Investments fuel global process gas compressor market

The oil and gas industry is the largest revenue contributor and primary driver of the global Process Gas (PG) compressor market. Global investment in Exploration and Production (E&P) of oil and gas made 2014 a good year for PG compressor manufacturers. With growing shale gas production and increasing demand for liquefied natural gas in North America, the PG compressor market is expected to remain on the upswing. Shale gas and other unconventional energy E&P in regions such as APAC and Africa will also help sustain the market.

“Power generation is another industry that has given a boost to the PG compressor market,” said Sakthi Sobana Pandia, Research Analyst, Industrial Automation & Process Control, Frost & Sullivan. “While conversion from coal-fired to gas-fired plants has driven demand in North America, need to generate more power to cater to demands of the expanding population and urbanisation trends has fuelled PG compressor adoption rates in APAC.”

However, a rising number of gas compressor stations could fuel concerns about air quality. Air monitoring systems have been installed to measure the impact of gas drilling and other infrastructure and limitations could be imposed on investment activity among station owners, thereby adversely impacting market progress.

“Although PG compressor technology is mature, there is scope for improvement in terms of energy efficiency and compliance with environmental regulations,” added Pandian. “If eco-friendly PG compressors are made available globally, end users are likely to upgrade their existing systems.”

For the moment, however, economic gloom across end-user industries has suppressed the purchase of new PG compressors. End-users remain focused on refurbishing and maintaining existing PG compressors rather than investing in new installations.