Composites in the Oil and Gas Market By Resin Type (Epoxy, Vinyl Ester, Polyester, Phenolic); By Fiber Type (Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber, Aramid); By Application (Pipes & Tubing, Offshore Platforms, Tanks & Vessels, Risers & Cladding, Repair & Retrofitting); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Composites In The Oil And Gas Market is estimated to reach a value of $2.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $4.1 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period, according to Strategic Market Research.

 

This segment has evolved from niche applications into a core enabler of performance, especially in upstream and midstream operations. Over the last decade, oil and gas producers have begun replacing traditional materials like steel and aluminum with composite alternatives — particularly where corrosion resistance, weight reduction, and fatigue tolerance are non-negotiable.

 

The strategic context for composites in this space is tied directly to aging infrastructure, deepwater exploration, and a widening focus on sustainability. From riser systems and piping networks to offshore platforms and tanks, composites are gaining ground wherever environmental extremes intersect with long lifecycle expectations.

 

What’s changed recently? Two things:

• First, regulatory and environmental scrutiny is intensifying. Operators are being held to tighter standards on emissions, safety, and material longevity — and composites are often the only cost-feasible option to meet those metrics over a 20– 30 year operational window.

• Second, the production of advanced thermoplastic and thermoset composites has scaled up. This has pushed prices down and unlocked new design capabilities for OEMs building high-performance structures in high-pressure zones, like subsea manifolds and onshore gas gathering systems.

 

The stakeholder ecosystem is also shifting. Oilfield services companies, platform designers, and composite suppliers are forming closer engineering partnerships. Global EPCs (engineering, procurement, and construction firms) are actively specifying composite solutions in large-scale tenders — especially in the Middle East, North Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.

 

Investors, too, are getting behind composite adoption as part of decarbonization strategies. With life extension projects on the rise — particularly in mature offshore assets — replacing corroded steel with non-metallic composite systems has become a compelling retrofit move, both technically and financially.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The composites in the oil and gas market can be segmented across four key dimensions — by resin type, by fiber type, by application, and by geography. Each reflects how different parts of the value chain are adopting composite technologies to solve for durability, corrosion, weight, and lifecycle cost.

By Resin Type

Composite performance depends heavily on the resin matrix used to bind the fibers. The most common include epoxy, polyester, phenolic, and vinyl ester resins.

• Among these, epoxy-based composites dominate the high-performance end of the market due to their mechanical strength and resistance to chemicals.

• That said, vinyl ester composites are growing fast, especially in offshore platforms and onshore pipelines, where operators want a balance between cost and corrosion resistance.

In sour gas environments where H2S exposure is high, vinyl ester is often the go-to.

 

By Fiber Type

Composites used in oil and gas are reinforced primarily with glass fiber, carbon fiber, and, in niche cases, aramid.

• Glass fiber composites lead the market by volume — they’re cost-effective and offer sufficient strength for many pipe, tank, and casing applications.

• However, carbon fiber composites are gaining traction for weight-sensitive subsea components and high-pressure environments.

• They're also used in deepwater riser systems where metal fatigue is a concern.

The fiber mix is becoming more strategic. OEMs often combine carbon and glass in hybrid configurations to meet specific flexural, thermal, and tensile demands.

 

By Application

This is where the story gets interesting. Composites are being deployed across:

• Pipes and Tubing (flowlines, downhole tubing, gathering systems)

• Offshore Platforms (gratings, handrails, ladders, walkways)

• Tanks and Vessels (storage for chemicals, produced water, and hydrocarbons)

• Risers and Cladding (deepwater riser systems, subsea insulation)

• Repair and Retrofitting (wrapping degraded steel for life extension)

Composite pipes alone accounted for over 36% of the market share in 2024. They’ve become essential in areas where metal pipes would corrode in just a few years — especially for saltwater injection, acidic flowlines, and chemical transport.

What’s growing fastest? Subsea risers and composite-based retrofitting solutions. The demand is coming from operators extending asset life without full replacement of infrastructure.

 

By Region

Composite adoption patterns vary widely by geography:

• North America: Early adopter, driven by shale boom and pipeline replacement.

• Middle East & Africa: High growth, particularly in sour gas projects where composite pipes are preferred over steel.

• Europe: Focused on offshore platform refurbishments in the North Sea.

• Asia Pacific: Emerging demand in deepwater fields off India, Malaysia, and Australia.

