World Onshore Pipelines Market Forecast

2025-2029 Edition Out Now

New onshore oil and gas pipeline installations to require US$273 billion in Capex, with 211,000 km of pipeline forecast

The latest edition of Westwood’s World Onshore Pipelines Market Forecast reports that 210,822 km of pipeline, averaging 42,164 km per year, will be installed between 2025 and 2029. This represents a 7% increase on the hindcast, which was impacted by Covid-19 demand destruction.

Global Additional KM Installed 2020-2024 vs 2025-2029
Source: Westwood Onshore Pipelines Market Forecast 2025-2029

Gas pipelines are expected to lead installations over the forecast, accounting for 71% (~149,000 km) of the total. Demand for gas pipelines remains strong in most regions, with campaigns underway in many countries, especially in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, to expand domestic gas infrastructure. At the same time, the US is expanding export pipeline infrastructure from shale plays to meet gas demand from the growing number of LNG export terminals. Furthermore, traditional Middle Eastern oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are heavily investing in new gas projects for both domestic use and export.

While only accounting for 29% of the total demand, almost 62,000 km of liquid pipelines are still expected over the forecast, representing a Capex of US$65 billion. While much of this will be driven by crude projects, with a significant number still expected to progress over the forecast, new pipelines to transport the ever-increasing NGL and condensate production from the US, as well as many OPEC+ nations, boosts the outlook for liquid pipelines above where it would otherwise be.

On a regional level, North America is expected to continue to lead activity over the forecast, accounting for 34% of forecast installation. This will be followed by Asia (28%), where China and India will dominate pipeline installations, and the Middle East (13%). Project costs in the US and Canada are among the highest globally, with high dayrates, long approval process and a history of project delays, raising costs. As a result, North America will account for a larger proportion of Capex than installations, with a spend of US$128 billion forecast, 45% of all Capex. Outside of North America, Asia is expected to account for 22% of total Capex, the only other region expected to account for more than 10% of the total.

Uncertainties in the global energy market remain, which have been exacerbated by the current fluctuating US trade tariffs, especially those on steel, adding pressure to an industry already facing permitting and financing challenges. At the same time, questions over the need for additional supply, especially for liquids, are growing given sluggish demand growth and the mooted return of previously restricted OPEC+ crude. Despite these risks, Westwood’s report indicates that the fundamental factors that drive new pipeline installations are strong and are expected to remain over the forecast.

Report Summary
Macro Overview
Oil Prices
Liquids Supply/Demand Balance
Select Midstream Company Revenues
Select Merger & Acquisition Activity
Challenges to Onshore Pipeline Projects

Technical Overview
Pipeline Product Process
Key Components – Overview
EPC: Key Components – Capex
EPC: Construction Process
O&M: Routine Operations Procedures
O&M: Integrity Management Procedures
O&M: Abnormal & Emergency Operations
Alternative Transport Methods

Market Forecast – Installations & Capex
Global Market: Capex & Installations Outlook
Global Market: Additional KM Installed
Global Market: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Africa: Additional KM Installed
Africa: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Asia: Additional KM Installed
Asia: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Australasia: Additional KM Installed
Australasia: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Eastern Europe & FSU: Additional KM Installed
Eastern Europe & FSU: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Latin America: Additional KM installed
Latin America: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Middle East: Additional KM Installed
Middle East: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
North America: Additional KM Installed
North America: Capex Outlook & Key Trends
Western Europe: Additional KM installed
Western Europe: Capex Outlook & Key Trends

Market Forecast – Opex
Global Market: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Africa: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Asia: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Australasia: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Eastern Europe & FSU: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Latin America: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Middle East: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
North America: Opex Outlook & Key Trends
Western Europe: Opex Outlook & Key Trends

Appendices
Capex Methodology
Capex Supply Chain
Opex Methodology
Opex Supply Chain