Flow Computer Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Type, Component, Equipment, Connectivity, Operation, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Flow Computer Market is accounted for $752.5 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach $1248.43 Million by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. A flow computer is a device equipped with advanced technology that enables it to implement algorithms using analog and digital signals received from flow meters and transmitters such as temperature, pressure, and density transmitters. Apart from this, the flow computer is also capable of auditing changes that have been made to any of the parameters required to turn the raw data into volumes. A running tally is maintained of the volume for every flow meter monitored, and a record of the same is created on an hourly, daily, batch, or monthly basis. The data captured by the computer is made available to other computers externally through an electronic interface, which enables them to download information for supervision, accounting, and auditing.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over three million miles of the pipeline connect natural gas generation areas and storage facilities with users and deliver millions of cubic feet of natural gas and hundreds of billions of tons of petroleum every year

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Technological advancements in oil & gas industry

The oil and gas sector is rapidly going digital with better operations, which is spawning the digital economy. New trends in this sector include digital transformation and automation. The deployment of a minimal crew at distant onshore and offshore exploration sites is made possible through digital transformation or automation. Due to the limited quantity of oil or gasoline and the rising number of vehicles on the market, there is an increasing need for operational digital oilfield solutions, which forces the oil sector to adopt new and enhanced technology. Systems like DCS, PLC, smart wells, and SCADA are implemented in the upstream segment to help automate the control process and provide real-time data.

Restraint:

High cost of flow computer and regular maintenance

Flow computers are renowned for offering precise and trustworthy flow measurements. They need specialized parts and manufacturing procedures to produce flow measurements that are highly accurate and trustworthy. Modern components offer more functionality and features, such as the simultaneous monitoring of several fluid parameters and diagnostic and calibration features. The price of the equipment and its upkeep go up due to these additional features and capabilities. Flow computers cease to be a feasible alternative for pipeline operators if the add-on capabilities do not provide a sufficient return on investment in the form of increased efficiency, accuracy, and lower operating costs.

Opportunity:

Growing demand for offshore/ultra-deep discoveries

The deepwater exploration and production technologies, as well as the commercial viability of the projects, are through a phase of advancement in the oil and gas business. Oil firms can now boost recovery and increase production thanks to modern developments. Different levels of automation may be present in offshore wells, ranging from straightforward one-way monitoring to intricate subsurface controls with clever completions. The Carapeba field was chosen by Petrobras as a test site. It is a mature field with three wells that is situated in the northeastern Campos Basin and has automated subsurface sensors put in the wells.

Threat:

Interoperability of multiple components from different solution providers

Companies in the upstream segment often buy and assemble components from different vendors depending on customer requirements. This makes the market highly consumer-dominated, so no standard or generalized product can be developed by a single player. In that case, interoperability with other systems and components is a challenge for upstream operators. Adding any alternative system, hardware, or software that is not compatible with some of the digital oilfield systems, such as the flow computer, becomes a constraint as it has to integrate with the existing system for optimum results seamlessly. Developments for integrating various services with each other are expected to overcome this challenge faced by oilfield operators.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a global influence on society and the economy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the oil and gas industry witnessed a slowdown in supply growth in the United States and other non-OPEC countries. The global oil demand is expected to contract in 2020, according to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA). IEA had predicted that the daily need for crude oil was likely to decrease in 2020, from 100.1 million barrels in 2019 to 91.7 million barrels in 2020, due to the economic and mobility impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which included widespread shutdowns across the world.

The hardware segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The hardware segment held the largest share in the market owing to the increasing demand of computer devices which are used at many operation locations because they perform important duties like precise flow calculations. Field-mounted and panel-mounted flow computer devices are the two main categories. While panel-mounted flow computers are installed at a workstation or centralized location from which flow monitoring and control are performed, field-mounted devices are mounted or installed on-site. The wellheads, production sites, pipeline mountings, and occasionally remote locations are installed with field-mounted flow computers.

The oil & gas segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

During the projection period, the oil & gas segment is expected to have the greatest CAGR. The oil and gas industry plays a significant role in driving the flow computer market, which encompasses the instrumentation and technology used to measure and monitor the flow of fluids such as oil, gas, and water in pipelines and process industries. Flow computers are crucial for accurate and reliable measurement of flow rates, which is essential for optimizing operations, ensuring safety, and complying with regulatory requirements in the oil and gas sector.

Region with largest share:

The North America region market is estimated to witness the highest share of the global Flow Computer market during the forecast period. In North America, the flow computer market plays a critical role in supporting the region's extensive oil and gas infrastructure. With the United States and Canada being major players in the global energy market, the demand for accurate and reliable flow measurement technologies is substantial. Flow computers are essential for monitoring and optimizing the flow of oil, natural gas, and other fluids in pipelines, refineries, and production facilities. Additionally, the region's vast and intricate network of pipelines, spanning thousands of miles, requires sophisticated flow computing solutions to ensure efficient transportation and distribution of energy resources.

Region with highest CAGR:

The Asia Pacific region is expected to have the highest growth rate over the forecast period. The region's burgeoning energy demand, rapid industrialization, and extensive infrastructure development have led to increased adoption of flow computing solutions. As countries like China, India, Japan, and Australia expand their oil and gas production and transportation capacities, the need for accurate flow measurement technologies becomes paramount. Additionally, flow computers are essential in Asia Pacific's vast network of pipelines, refineries, and petrochemical facilities, enabling precise monitoring and optimization of fluid flows. These systems provide real-time data, allowing operators to make informed decisions, improve efficiency, and minimize energy losses.

Key players in the market:

Some of the key players in Flow Computer market include: ABB Ltd., Bedrock Automation Platforms, Inc., Contrec Limited, Dynamic Flow Computers, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Flowmetrics Inc., Honeywell International, Inc., Kessler-Ellis Products (KEP) Co, Inc., Krohne Messtechnik GmbH, OMNI Flow Computers, Inc., Quorum Business Solutions, Inc., Schneider Electric, Sensia, TechnipFMC plc, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Yokogawa Electric Corporation.

Key Developments:

In January 2023, Emerson Electric Co. launched a new generation of single and dual meter run gas flow computers. They are field-mounted and explosion-proof flow computers, which offer a more practical option for remote oil & gas production sites.

In June 2022, ABB and Wison Offshore & Marine Limited (WOM), a technology and solution provider focusing on clean energy, collaborated to develop and implement floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities worldwide. This would enable the delivery of standardized electrification and safety system to improve production efficiency.

In September 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduced the Thermo Scientific AutoFLEX EFM, the newest addition to the Auto SERIES flow computer portfolio, utilized to measure flow and process control in the oil and gas industry

Types Covered:

• Single Stream Flow Computers
• Multi-Stream Flow Computers

Components Covered:

• Hardware
• Software
• Support Services

Equipments Covered:

• Pressure Gauges
• Temperature Probes
• Gas Composition Sensors
• Sampling System
• Meter Prover
• Density Measurement Equipment

Connectivities Covered:

• Wired Flow Computers
• Wireless Flow Computers

Operations Covered:

• Upstream
• Midstream and Downstream

Applications Covered:

• Oil & gas
• Water & Wastewater
• Energy & Power Generation
• Food & Beverage
• Chemical
• Pulp & Paper
• Metal & Mining
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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