• Latin America: Brazil is investing in subsea composite risers for its pre-salt reserves.

It’s worth noting that the Middle East is becoming the most aggressive in composite adoption — particularly for large-diameter pipelines and desert surface lines where steel fatigue and rust are common.

Scope-wise, the market will continue to expand in depth (more use cases) and width (more global penetration). Forecasts from 2024 to 2030 include detailed revenue estimations across each segment and sub-segment, using 2023 as the base year. All projections are modeled in USD millions with CAGR profiles for each segment.

Vendors now aren’t just selling materials — they’re selling engineered systems designed for composite-first workflows, which is a major shift from the retrofit thinking of just five years ago.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The composites in oil and gas market is being redefined by a steady stream of innovation — not just in materials, but in how those materials are engineered, installed, and maintained in extreme environments. What used to be a durability solution is now driving design innovation, lifecycle optimization, and digital integration.

Composite Pipes Are Going Smarter and Stronger

Composite piping systems have evolved well beyond corrosion prevention. Today, we’re seeing smart composite pipelines embedded with fiber optic sensors for real-time monitoring of pressure, temperature, and structural health.

Imagine a buried flowline in the Middle East desert that can alert operators to stress anomalies before a rupture occurs — that’s what new-generation pipes can do.

At the same time, manufacturers are developing higher-pressure, larger-diameter pipe systems using hybrid carbon-glass designs. These are opening up new frontiers in offshore and sour gas applications, where traditional steel grades can’t keep up.

 

Thermoplastic Composites Are Making a Comeback

Thermosets like epoxy and vinyl ester have long dominated oilfield applications. But there’s growing interest in thermoplastic composites due to their recyclability, weldability, and faster processing times.

One standout application? Flexible thermoplastic composite pipes (TCPs) — especially in deepwater flowlines where dynamic fatigue, flexibility, and chemical resistance are critical. Multiple oil majors have now greenlit TCP pilots in Africa and Brazil, targeting long-term subsea installations.

 

Modular Composite Structures Are Reshaping Platforms

Offshore topsides and platform decks are starting to use modular composite components for non-load-bearing elements like handrails, stairs, walkways, and enclosures. These pre-fabricated parts are 70–80% lighter than steel, easier to transport, and require no painting or corrosion inspection.

Operators in the Gulf of Mexico are already integrating composite panels into life-extension projects, saving weeks of installation time and cutting helideck weight by over 30%.

This isn't just an innovation story — it's a logistics story. Fewer welds, fewer labor hours, and zero rust inspection.

 

Coatings, Wraps, and Retrofits Go High-Tech

Composite wraps and reinforcement systems used for pipeline repair are getting smarter. New epoxy-impregnated fiber wraps are being deployed with AI-assisted strain prediction models that calculate wrap thickness and configuration based on pipeline geometry and defect size.

Also emerging: robotic composite wrap installers — currently being piloted in subsea repair projects where human divers are risky and expensive. These systems are expected to reduce repair time by 40% and enable precision layering even at 300 meters depth.

 

Strategic Partnerships Are Fueling Material Breakthroughs

Several OEMs and oilfield service providers are forming joint R&D partnerships with academic institutions and chemical firms to create next-gen composite resins tailored for oil and gas chemistry. For instance, we’re seeing work on nano-modified epoxy systems that self-heal microcracks or maintain strength at 180°C+.

These aren’t hypothetical — field trials are underway in Kuwait and the North Sea with encouraging results.

The innovation pipeline here isn’t linear. It’s iterative — with each offshore incident, corrosion failure, or deepwater delay pushing operators to ask: What if this had been composite from day one?

That mindset shift is what’s fueling the next wave of design — where composites aren’t a repair patch, but the default starting point for critical oilfield infrastructure.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The competitive landscape for composites in the oil and gas sector is relatively focused but strategically diverse. Unlike commodity materials, composites require a blend of material science, application expertise, and close engagement with operators. That means the top players aren't just resin or fiber suppliers — they’re full-system solution providers.

Solvay

Solvay is one of the few global players offering a full portfolio of high-performance thermoset and thermoplastic composite resins for oil and gas. Their epoxy systems are widely used in structural reinforcements, while their PVDF- and PEEK-based thermoplastics are gaining ground in subsea applications.

