The global proppants market was estimated at 47 million metric tons and worth about $ 8.4 billion in 2013. The market, driven by high crude oil prices and further improvements in fracturing technology, is expected to register a CAGR of 11%, to reach 87.1 million metric tons in 2019.
Worldwide demand for proppants has increased more than tenfold since the advent of shale gas. Proppants have provided further momentum to drilling and completion activity as a result of the spike in crude oil prices and success of early ventures in horizontal drilling. North America is a largest consumer of proppants and accounts for about 80% of the market share in 2013. The region is further expected to witness a high growth in the future, mainly due to the high growth potential of the U.S market.
China and Russia have the largest reserves in Asia-Pacific and Europe respectively. Amount of untapped shale gas reserves in Northern Africa and South America are also high. As a result of available reserves and the rise in number of new hydraulic fracturing sites, the market is expected to contribute towards a healthy growth in the near future.
The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14% during the forecast period. Improved fracturing techniques have allowed sand to be used in applications previously thought to be beyond its performance range.
Companies Mentioned:
Saint-Gobain Proppants
CARBO Ceramics
Fores
Halliburton
Baker Hughes
Santrol
Unimin Corporation
Borovichi Refractories Plant (Borprop)
Badger Mining
Hi-Crush Partners LP
Momentive Speciality Chemicals Inc.
Yixing Orient Petroleum Proppant Co. Ltd
Superior Silica Sands
Texas Silica
U.S. Silica Holdings Inc.
