Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £5.5bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Falling oil prices dampen demand for support activity services
- The influence of non-OPEC oil producers (like the US, Brazil and Canada) has swelled, having a growing impact on global crude prices. As non-OPEC producers boost their oil supply, the world price has been falling in 2025-26. The world price of crude oil was $66.94 (£49.77) per barrel in 2025, representing a significant dip from the $79.17 (£62.50) per barrel recorded in 2024, according to the IMF. The decline reflects a well-supplied global market characterised by Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) production increases, rising non-OPEC output and concerns about demand growth.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Decommissioning is an area of growth
- The NSTA indicates a backlog of more than 500 wells that have already missed their original decommissioning deadlines, and over 1,000 additional wells are due for plugging and abandonment (P&A) between 2026 and 2030, supporting long-term demand for decommissioning services.
Biggest companies in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Technip UK Ltd | 1,064.3 | |
Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited | 601.3 | |
Ensco Offshore UK Ltd | 403.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Development wells, Appraisal wells and Decommissioning activity. Development wells is the largest segment of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Development wells are the industry's most lucrative activity
- Development wells are drilled to produce oil or gas once an area has been evaluated for size and flow rate. These tend to be larger than appraisal and exploration wells. According to the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), the total development well spending in the UK was £1.4 billion in 2023, rising to £1.6 billion in 2024. This increase in value has contributed to the segment's share of revenue growth in 2024-25.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry provides oil and gas well services on a fee or contract basis to companies that extract oil and gas. This includes services through the whole lifecycle of oil and gas fields, from prospecting services like geological observations and invasive work, directional drilling, re-drilling, test drilling, spudding and derrick erection and maintenance to the sealing of oil and gas wells. It also incorporates draining and pumping services and the liquefaction and regasification of gas for transportation.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom include Drilling oil and gas wells, Cementing wells, Plugging abandoned wells, Draining and pumping wells and Erecting drilling derricks.Companies
Companies covered in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom include Technip UK Ltd, Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited and Ensco Offshore UK Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom include spudding, cementing, derrick, liquefaction, regasification and near-field opportunity.Industry Code
SIC 09.10 - Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Oil prices continue to fall. As oil prices fall, downstream oil and gas extractors invest less in project development and exploration, limiting demand for support services li...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Decommissioning activity is supporting industry revenue. As oil and gas fields in mature basins like the North Sea approach the end of their production cycle, companies must ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Scotland is the centre of the oil industry. Aberdeen has cemented itself as the heart of the oil industry in the UK, exploiting its proximity to offshore oil and gas wells lo...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The industry operates in a highly competitive environment. Companies compete on price because support activities are often conducted on a day-rate basis. Prior to the energy ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Halliburton is at the forefront of drilling innovation. In October 2024, the company announced the addition of two new innovations to its portfolio: the SandTrap XL and iCrui...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Technip UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Ensco Offshore UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Technip UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ensco Offshore UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Coal production stops. Coal production stopped in the UK in September 2024, supporting demand for natural gas production and support activities used in the production process...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Purchase costs vary between companies. Purchases can vary according to specialisation strategies. Soaring producer price inflation has inflated the cost of inputs.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2020-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2020-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2020-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2020-2024)
- Assets (2020-2024)
- Liabilities (2020-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
The market size of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom is £5.5bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
There are 149 businesses in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 6.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom?
The Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom?
The Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom are Technip UK Ltd, Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited and Ensco Offshore UK Ltd
What does the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom include?
Drilling oil and gas wells and Cementing wells are part of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom is Technip UK Ltd.
How competitive is the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Support Activities industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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