geometry, including variations in diameter, ovality, and dents or deformations. This comprehensive inspection capability is essential for assessing pipelines' integrity and flow capacity.
- Caliper pigging plays a crucial role in pipeline integrity management. Detecting anomalies such as corrosion, scale buildup, or physical damage helps operators identify areas of concern that require further inspection or maintenance. The ability of caliper pigs to accurately measure wall thickness is particularly valuable for assessing the level of corrosion or erosion in pipelines.
- Caliper pigs can be used in various types of pipelines, including oil, gas, water, and refined product pipelines. Their versatility and ability to adapt to different pipeline sizes and configurations make them a preferred choice for pipeline inspection across different industries.
- With the increasing pipeline length globally, the requirement for Caliper Pigging is expected to increase significantly. For instance, as of May 2023, around 21,900 Km of pipelines are under the proposed stage, while more than 9000 KM are under the construction stage.
- For instance, in September 2022, EUROPIPE, located in Germany, was awarded North American TC Energy (TCE) a contract to supply pipe for the Southeast Gateway Pipeline project in the Gulf of Mexico. TCE is constructing the USD 4.5 billion offshore gas pipeline with the Mexican state-owned power utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE).
- Therefore, as per the above points, Caliper Pigging is expected to play a significant role during the forecasted period.
North America to Dominate the Market
- The North American region has witnessed significant growth in oil and gas production in recent years, which, in turn, has led to increasing investments in pipeline infrastructure to transfer the produced fossil fuels.
- Moreover, North America has stringent regulations to ensure the integrity and safety of pipeline infrastructure. Regulatory bodies, such as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the United States and the National Energy Board (NEB) in Canada, mandate regular inspections and maintenance of pipelines. Compliance with these regulations drives the adoption of intelligent pigging technologies.
- Many pipelines in North America have been in operation for several decades and require regular inspection and maintenance due to aging. Intelligent pigging provides an effective method to assess the condition of these pipelines, identify potential issues, and prioritize maintenance activities.
- For instance, in February 2023, Kinder Morgan announced that repair work had been completed on a pipeline, and it resumed operations after a leak was detected a few days prior. The pipeline in question is a California gasoline pipeline that supplies unleaded and diesel fuel to storage facilities in southern Nevada.
- Additionally, North America is at the forefront of technological advancements in intelligent pigging. The region has been a hub for innovation, with companies investing in research and development to enhance the capabilities of intelligent pigging technologies. These advancements attract customers globally and contribute to North America's dominance in the market.
- Therefore, per the above points, the North American region is expected to dominate the Intelligent Pigging Market during the forecasted period.