Flexible Pipe Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast Segmented By Raw Material (High-density Polyethylene, Polyamides, Polyvinylidene Fluoride), Application (Offshore and Onshore), By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.31 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.25%
Fastest Growing Segment	Offshore
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.14 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Flexible Pipe Market will grow from USD 2.31 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.14 Billion by 2031 at a 5.25% CAGR. Flexible pipes are specialized conduits constructed from varying layers of metallic and thermoplastic materials designed to transport fluids between subsea wellheads and surface facilities. The market is primarily propelled by the expansion of deepwater oil and gas exploration where the dynamic capability of these pipes is essential for floating production systems. Additionally, the superior cost efficiency during installation compared to rigid pipelines and the ability to spool pipes onto reels for rapid deployment serve as significant economic drivers for operators seeking effective field development solutions.

The industry faces a substantial challenge regarding the integrity of these assets in high pressure environments, particularly the risk of corrosion in the annular space caused by permeated gases. This technical hurdle often necessitates expensive material upgrades and rigorous monitoring regimes which can strain project budgets. According to the 'Global Underwater Hub', in '2024', the United Kingdom underwater industry grew in value by 1.2 billion pounds to reach 9.2 billion pounds, indicating a resilient demand for subsea infrastructure despite these operational complexities.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in global offshore drilling activities and subsea infrastructure investment is a critical catalyst for the flexible pipe sector. As energy companies expand operations into deeper waters, the requirement for versatile conduit systems that can connect subsea wellheads to floating production units has intensified. Flexible pipes are favored in these capital-intensive projects for their ability to withstand dynamic ocean forces and facilitate rapid subsea tie-backs, offering distinct logistical advantages over rigid pipelines. This heightened industrial activity is highlighted by the financial performance of major contractors; according to TechnipFMC, July 2024, the company achieved inbound subsea orders of USD 2.8 billion in the second quarter of the year, reflecting robust momentum in offshore development phases.

Concurrently, the growing necessity for corrosion-resistant solutions in harsh marine environments is driving the adoption of advanced materials. Operators extracting hydrocarbons from reservoirs with high contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, face significant asset integrity risks that necessitate pipes with specialized thermoplastic and composite layers. This demand for technically superior, corrosion-proof designs is translating into tangible commercial awards. According to Baker Hughes, October 2024, the firm secured a contract to supply 77 kilometers of flexible pipe systems specifically engineered to resist stress-induced corrosion cracking in pre-salt fields. This focus on resilient infrastructure aligns with broader market trends, as according to the International Energy Agency, in 2024, global upstream oil and gas investment was projected to reach USD 570 billion, supporting the deployment of these high-grade technologies.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Flexible Pipe Market faces a critical impediment regarding the integrity of assets in high-pressure environments, specifically the risk of annular space corrosion caused by permeated gases. This technical challenge forces operators to allocate substantial capital toward high-grade, corrosion-resistant materials and intensive monitoring regimes to prevent failure. These requirements significantly inflate both the initial capital expenditure and ongoing operational costs for deepwater projects. As a result, the economic viability of marginal fields is threatened, causing operators to delay or cancel new developments that would otherwise utilize flexible pipe solutions, thereby directly stalling market expansion.

The financial strain imposed by these integrity management obligations diverts essential funding away from new infrastructure investments. The high cost of managing the lifecycle and end-of-life phases of subsea assets illustrates this burden. According to 'Offshore Energies UK', in '2024', the forecasted expenditure for decommissioning offshore infrastructure reached 2.3 billion pounds. This significant allocation of financial resources toward managing existing and aging assets limits the available budget for new flexible pipe installations, effectively hampering the broader growth of the market.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of flexible pipeline solutions for hydrogen transport is rapidly altering the market landscape as operators seek infrastructure compatible with the energy transition. Unlike traditional hydrocarbons, hydrogen molecules are small and prone to permeation, necessitating the development of specialized thermoplastic composite materials that offer technical advantages over conventional steel counterparts. This technological evolution is moving beyond testing into commercial application, driven by the need for offshore green hydrogen generation and transport infrastructure. Validating this shift, according to Strohm, August 2024, the company secured a contract from TotalEnergies to supply Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) flowlines specifically designed to transport hydrogen and carbon dioxide for an offshore project in the Brazilian pre-salt basin.

