Wireline Logging Service Market Trends
The global wireline logging service market size was valued at USD 26.06 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from 2023 to 2030. Potential increases in real-time data gathering through electric tools and increased production & exploration activities globally are estimated to drive demand over the forecast period. An increase in crude oil prices is estimated to result in regress investments leading to a rise in new projects. It has also increased the pressure to extract more from each well, lowering the exploration level. Furthermore, technological developments and increased focus on natural gas production are expected to surge demand for the market over the forecast period. Surging demand for intensive R&D has led to the development of sophisticated high-end products delivered to provide control to meet process requirements and ease of use.
A potential increase in recoverable resources and completion activities within North America is expected to drive demand over the forecast period. Also, the rising production has benefited the services owing to the versatile nature and reduced profit margin from oilfield services. It has generated the need to optimize the E&P activities involving reservoir evaluation, which is the major application. Although, stringent regulations, issues associated with the environment, and increased seismic activities are expected to curb growth over the next few years.
Conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, and ultra-deepwater of new reservoirs build new challenges leading to innovative solutions to address changing technologies and business practices. For instance, Halliburton launched VisiTrak geospatial navigation and analysis LWD for combining advanced pre-well modeling and precise reservoir navigation to improve efficiency and facilitate optimal placement for increased hydrocarbon recovery.
Technology Insights
Based on technology, the industry is segmented into slickline and E-line. The E-line segment held a highest market share of 57.4% in 2022. It can be categorized under strong and heavier wirelines and uses an inner core of enclosed wires within a plait wireline for transmitting electrical signals between downhole tools and surface equipment. These services are primarily utilized for tube perforating and well-logging operations, as these operations require continuous evaluation through electric tools and can transmit data continuously to the surface.
The slickline segment is estimated to register a significant CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period. Slickline services can measure the depth of the well, well perforation, temperatures, and downhole pressures. This service is primarily used for recovering and placing the well equipment on the surface to maintain the wells' production level through logging and intervention processes.
Hole Type Insights
The cased segment dominated the wireline logging service market with a revenue share of 79.7% in 2022. It involves the evaluation of the well by deploying evaluation tools after completing the process within the well. Cased hole wireline logging enables operators to identify and address production issues, such as water or gas breakthroughs, and optimize reservoir performance. It helps locate zones of interest for potential completion, stimulation, or remedial work.
The open segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. Open hole refers to operations performed before the wellbore has been ceased and cemented. In contrast, during completion operations, a cased hole retrieves the measurements through the metal piping into the well. Open-hole operations have involved deploying electric tools into a newly drilled well through the electric line.
Regional Insights
North America accounted for the largest market share of 46.1% in 2022, owing to continuous increments in U.S. exploration and production activities. Further, favorable government regulations, unconventional hydrocarbon recovery, and growth are anticipated to be the key driving factors across this region. By 2020, over half of the natural gas produced in the U.S. will come from horizontal wells, including shale sources and tight sands.
Latin America is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 11.0% during the forecast period. Latin America has significant oil and gas reserves and is witnessing increased exploration and production activities. Wireline logging is crucial in evaluating subsurface formations, helping operators identify hydrocarbon-bearing zones, determine reservoir properties, and optimize well production. The region's growing focus on energy production drives the demand for wireline logging services.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
Heavy investments are being made in R&D to improve the technologies, and various technological advancements across well construction & resource recovery are expected to be a few key drivers for the players. Industries are anticipated to follow the trend of mergers and acquisitions to cater to the increasing demand for wireline logging services. They are more focused on developing & launching new products or services, or technologies to increase market penetration and presence globally. For instance, in August 2021, Halliburton, an oilfield services industry player, secured a contract from Sapura Energy to develop offshore wells. The two companies collaborated on an Integrated Rig Drilling Completion (i-RDC) contract, encompassing a comprehensive drilling program and completing six wells.
Key Wireline Logging Service Companies:
- Baker Hughes Company
- Casedhole Solutions, Inc.
- Expro Group
- Halliburton
- Nabors Industries Ltd.
- OiLSERV
- SLB
- Superior Energy Services.
- Weatherford
- Pioneer Energy Services Corp.
Recent Developments
In February 2023, INT joined the SLB Digital Platform Partner Program as a member, granting customers access to the IVAAP advanced data visualization platform via SLB's DELFI digital E&P platform. By integrating IVAAP applications with the OSDU Data Platform and DELFI platform, this collaboration streamlines subsurface data storage, organization, migration, and access complexities. As a result, customers gain the flexibility to leverage their data seamlessly across different applications and domains.
In July 2022, GE Gas Power, a division of General Electric, announced its acquisition of Nexus Controls from Baker Hughes. This strategic move aims to expand and strengthen GE Gas Power's lifecycle controls strategy, ultimately delivering increased customer value. The acquisition underscores the importance of controls in modern power plants, enabling operators to optimize operational strategies in response to the evolving energy transition and maximize flexibility and profitability.
In May 2022, Nexus Controls, a business unit of Baker Hughes, unveiled the Nexus OnCore Compact Control System as a strategic addition to its existing Nexus OnCore Control System portfolio. This new system is designed to deliver advanced efficiency, improved asset understanding, and operational optimization, making it an invaluable solution tailored for smaller facilities.