The oilfield surfactants industry is set to expand exponentially over the forthcoming years because of the increasing number of drilling operations in U.S. and Latin America, expanding oil and gas industry, and rising initiatives for reducing water pollution. Surfactants are that specifically absorbs at interface, effectively lowering the interfacial tension or surface tension between fluids or between a solid and a fluid.

In other words, surfactants are a class of substances which can substantially decrease surface tension at extremely low concentrations. The kind of surfactant behavior usually is dependent upon the structural groups on the molecule. Surfactant are mostly used in numerous oilfield drilling as well as production applications.

The global oilfield surfactants market is bifurcated into different segments in terms of product, source, application, and regional landscape.

With respect to product, the oilfield surfactants market is classified into Silicone, Amphoteric, Cationic, Non-Ionic, and Anionic. Among these, cationic surfactant segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast time period. The surface active ions created by cationic surfactants when ionized in aqueous solution are positively charged. In addition, the hydrophobic groups of cationic surfactants are known to be like anionic surfactants. These ions comprise of nitrogen atoms, which can further be divided into heterocyclic type, quaternary ammonium salt and amine salt as per the position of nitrogen atoms in molecules.

Amphoteric segment is expected to reach a valuation of around $87.5 million by the end of the analysis timeframe.

In terms of application, the overall oilfield surfactants market is categorized into spacers, non-emulsifiers, emulsion breakers, surface active agents, wetting agents, cleaners, drilling surfactants, foamers, EOR, and stimulation flowback/ fluid recovery. Among these, stimulation flowback/fluid recovery application segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 4.4% over the forthcoming time period. Selection of appropriate surfactant aids in preventing flocculation and improves the recovery of broken fluids from proppant packs.

Foamers application segment is expected to exceed a valuation of over $47.3 million by the end of the forecast time period. Cleaners segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 2.2% over the assessment time period.

Wetting agents application segment is expected to grow substantially over the forecast period owing to the increasing oil and gas industry. Rising initiatives for reducing water pollution will support the surface-active agents demand over the forecast time period.

Meanwhile, emulsion breakers segment is likely to reach a valuation of approximately $96.3 million by end of the analysis timeline. Non emulsifiers application segment is anticipated to witness a respectable CAGR of 3.9% through the forecast time period. Increasing number of drilling operations in U.S. and Latin America will fuel the spacers segment demand over the coming years.

From a regional frame of reference, Latin America is expected to reach a valuation of around $89.9 million by the end of the analysis timeframe. The region is also likely to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% throughout the forecast time period.