They’ve established co-development partnerships with major offshore EPCs in Brazil and West Africa to develop pressure-resistant composites for flexible risers. Solvay’s edge lies in chemical durability — their materials are tested against a wide spectrum of hydrocarbons and production fluids.

 

TechnipFMC

More than a service provider, TechnipFMC is a major integrator of composite pipe systems, especially flexible risers and subsea flowlines. Through its integrated engineering services, the company has pioneered the use of composite pipes in deepwater projects in Angola and Brazil.

They’re also investing in automated spoolbase production — reducing manual labor during composite pipe assembly and expanding the use of hybrid fiber configurations for specific depth ratings.

 

National Oilwell Varco (NOV)

NOV’s composite pipe division is a market leader, particularly for onshore saltwater disposal lines and downhole tubing. Their Fiber Glass Systems business unit has a wide install base across North America, the Middle East, and Latin America.

NOV offers fully certified systems for API 15HR and ISO 14692 standards, and their distribution reach makes them a preferred partner for mid-sized operators looking for scalable, compliant solutions.

Their strength? Reliability at scale — especially in regions with long pipeline networks and minimal maintenance access.

 

Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes operates more selectively in the composites space but has made big strides in pipeline rehabilitation and non-metallic repair systems. Their composite wrap technologies are widely used for corrosion repair and reinforcement of high-pressure lines, particularly in remote and offshore areas.

They’ve also developed robotic application systems for composite-based wrap installations, a move designed to reduce diver-based labor in subsea settings. Their solutions are tuned toward operators looking to extend life rather than replace infrastructure.

 

Future Pipe Industries (FPI)

A dominant regional player in the Middle East, FPI is one of the largest producers of glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipes for oilfield applications. Their systems are heavily used in water injection lines, chemical service, and produced water systems.

Their regional manufacturing footprint and ability to customize pipe diameters, lengths, and jointing systems give them a cost and delivery edge — especially in high-volume EPC contracts in the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

 

Shawcor

Shawcor plays a hybrid role — offering both composite materials and application engineering services, especially for pipeline integrity. Their composite solutions are used extensively for wrapping corroded steel lines and restoring structural integrity in aging pipelines.

Their EnShield and FlexPipe systems are gaining traction in North America for sour gas service and lightweight, rapid-installation alternatives to traditional steel.

 

At a glance, here’s how the competitive matrix is shaping up:

• Solvay and TechnipFMC lead in material science and subsea systems.

• NOV and FPI dominate in midstream and surface-level applications.

• Baker Hughes and Shawcor specialize in maintenance, retrofits, and pipeline rehab.

• Differentiators are shifting: it’s no longer just about tensile strength — it’s about certification support, ease of installation, and performance in complex fluid chemistries.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

The adoption of composites in the oil and gas sector doesn’t follow a uniform curve — it’s highly dependent on infrastructure maturity, corrosion exposure, and operator mindset. In some regions, composites are already embedded into design standards. In others, they’re still viewed as specialty materials. Let’s break down where and why adoption is accelerating — or stalling.

North America

North America remains a core market for composite adoption, especially in upstream and midstream applications. The U.S. shale boom led to massive expansion of pipeline networks — many of which now require corrosion-resistant alternatives as they age.

Composite pipes, downhole tubing, and wraps are widely used in:

• Saltwater disposal systems in Texas and New Mexico

• Chemical transport lines across the Permian and Eagle Ford

• Flowline rehabilitation projects in Canada’s heavy oil fields

Another factor? Labor costs. U.S. operators are increasingly opting for modular composite components that cut field labor, reduce welding, and shrink installation timelines. Regulatory pressure around methane leaks and environmental compliance is also accelerating retrofits using composite liners and patching systems.

In short, this market doesn’t need to be convinced — it needs to scale safely.

 

Middle East and Africa

This is arguably the fastest-growing region for composites in oil and gas. From sour gas fields in Saudi Arabia to water injection lines in the UAE and Oman, operators are moving quickly to deploy GRE and carbon-reinforced pipes in place of corrodible metals.

Composite adoption is driven by:

• Extreme heat, sand, and pressure conditions that shorten steel lifecycles

• National oil companies (NOCs) mandating longer service intervals and non-metallic solutions

• Local manufacturing incentives that make regional composite production cost-effective

In Africa, we’re seeing growth in pipeline repair and composite wrap installations, especially in Nigeria and Angola. These are often deployed through public-private partnerships or NGO-funded infrastructure stabilization projects.