Advancement in high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) unbonded pipe designs remains a dominant trend, fueled by the continued expansion into ultra-deepwater reservoirs where environmental conditions exceed the limits of standard conduits. Manufacturers are engineering complex unbonded flexible pipes with reinforced armor layers and gas-shielding technologies to maintain integrity under extreme hydrostatic pressure and internal fluid stress. This focus on technically robust, high-specification assets is evidenced by major capital commitments from national energy companies. For instance, according to TechnipFMC, July 2024, the company was awarded a substantial contract valued between USD 250 million and USD 500 million by Petrobras to supply flexible pipe systems for water injection and gas lift applications in the challenging pre-salt fields offshore Brazil.

Segmental Insights

The offshore segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Flexible Pipe Market due to intensifying exploration and production activities in deepwater and ultra-deepwater regions. As energy companies expand into harsher marine environments, the demand for flexible pipes has surged because they withstand dynamic ocean currents and high internal pressure more effectively than rigid alternatives. This expansion is further accelerated by the increasing deployment of floating production systems, which require adaptable subsea infrastructure to connect seabed wells to surface facilities reliably and safely.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the Global Flexible Pipe Market due to significant investments in offshore drilling activities, particularly within the Gulf of Mexico, and the rapid development of unconventional shale gas resources. The region requires durable, adaptable piping solutions to withstand the high pressures and corrosive conditions inherent in deepwater and hydraulic fracturing operations. Additionally, rigorous oversight from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management compels operators to utilize superior flexible pipe technologies to minimize environmental risks. These factors, alongside a well-established infrastructure network, ensure North America maintains its market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, TechnipFMC was awarded a significant contract by Ithaca Energy to supply flexible risers for the Captain development located in the United Kingdom North Sea. The scope of the project required the company to design, manufacture, and install flexible risers, flowlines, and associated subsea hardware to support the field's continued production. This award, valued between $75 million and $250 million, built upon previous enhanced oil recovery efforts at the Captain field where the company had previously provided technological support. The contract was recognized as a key addition to the company's inbound orders for the fourth quarter.
• In March 2025, NOV signed a pre-commercial agreement with Petrobras to collaborate on the development of flexible pipes designed for high-carbon dioxide deepwater applications. This research and development initiative focused on creating stainless steel armouring capable of withstanding stress corrosion cracking, a critical issue in pre-salt oil and gas operations. Under the terms of the partnership, the Brazilian state-controlled oil company agreed to invest in the qualification of this new technology, while NOV provided engineering expertise to ensure the solution met stringent industry standards for production and gas injection risers.
• In October 2024, Baker Hughes announced it had secured significant contracts with Petrobras to provide 77 kilometers of flexible pipe systems for Brazil's pre-salt fields. The multi-year agreement included the delivery of risers and flowlines for hydrocarbon production as well as associated gas and water injection. These flexible pipe systems were specifically selected to address the challenge of stress-induced corrosion cracking caused by high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the deepwater fields. The equipment was designated for deployment across several assets, including the Búzios, Libra, and Sépia fields, with deliveries set to commence in mid-2026.
• In July 2024, Strohm was awarded a contract by TotalEnergies EP Brasil to supply Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) flowlines for an offshore field located in the Santos Basin. This commercial award represented a significant milestone as it marked the first time TCP flowlines were selected for installation in ultra-deepwater environments, specifically at depths of 2,200 meters. The composite technology was chosen for its immunity to corrosion, particularly carbon dioxide-induced stress corrosion cracking, and its ability to offer a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional steel solutions. The flowlines were scheduled for subsequent installation using standard pipelay support vessels.

Key Market Players

• National Oilwell Varco
• TechnipFMC PLC
• The Prysmian Group
• GE Oil & Gas Corporation
• Shawcor Ltd
• SoulForce
• Airborne Oil & Gas BV
• Magma Global Ltd
• ContiTech AG
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC

By Raw Material	By Region
High-density Polyethylene Polyamides Polyvinylidene Fluoride	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Flexible Pipe Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Flexible Pipe Market, By Raw Material:

• High-density Polyethylene
• Polyamides
• Polyvinylidene Fluoride

• Flexible Pipe Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE