Power Tong Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented, By Type (Hydraulic, Pneumatic), By Product Type (Chisel Tong, Casing Tong, Rotary Tong, Manual Tong, Others), By Function (Breakout Tong, Makeup Tong), By Location (Offshore, Onshore), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.93 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.53%
Fastest Growing Segment	Pneumatic
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.06 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Power Tong Market will grow from USD 2.93 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.06 Billion by 2031 at a 9.53% CAGR. Power tongs are specialized hydraulic mechanical tools utilized in the oil and gas industry to apply precise torque for making up or breaking out tubular goods, such as drill pipes, casing, and tubing, during well construction and servicing operations. The primary drivers supporting the market's growth include the intensification of global exploration and production activities and the increasing necessity for automated tubular running services to enhance rig safety and efficiency. This robust operational environment is substantiated by recent industry activity levels; according to the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), in 2024, participating drilling contractors recorded a total of 418.4 million man-hours worked worldwide, underscoring the sustained demand for drilling equipment and services.

Despite the positive growth trajectory, the Global Power Tong Market faces a significant challenge in the form of crude oil price volatility. Fluctuations in global energy prices frequently compel operators to implement stringent capital expenditure cuts and defer new drilling projects, which directly impedes the procurement and utilization rates of essential rig hardware.

Key Market Drivers

Intensified global exploration and production activities, particularly in offshore and ultra-deepwater environments, serve as a primary catalyst for the power tong market. As operators push into deeper and more complex reservoirs, the frequency of tripping pipe and the requirement for robust tubular handling equipment increase significantly. This surge in upstream activity is directly correlated with the deployment of drilling hardware across major energy hubs, creating a steady requirement for make-up and break-out tools. This momentum is quantified by recent fleet metrics; according to Argaam, December 2025, data from Baker Hughes indicated that the international rig count reached 1,073 units in November 2025, representing a month-over-month increase that underscores the sustained operational demand for rig floor machinery. To support these extensive operations, national oil companies are committing substantial capital to maintain production capacity. According to Zawya, March 2025, Saudi Aramco announced a targeted capital expenditure range of $52 billion to $58 billion for the fiscal year 2025, a massive investment that secures the long-term procurement pipeline for essential drilling equipment, including hydraulic tongs.

The integration of automation and IoT-enabled drilling technologies acts as the second critical driver, fundamentally reshaping product specifications towards high-precision, remote-operated units. The industry is aggressively transitioning from manual tongs to automated systems to mitigate safety risks associated with tubular handling and to ensure consistent torque application. This technological shift is validated by major service contracts that now prioritize automated connection integrity over legacy methods. According to Weatherford International, September 2025, the company secured a three-year contract worth $147 million from Petrobras to provide tubular running services in Brazil, specifically deploying their automated make-up and evaluation systems. Such agreements highlight how operators are leveraging advanced mechanized tools to enhance operational efficiency, reduce rig downtime, and strictly adhere to modern industrial safety standards.

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Key Market Challenges

Crude oil price volatility represents a significant impediment to the expansion of the Global Power Tong Market. When energy prices fluctuate unpredictably or trend downward, exploration and production companies frequently respond by constricting their capital expenditure budgets to preserve liquidity. This financial conservatism leads to the deferral of new drilling campaigns and the cancellation of well completion projects, which are the primary activities necessitating the use of power tongs. Consequently, the reduced frequency of tubular running operations directly diminishes the volume of orders for torque-application equipment, stalling revenue generation for manufacturers and service providers.

This challenging market dynamic is substantiated by recent industry data indicating sustained pricing pressure. According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in its September 2025 Monthly Oil Market Report, the average price of the ICE Brent benchmark dropped to $67.26 per barrel, reflecting a continued downward trend that undermines operator confidence. Such instability in valuation compels drilling contractors to limit rig deployment, thereby directly hampering the procurement and utilization rates of essential rig hardware, including hydraulic power tongs.

Key Market Trends

The Adoption of Automated Tubular Handling Capabilities is advancing toward fully autonomous robotic systems that remove personnel from hazardous rig zones. Unlike legacy remote-operated units, these next-generation solutions utilize multi-arm robotics and machine vision to execute pipe tripping sequences with zero manual intervention. This technological leap involves equipment capable of independent decision-making during tubular transfer, significantly surpassing the efficiency of standard mechanized tools. This shift is evidenced by recent field applications; according to Drilling Contractor, June 2025, in the 'NOV pushes automation boundaries with deployment of robotics system on Canadian land rig' article, NOV successfully deployed a robotics system featuring three autonomous arms to manage tubular handling on a commercial rig, confirming the operational viability of hands-free technology.

The Development of High-Torque Units for Deepwater Applications is intensifying as operators exploit deeper reservoirs requiring equipment with extreme connection force capabilities. These specialized tongs are engineered to handle premium strings and heavy-wall casings essential for ultra-deepwater integrity, distinguishing them from conventional offshore hardware. The market is prioritizing units that can deliver precise, high-capacity torque in high-pressure environments. This demand is driving significant service agreements; according to Offshore Energy, March 2025, in the 'Two contracts for huge Black Sea gas project reel in $10 million for Expro' article, Expro Group secured contracts exceeding $10 million to support the Neptun Deep gas project, highlighting the critical need for high-specification tubular running hardware in frontier developments.

Segmental Insights

The Pneumatic segment is establishing itself as the fastest-growing division in the Global Power Tong Market, largely due to the increasing enforcement of intrinsic safety mandates in hazardous drilling environments. By utilizing compressed air, these units prevent the fire risks and environmental contamination associated with hydraulic fluid leaks, ensuring compliance with strict industrial safety protocols. Moreover, the segment benefits from the equipment's lightweight and compact nature, which facilitates superior maneuverability in confined rig spaces and reduces physical strain on operators during complex pipe-handling procedures.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global power tong market, driven primarily by extensive oil and gas exploration activities across the United States and Canada. The region contains substantial shale reserves that require consistent drilling operations, directly sustaining the demand for tubular running services. Furthermore, market adoption is reinforced by stringent safety standards from regulatory bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These regulations encourage the transition from manual tools to mechanized power tongs to reduce workplace injuries, thereby cementing North America's dominance in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Expro Group Holdings N.V. achieved a major operational milestone with the first successful deployment of its autonomous iTONG system in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. The technology was utilized on a deepwater drillship offshore Côte d'Ivoire for a major operator to support the expansion of a significant hydrocarbon field. The system, which automated the make-up and break-out of casing and tubing joints, allowed operations to be controlled remotely from the driller’s cabin, thereby eliminating the need for personnel in the hazardous rig floor area. The deployment reportedly reduced connection make-up times by half and enhanced overall operational safety.
• In October 2024, McCoy Global Inc. announced the acceptance of a significant contract award valued at approximately CAD 4.3 million to supply several enhanced hydraulic smart casing running tools to a customer in the Middle East. The company expedited the development of this enhanced technology to meet specific new requirements introduced by national oil companies and major operators in the region. These smart tools were designed to integrate with the company’s data-enabled systems, offering improved safety and efficiency by automating the tubular running process and providing real-time data connection integrity for casing operations.
• In March 2024, Drilling Tools International Corp. finalized its acquisition of Deep Casing Tools, a United Kingdom-based technology company specializing in innovative downhole solutions. This transaction incorporated a range of patented products into the acquirer's portfolio, including a turbine-powered casing running system and a completion running system designed to land tubulars at target depth in complex wellbores. The acquisition was part of a broader strategy to consolidate the oilfield services rental tool industry and expand the company's international presence, particularly in the Middle East, by offering advanced technologies that support efficient casing installation and well construction.
• In January 2024, SLB and Nabors Industries announced a strategic collaboration to scale the adoption of automated drilling solutions for oil and gas operators. The agreement focused on integrating the companies' respective drilling automation applications and rig operating systems to enhance well construction performance and efficiency. This partnership aimed to provide customers with seamless access to a broader suite of technologies, including robotic pipe-handling systems and automated tubular running services. By combining their digital and equipment capabilities, the companies sought to accelerate the implementation of consistent, repeatable, and automated processes on the rig floor.

Key Market Players

• Eckel Manufacturing Co., Inc.
• INTLEF Oil and Gas Group Co., Ltd.
• Jiangsu Rutong Petroleum Machinery Co.
• Jiangsu Rushi Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Weatherford International Plc
• ALCO Inc.
• Jiangsu Zhongyou Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Jereh Group
• International Prospering Group S.A. de C.V.
• Midland Oil Tools (MOT)

By Type	By Product Type	By Function	By Location	By Region
Hydraulic Pneumatic	Chisel Tong Casing Tong Rotary Tong Manual Tong Others	Breakout Tong Makeup Tong	Offshore Onshore	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Power Tong Market, By Type:

• Hydraulic
• Pneumatic

• Power Tong Market, By Product Type:

• Chisel Tong
• Casing Tong
• Rotary Tong
• Manual Tong
• Others

• Power Tong Market, By Function:

• Breakout Tong
• Makeup Tong

• Power Tong Market, By Location:

• Offshore
• Onshore

• Power Tong 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