Also important: Gulf-based EPCs are beginning to specify composites as standard, not exception. That will shift the procurement behavior across the region for years to come.

 

Europe

Europe’s adoption curve is more strategic and centered around platform refurbishment and decarbonization targets. In the North Sea, composite gratings, handrails, and pipe wraps are being used to extend the lifespan of aging offshore assets.

Operators are increasingly drawn to:

• Lightweight composite decking systems that reduce topside load

• Composite riser coatings that offer enhanced thermal insulation

• High-pressure composite vessels for offshore chemical storage

In Eastern Europe, adoption is slower — limited by budget constraints and lack of technical familiarity. However, EU-backed innovation grants are supporting pilot projects, especially in offshore hydrogen and carbon capture, where composites may play a future role.

 

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is a mixed bag — with high-growth demand in deepwater and coastal installations, but inconsistent infrastructure readiness.

• Countries like India, China, Malaysia, and Australia are actively deploying composite flowlines and riser systems in offshore fields.

• Operators are facing familiar challenges: acidic flow, H2S exposure, and logistical complexity.

• Composite systems offer a way to streamline installation and extend field life.

Meanwhile, the domestic composite manufacturing base is expanding. For instance, Chinese firms are now offering full GRE pipe solutions that comply with international standards — a shift from earlier years where reliance on imports slowed adoption.

That said, training gaps persist. Many local operators are still learning how to install, inspect, and maintain composite systems, which limits deployment to high-value projects or those led by multinational EPCs.

 

Latin America

Adoption is relatively concentrated, but growing steadily.

• Brazil is at the forefront, particularly in subsea composite risers and flexible flowlines for its pre-salt fields.

• Other countries like Colombia and Argentina are exploring composite wraps and repair systems for aging pipelines — often as a stopgap before full system upgrades.

Regional growth is capped by economic volatility and budget constraints, but public oil companies are open to composite investments where the case for reduced maintenance and downtime is clear.

 

Here’s the reality: composite adoption is no longer about if, but where next.

• North America focuses on cost savings and reliability.

• Middle East is scaling fast, especially in harsh and sour environments.

• Europe is innovation-driven and regulatory-compliant.

• Asia Pacific is building capacity but needs technical scale-up.

• Latin America is cherry-picking use cases with high ROI.

In most regions, the bottleneck isn’t demand — it’s training, certification, and procurement alignment. That’s what will determine who leads in the next 5 years.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

In the composites oil and gas market, end users are looking beyond just corrosion resistance. They’re making procurement decisions based on lifespan value, safety, ease of installation, and even downtime economics. That’s shifted the conversation — from raw materials to performance ecosystems. Here’s how the key user types are engaging with composite technologies, and what’s influencing their priorities.

Upstream Operators

This is where composite adoption has seen the most dramatic rise. E&P companies are using composites in:

• Flowlines for produced water and gas transport

• Downhole tubulars in highly corrosive formations

• Chemical injection lines exposed to acids and CO2

Their key driver? Asset life extension without productivity loss. As operators push older fields harder — especially in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico — replacing failing steel components with composite alternatives lets them extend well life without major shutdowns.

That’s particularly true in sour gas fields, where steel degradation is rapid and catastrophic failure is a real risk.

An offshore operator in Norway retrofitted a 22 km injection line with GRE composite piping after two steel failures in under four years. Since the switch, maintenance calls dropped by 80%.

 

Midstream Pipeline Companies

These users manage vast pipeline networks where small corrosion points can escalate into regulatory and environmental crises. Composite materials here are used for:

• Trenchless pipeline rehabilitation

• Wrapping degraded steel lines

• Saltwater and brine transport

The appeal for midstream players? Composite retrofits don’t require full system shutdown. Many wraps and liners can be applied in-situ, often in under 24 hours. That’s especially valuable in rural or politically sensitive areas, where pipeline downtime can cause major supply disruptions.

We’re also seeing growing use of sensor-enabled composite coatings, which allow pipeline owners to monitor stress and damage in real time.

 

Offshore Platform Owners and EPCs

For platform operators and engineering firms, composites provide serious logistical and structural advantages:

• Modular walkways, grating, staircases

• Lightweight chemical tanks and pressure vessels

• Thermally insulated pipe cladding

The selling point here is weight. Every kilogram saved in offshore topside structures adds margin back into design flexibility or cargo capacity. On some platforms, replacing metal stairs and walkways with composite alternatives has reduced deck weight by up to 15%, freeing capacity for heavier equipment elsewhere.

Also worth noting: composites reduce labor complexity offshore. Many components are pre-fabricated, meaning less hot work and faster installations — critical in weather-sensitive offshore timelines.

 

Pipeline Maintenance and Repair Contractors

This segment is exploding. Contractors specializing in pipeline integrity services are embracing composite wrap systems, both for emergency repair and scheduled rehab projects.

These teams value:

• Ease of training and certification

• Minimal prep time

• Compatibility with irregular surfaces

Many composite wraps now come with AI-guided software that calculates exact wrap thickness and fiber orientation, simplifying field calculations. That’s bringing advanced repair capabilities to smaller contractors who traditionally wouldn’t engage in pipeline repair.

 

Use Case Highlight

A major EPC firm executing a gas pipeline project in Oman faced a challenge: the terrain involved high-salinity groundwater, extreme surface temperatures, and shifting sand that corroded traditional pipes within five years.

Instead of opting for expensive duplex stainless steel, they chose a GRE composite pipe system co-developed with a regional manufacturer. The system was prefabricated in 12-meter sections, pressure-tested on-site, and fully installed in under 3 weeks — 30% faster than steel pipe installations in similar projects.

Three years in, the pipeline has required zero maintenance and passed all pressure tests. Total lifecycle cost was 22% lower than the steel-based design.

Bottom line? Different end users have different pain points — but composites are answering them across the board:

• Upstream wants corrosion resistance and uptime.

• Midstream needs flexibility and compliance.

• Offshore players value weight reduction and modularity.

• Maintenance contractors want speed and simplicity.

The more composite systems prove themselves in real-world, high-risk applications, the more they’ll shift from alternative to standard.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Solvay announced the commercial launch of a next-gen PEEK-based thermoplastic composite in 2024, designed for deepwater risers and sour service pipelines. Field trials began with a major offshore operator in Brazil.

• TechnipFMC initiated joint development with a Middle East NOC to deploy smart composite riser systems embedded with real-time fiber optic sensors for structural health monitoring.

• NOV’s Fiber Glass Systems division expanded its manufacturing capacity in Texas, targeting GRE pipe demand in shale plays and saltwater disposal networks.

• Baker Hughes debuted a robot-assisted composite repair unit in 2023 for use in subsea pipeline rehabilitation. The pilot project was run in the Gulf of Mexico with positive early performance metrics.

• Future Pipe Industries (FPI) secured a multi-year contract in 2024 to supply GRE pipes for a water injection system in Oman’s Block 61, estimated at over 200 km of pipeline.

 

Opportunities

• Deepwater Expansion and Retrofits: Demand is rising for composite risers, flexible pipes, and deck structures in deepwater and ultra-deepwater assets, especially where aging steel infrastructure can’t meet fatigue standards.

• Non-Metallic Mandates in the Middle East: Governments and NOCs in countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE are issuing mandates to integrate non-metallics into long-term oilfield projects, opening the door for large-scale composite procurement.

• Smart Composite Systems with Embedded Sensing: The growth of digital oilfields is creating demand for pipes and structural components that come pre-installed with monitoring capabilities — a role ideally suited to composites.

 

Restraints

• High Initial Capital Costs: Composite systems often have a higher upfront cost than traditional steel, especially for larger-diameter installations — making ROI-sensitive buyers hesitant.

• Knowledge and Skills Gap: In many regions, EPC contractors and operators lack field-trained crews who understand composite handling, joining, and inspection, leading to misapplication or underuse.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 2.3 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 4.1 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 10.2% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Resin Type, By Fiber Type, By Application, By Geography
By Resin Type	Epoxy, Vinyl Ester, Polyester, Phenolic
By Fiber Type	Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber, Aramid
By Application	Pipes & Tubing, Offshore Platforms, Tanks & Vessels, Risers & Cladding, Repair & Retrofitting
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Brazil, UK, Germany, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Australia
Market Drivers	- Rising cost of steel corrosion repair in offshore and sour environments - Non-metallic mandates and standards in the Middle East - Increasing demand for smart, embedded monitoring systems in pipelines
Customization Option	Available upon request