GLOBAL DATA

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GoM drilling permits issued

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The subsea tree market is set to grow strongly over the next five years with demand growth forecast at an average of 8% per annum. This month Infield Systems looks at the geographic distribution of subsea trees across the world both historic and forecast.

Viewed across a 10-year window, 2000-2009, the mega-developments off West Africa have had a major impact on demand for subsea trees. Large numbers of subsea production and injection wells are being drilled and tied-back to maintain high production levels. By 2009, growth in the African market is forecast to rise to 30% of all subsea trees.

The emergence of a strengthening demand in Asia and Australasia is a trend to note. Development of deepwater fields in Asia and remote gas satellite tiebacks in Australia look set to increase their combined share of the subsea tree market from approximately 2% in 2000 to 14% by 2009.

In contrast, the figures show that Europe’s share has fallen in comparison with the rest of the world from 54% to 21%. However, this belies the fact that Europe is still forecast to be a healthy market where growth in the number of subsea trees demanded is predicted on second and even third phase developments and infill wells, despite the region now being widely recognized as mature. The situation is thus more a reflection of the growth of emerging markets elsewhere than of total European decline. -Will Rowley, Director of Analytical Services, Infield Systems