Energy Efficiency to Emerge as Key Purchase Criterion for Pumps in the Oil and Gas Industry, Says Frost & Sullivan

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.industrialautomation.frost.com), European Pumps Market in the Oil and Gas Industry, finds that the market earned revenues of €1,346.78 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach €1,483.19 million in 2015. The research covers centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.

Pump reliability, energy efficiency and conservation, and safety have become critical factors due to the oil and gas crisis in Europe.

“The EU policy of using energy efficient motors and drives is expected to boost the demand for pumps in the oil and gas industry,” notes Frost & Sullivan Program Manager Ashwin Annareddy. “Pump manufacturers are ready to match the need for innovative and energy efficient products with intelligent pumps that can save massive amounts of energy over their lifetime. Over the medium and long term of the forecast period, more energy efficient products are set to enter the market.”

The competitive environment in the European oil and gas industry is dominated by large corporates with API and non-API pump offerings. Low cost pump manufacturers from Asia and Far East have not been able to gain a foothold in the market, due to a conservative end user mindset and a tendency to equate lower prices with inferior products.

“The pumps market in the European oil and gas industry has been very conservative in terms of adopting new pump types and pumping technology,” remarks Annareddy. “The majority of the pumps used in the oil and gas industry are API 610 pumps that require extremely high standards of manufacture, machining and safety levels. Strict regulations within the oil and gas industry have resulted in end users being unwilling to risk their investment with pumps manufactured in Asia and the Far East.”

Increasing customer satisfaction also poses a significant challenge to pump manufacturers. Customer satisfaction is essential in building long term and profitable relationships leading to customer loyalty and repeat business.

“End users now expect not just a high quality product but, equally, an array of services to go along with it,” adds Annareddy. “Market participants will also have to address end user demand for efficient service personnel and timely delivery of products.”

European manufacturers need to keep introducing innovative design features while focusing on increased pump and motor efficiencies, higher price-performance ratio and prompt after sales service. With product reliability becoming a critical purchase criterion, market participants will need to undertake continuous research and development and improved design engineering. They will need to develop on site support and offer end users enhanced value.