Flexible Pipe Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Flexible Pipe Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 2.31 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.14 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 5.25% over the forecast period. These pipes are specialized conduits engineered with multiple layers of metallic and thermoplastic materials, serving a critical role in transporting fluids between subsea wellheads and surface facilities. Market growth is primarily driven by increasing activities in deepwater oil and gas exploration, where the inherent dynamic capabilities of flexible pipes make them essential for floating production systems. Furthermore, their economic appeal is bolstered by installation cost efficiencies relative to rigid pipelines and the logistical advantage of spooling pipes onto reels for rapid deployment, positioning them as effective solutions for field development.

However, the industry encounters significant hurdles regarding asset integrity in high-pressure environments, specifically the risk of corrosion within the annular space due to gas permeation. This technical challenge often necessitates costly material upgrades and strict monitoring protocols, which can place a strain on project budgets. Despite these complexities, the demand for subsea infrastructure remains robust; according to the 'Global Underwater Hub', in '2024', the value of the United Kingdom's underwater industry increased by 1.2 billion pounds to reach a total of 9.2 billion pounds, underscoring the resilience of the sector amidst operational difficulties.

Market Drivers

A primary catalyst for the flexible pipe sector is the significant rise in global offshore drilling activities and investments in subsea infrastructure. As energy companies extend their reach into deeper waters, the demand has intensified for versatile conduit systems capable of linking subsea wellheads to floating production units. Flexible pipes are increasingly preferred for these capital-intensive projects due to their resilience against dynamic ocean forces and their ability to facilitate rapid subsea tie-backs, offering clear logistical benefits over rigid pipeline alternatives. This upswing in industrial activity is evidenced by the strong financial results of key contractors; according to TechnipFMC, July 2024, the firm reported inbound subsea orders totaling USD 2.8 billion in the second quarter, indicating strong momentum in offshore development phases.

Simultaneously, the escalating need for corrosion-resistant solutions in harsh marine environments is propelling the adoption of advanced materials. Operators extracting hydrocarbons from reservoirs containing high levels of contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, face asset integrity risks that require pipes with specialized thermoplastic and composite layers. This demand for technically superior, corrosion-proof designs is leading to significant commercial contracts. According to Baker Hughes, October 2024, the company secured an agreement to provide 77 kilometers of flexible pipe systems designed to withstand stress-induced corrosion cracking in pre-salt fields. This emphasis on resilient infrastructure is consistent with broader market movements, as according to the International Energy Agency, in 2024, global upstream oil and gas investment was expected to reach USD 570 billion, underpinning the deployment of these high-grade technologies.

Market Challenges

The Global Flexible Pipe Market contends with a critical obstacle regarding the integrity of assets in high-pressure environments, particularly the danger of annular space corrosion resulting from permeated gases. This technical issue compels operators to direct significant capital toward premium, corrosion-resistant materials and rigorous monitoring schedules to avert failure. Such requirements substantially increase both initial capital expenditures and continuing operational costs for deepwater initiatives. Consequently, the economic feasibility of marginal fields is jeopardized, leading operators to postpone or cancel new developments that would otherwise employ flexible pipe solutions, which directly hinders market expansion.

Furthermore, the financial burden associated with these integrity management responsibilities diverts crucial funding away from new infrastructure investments. The considerable expense involved in managing the lifecycle and end-of-life stages of subsea assets highlights this constraint. According to 'Offshore Energies UK', in '2024', the projected expenditure for decommissioning offshore infrastructure amounted to 2.3 billion pounds. This substantial allocation of resources toward maintaining existing and aging assets restricts the budget available for new flexible pipe installations, effectively impeding the broader growth trajectory of the market.

Market Trends

The development of flexible pipeline solutions for hydrogen transport is rapidly transforming the market landscape as operators pursue infrastructure compatible with the global energy transition. Unlike traditional hydrocarbons, hydrogen molecules are small and highly susceptible to permeation, creating a need for specialized thermoplastic composite materials that offer technical superiority over conventional steel options. This technological advancement is transitioning from testing phases to commercial implementation, spurred by the requirements for offshore green hydrogen generation and transport. Validating this trend, according to Strohm, August 2024, the firm won a contract from TotalEnergies to provide Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) flowlines explicitly engineered to transport hydrogen and carbon dioxide for an offshore initiative in the Brazilian pre-salt basin.

Additionally, the advancement of high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) unbonded pipe designs continues to be a prevailing trend, driven by the ongoing expansion into ultra-deepwater reservoirs where environmental conditions surpass the capabilities of standard conduits. Manufacturers are designing sophisticated unbonded flexible pipes featuring reinforced armor layers and gas-shielding technologies to preserve integrity under severe hydrostatic pressure and internal fluid stress. This dedication to technically robust, high-specification assets is demonstrated by major capital investments from national energy companies. For example, according to TechnipFMC, July 2024, the company received a significant contract valued between USD 250 million and USD 500 million from Petrobras to deliver flexible pipe systems for water injection and gas lift applications in the demanding pre-salt fields offshore Brazil.

Key Players Profiled in the Flexible Pipe Market

• National Oilwell Varco
• TechnipFMC PLC
• The Prysmian Group
• GE Oil & Gas Corporation
• Shawcor Ltd.
• SoulForce
• Airborne Oil & Gas BV
• Magma Global Ltd.
• ContiTech AG
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Flexible Pipe Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Flexible Pipe Market, by Raw Material:

• High-density Polyethylene
• Polyamides
• Polyvinylidene Fluoride

Flexible Pipe Market, by Application:

• Offshore
• Onshore

Flexible Pipe Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Flexible Pipe Market.

Available Customization

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• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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