Market Trends of North America Compressor Oil Industry
Increasing Investments in the Oil and Gas Industry
- Compressors in the oil and gas industry are primarily used for collecting, pressurizing, and pushing the oil or gas through the refining process or distribution system. These compressors are mainly located in ships and drilling fields, in chemical and process plants, and also in pipes that make up the distribution network. Compressor oil is required to reduce the friction between the moving parts and for the optimum efficiency of the process.
- The increasing number of refinery projects due to increasing private investments is anticipated to be a crucial driver for compressor oil in North America. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, the United States crude oil production is expected to average 12.4 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2023 and 12.8 million barrels per day in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 12.3 million barrels per day set in 2019. In 2022, United States crude oil production averaged 11.9 million barrels per day. The increasing production is an indication of the increasing operations in the refineries, which require efficient equipment and related products, thus supporting the demand for the market studied.
- Refiners in the United States are undertaking several capital projects to expand domestic crude processing capacity. Three of the largest refiners based in the United States are currently working on capital projects that could provide an additional 0.35 million barrels per day of crude processing capacity to the country's refinery portfolios by the end of 2024.
- In March 2023, Exxon Mobil Corporation announced the commencement of its Beaumont refinery expansion project. This has added 0.25 million barrels per day of capacity to one of the largest refining and petrochemical complexes along the Gulf Coast of the United States. With this, the overall capacity has increased to over 0.63 million barrels per day. This is the largest refinery expansion in the United States since 2012.
- In Canada, various gas projects are currently picking up pace in the country, which is expected to support the demand for the market studied. In August 2022, Canadian natural gas company TC Energy strategically entered into a partnership with Mexico's state-owned utility ComisiónFederal de Electricidad(CFE) to develop a CAD 4.5 billion (USD 3.3 billion) natural gas pipeline. The two companies have made a final investment decision to proceed with the construction of the 715 km offshore Southway Gateway pipeline project. The Southeast Gateway pipeline is aimed to supply natural gas to the central and southeastern regions of Mexico. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
- However, in December 2022, the Canadian government approved an expansion of TC Energy's NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd (NGTL) pipeline system in Alberta to help improve market access for natural gas in western Canada. The West Path Delivery 2023 (WP2023) project will add approximately 40 kilometers of new natural gas pipeline to the existing 25,000 kilometers of NGTL system that carries gas to markets across Canada and the United States.
- All these factors are anticipated to aid the growth of the compressor oil market in the North American region.
United States to Dominate the Compressor Oil Market in North America
- Compressors are used in various processes in the chemicals and petrochemical industry from petrochemical synthesis to material handling. Significant and even continuous use of compressors in certain cases requires compressor oil for the desired functioning and for avoiding wear and tear in any parts. Thus, the performance of the chemical and petrochemical industry substantially impacts the demand for compressor oils.
- The United States has a strong chemical industry owing to the vivid infrastructure that has been established in line with the continuous demand for chemicals. The access to abundant feedstock and energy resources further works in favor of the industry.
- As per the Chemical Industry Outlook by BASF SE for the year 2022, the United States chemical industry output witnessed a growth of 2.3%, which is also indicative of the increase in demand for products utilized in the sector, including compressor oil.
- There are several large-scale chemical projects planned in the country, which are expected to contribute positively to the demand for compressor oil. For instance, in July 2022, Solvay announced plans to build a new facility for producing electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide in Arizona. The construction of the first phase of the facility is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2023.
- In the mining industry, compressors are used for a variety of operations, such as ventilation systems, material conveyors, pneumatic tools, and others. Hence, compressor oil is required in the industry to ensure the proper working of compressors in these operations.
- The United States ranks among the world's largest producers and consumers of minerals and metals. Mined materials are essential to consumer and industrial technologies and play a critical role in shaping America's national security.
- As per the United States Census Bureau, revenue in mining and quarrying amounted to USD 14.39 billion in 2022, as compared to USD 13.68 billion in 2021. The revenue from this sector is projected to amount to USD 15.25 billion in 2023. Consistent increase in revenue from the industry is indicative of the positive growth which is expected to be impacting the compressor oil market positively.
- All these mentioned factors are expected to keep the United States ahead of other North American countries in the compressor oil market.