Europe Proppants Market

Europe Proppants Market Size-(2023-2028)

Europe Proppants Market was valued at xx billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD xx billion in 2028. Growing at an xx% CAGR.

Proppants are gritty, evenly sized granules mixed with fracturing fluid during the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process to retain open earth fractures. Proppant demand has recently surged as oil, and natural gas wells are modified to generate more oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing. Proppant solutions help to boost well production capacity by delivering more oil and natural gas daily by combining innovative drilling techniques with ultra-sophisticated frac designs. The primary factor driving the market's growth is the increased demand for proppants from the oil and gas industry due to hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used in the oil and gas industry to improve the flow of oil or gas from a well. Proppants (propping agents) are put into the oil well with fracturing fluid to keep the fissures open so that crude oil or natural gas can flow up the well. Proppant is an important component of a frac job. The ability of the proppant to extract hydrocarbons from a reservoir is entirely dependent on the performance parameters of the proppant pack.

However, European governments are enacting rules to restrict hydraulic fracturing in response to mounting environmental concerns. Furthermore, the extraction of fossil fuels and renewable energy is a substantial impediment to industry growth.

Europe Proppants Market-Drivers:

The combination of horizontal drilling and multistage fracturing technology has fundamentally transformed the oil and gas production environment. Exploration and production companies are experimenting with more sand at each stage in their drilled and completed horizontals, which is expected to accelerate over time. As a result, the average sand consumption per horizontal well has tripled and is expected to rise due to longer laterals and higher loadings per lateral foot. In addition, technologies are being developed to increase the usage of natural sand/frac sand rather than ceramic sand, resulting in a strong demand for drilling proppants. 

Europe Proppants Market Restraints:

Ceramic proppants are designed products made from sintered bauxite, kaolin, magnesium silicate, or combinations of bauxite and kaolin in an energy-intensive production process. This manufacturing method is complicated because the proppants must be homogeneous in size, shape, sphericity, and roundness to increase the porosity and permeability of the proppant's bed. Ceramic proppants have stronger strength and crush resistance than frac sand and can endure closing stresses of up to 20,000 psi. Ceramic proppants are more expensive than uncoated or resin-coated proppants since they are designed products with a more complex manufacturing process. Ceramic proppants cost roughly 50% more than frac sand.

Europe Proppants Market-Opportunities:

The production of unconventional oil and gas, such as shale oil and gas, tight oil and gas, and coalbed methane, has increased due to the limited supply of conventional oil and gas and their high carbon emission level. Concerningly, local communities and environmental organizations are protesting more frequently in some nations. Even now, several nations forbid hydraulic fracking.

Europe Proppants Market Challenges:

Proppants are mostly employed in hydraulic fracturing, and water makes up 98% to 99.5% of the fracturing fluid used in this process. Companies typically use many water sources, including groundwater, rivers, lakes, industrial wastewater treatment plant discharge water, and recycled fracturing water. The water is transported to drilling sites using temporary pipelines or trucks. However, there are significant regional variations in this amount. In addition, the number of phases of fracturing that are carried out at a well also affects the outcome. Regarding water utilization in hydraulic fracturing, there are two main issues: a shortage of water for hydraulic fracturing and worries about fracturing chemicals contaminating the water supply.

Market Segmentation

Europe Proppants Market-By Product:

• Frac Sand
• Resin-Coated Proppant
• Ceramic Proppant

The frac sand sector had a market share of more than 50%, and it is anticipated that it will continue to rule the market during the projected period. High-purity quartz sand with exceptionally durable, round grains is called frac sand. They are crush-resistant, which enables the petroleum sector to employ them as fracking materials.

Europe Proppants Market-By Application:

• Shale Gas
• Tight Gas
• Coal Bed Methane

In terms of application, shale gas is anticipated to be the largest segment and to rule the market for the entire projection period. This market is anticipated to grow in the upcoming years due to the increased application of proppants. Shale gas, which includes 70 and 90 percent methane, aids in producing power and serves as a home fuel for cooking and heating.

Europe Proppants Market-By Country:

• United Kingdom

• France

• Spain

• Germany

• Italy

• Russia

• Sweden

• Denmark

• Switzerland

• Netherlands

• Rest of Europe

During the projection period, Europe is anticipated to see the quickest market growth. The main drivers of the market growth in the region are the expansion of natural gas production and an increase in the development of petroleum products.

Europe Proppants Market-Key Players:

• JSC Borovichi Refractories Plant

• MineraçaoCurimbaba

• XinmiWanli Industry Development Co., Ltd.

• S. Silica Holdings Inc.

• Hi-Crush Inc.

• HEXION

• Schlumberger Limited

• Carbo Ceramics Inc.

• COVIA

• Atlas Sand Company, Llc