Crude Oil Flow Improvers Market is estimated to be valued at USD 1,853 Mn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 2,660.0 Mn in 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2025 to 2032.
Global crude oil flow improvers market is focused on boosting production of crude oil across the globe. Increasing hydraulic fracturing activities, surging demand of crude oil, rising investment for the development of advanced and technical products are some of the factors that can drive the global crude oil flow improvers market growth during the forecast period of 2025-2032. Increasing production from renewable resources and rising research activities will create new and ample opportunities for the market during the forecast period.
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Extraction acquired the prominent share of 45.0% in 2025. Growing global oil output, especially from unconventional sources like shale and tight oil, fuels the expansion of the extraction segment in the market. Operators increasingly rely on flow improvers to prevent blockages and maintain flow efficiency during intensified drilling activities, particularly in remote areas and high-wax crude fields. The push for cost-effective production, reduced downtime, and enhanced recovery further boosts demand. Technological advancements in additive formulations and the need to optimize flow in harsh environments also accelerate market growth in this segment.
Rising output of high-wax crude oils, particularly in cold and deepwater regions, drives the demand for paraffin inhibitors as operators work to prevent wax deposition from obstructing pipelines. Offshore drilling and shale exploration continue to grow, requiring efficient flow assurance systems. Manufacturers have developed advanced chemical formulations, while operators increasingly prioritize preventive maintenance to ensure smooth operations. Companies also adopt paraffin inhibitors to reduce operational downtime and comply with environmental regulations, further strengthening their role in oil extraction and transportation. In May 2024, BASF expanded the global production capacity of its Basoflux® paraffin inhibitors at its Tarragona, Spain. This is further propelling the crude oil flow improvers market demand.
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North America leads the global COFI market with a share of 28.90%, with the United States and Canada at the forefront due to extensive shale oil production and hydraulic fracturing that demand improved flow efficiency. Operators in the region continue to invest in pipeline optimization and expansion, increasing the use of drag-reducing agents and viscosity modifiers to boost capacity without major infrastructure costs. Technological advancements, such as polymer-based and nano-additive formulations, enhance performance in cold and deepwater conditions. While environmental regulations and oil price fluctuations pose challenges, they also drive the adoption of sustainable, data-driven, and customized flow improver solutions.
China (11.96 M bpd) and India (5.26 M bpd) led Asia-Pacific’s oil imports, which reached 27.36 M bpd in H1 2025. As prices remained low, countries stockpiled crude, driving demand for flow improvers to support export and transport logistics. The dominance of ethylene vinyl acetate and the rapid rise of polyalkyl methacrylate reflected the growth of oil transport in cooler regions. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of refineries in China and India increased heavy crude throughput, boosting the need for drag-reducing agents and viscosity modifiers to optimize pipeline and refinery performance, further accelerating the crude oil flow improvers market demand.
Limited pipeline capacity from the Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast has widened price differentials. To ease pipeline congestion and maximize throughput, operators are actively using flow improvers like drag-reducing agents while awaiting long-term infrastructure upgrades. U.S. refiners, instead of heavily investing in reconfiguring facilities for domestic light shale, prefer chemical optimizations and blending strategies. This cost-effective approach increases the demand for flow improvers, as it enhances flow efficiency without requiring large capital investments.
Alberta’s heavy oil and bitumen production drives the demand for flow improvers, as they help maintain viscosity in heated lines and long-distance pipelines while preventing wax buildup. Canada’s sub-zero temperatures raise the risk of wax formation, prompting operators to use paraffin and cold-flow inhibitors to ensure uninterrupted flow during harsh weather. New pipeline projects and reversals, including the Trans Mountain expansion, boost throughput capacity. Operators rely on flow improvers to support these systems and reduce dependence on costly mechanical interventions.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2024 | Market Size in 2025: | USD 1,853 Mn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2025 To 2032 |
| Forecast Period 2025 to 2032 CAGR: | 5.3% | 2032 Value Projection: | USD 2,660.0 Mn |
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| Companies covered: |
Halliburton Company, BASF SE, LiquidPower Specialty Products Inc., Schlumberger Ltd., Baker Hughes, A GE Company, Nalco Champion, Clariant AG, Evonik Industries AG, Infineum International Limited, Innospec Inc. |
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In December 2024, Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd. launched NEOPROVER HBF-101, an innovative cold flow improver engineered to significantly boost flow performance under low-temperature conditions.
Oilfield operators are increasingly shifting toward advanced formulations such as polymer-based drag-reducing agents, low-dosage hydrate inhibitors, and nano-enhanced additives. These chemicals enhance flow performance in extreme conditions like ultra-deepwater, cold climates, and high-pressure pipelines. Operators choose these solutions for their efficiency, versatility with different crude types, and reduced chemical usage. This trend highlights the industry’s growing emphasis on precise dosing, meeting environmental regulations, and achieving long-term cost efficiency in both upstream and midstream operations.
Rising oil production from unconventional sources like shale, tight oil, and deepwater reserves is driving strong demand for flow improvers. Operators face major flow assurance challenges in these environments, including wax, hydrate, and asphaltene buildup. To maintain production efficiency, minimize downtime, and reduce costs, they increasingly rely on chemical flow solutions. This trend underscores how complex extraction conditions are pushing broader adoption of flow improvers across both emerging and established energy markets.
Manufacturers can seize opportunities by developing smart flow improvers that automatically adjust to pipeline conditions like temperature, pressure, and crude composition. By introducing innovations such as responsive polymers, AI-integrated dosing systems, and biodegradable formulations, they can increase product value and appeal to environmentally conscious operators. As oil producers prioritize precision and automation to cut waste and lower costs, suppliers that deliver intelligent and efficient solutions are well-positioned to meet shifting market needs and establish a strong foothold in high-performance oilfield chemicals.
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About Author
Yash Doshi is a Senior Management Consultant. He has 12+ years of experience in conducting research and handling consulting projects across verticals in APAC, EMEA, and the Americas.
He brings strong acumen in helping chemical companies navigate complex challenges and identify growth opportunities. He has deep expertise across the chemicals value chain, including commodity, specialty and fine chemicals, plastics and polymers, and petrochemicals. Yash is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and contributes to various publications on topics related commodity, specialty and fine chemicals, plastics and polymers, and petrochemicals.
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