Measurement While Drilling Market Report 2025

The measurement while drilling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.53 billion in 2024 to $3.84 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth observed during the historic period was driven by the rising demand for real-time downhole data, growing need for improved drilling accuracy, increased emphasis on safety and risk reduction, heightened requirements for operational efficiency, and expanding offshore exploration activities.

The measurement-while-drilling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.29 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The projected growth during the forecast period is expected to be driven by the increasing focus on digital oilfield solutions, rising investments in unconventional resources, greater attention to environmental sustainability, expansion of offshore deepwater exploration projects, and growing demand for cost-effective drilling operations. Key trends anticipated in this period include advancements in real-time data acquisition, development of high-temperature and high-pressure measurement tools, integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, innovations in environmentally sustainable drilling technologies, and the creation of robust fiber-optic gyroscopes to enhance directional accuracy.

The growth of the measurement while drilling (MWD) market is expected to be propelled by the expansion of oil and gas exploration activities. Exploration involves the identification and evaluation of potential underground or offshore hydrocarbon reserves for future extraction. Rising energy demand, driven by population growth and industrialization, is fueling these exploration activities. MWD technologies support exploration by delivering real-time subsurface data, enabling precise well placement, reducing drilling risks, and optimizing hydrocarbon recovery. For example, in September 2023, GOV.UK reported that UK government revenues from oil and gas production reached $9.9 billion (£9 billion) in the financial year 2022-2023, up from $1.54 billion (£1.4 billion) in 2021-2022, reflecting an increase of $8.36 billion (£7.6 billion). This surge underscores the link between increased exploration and the growing demand for MWD solutions.

Leading MWD market players are developing innovative technologies, such as wireless real-time communication systems, to enable faster and more accurate subsurface data transmission during drilling. These systems transmit data from downhole equipment to the surface without physical cables, allowing immediate monitoring and decision-making. For instance, in September 2022, Enteq Technologies Plc, a UK-based energy services and technology firm, launched the XXT-Hop series, a real-time communications system for rotary steerable systems (RSS) and MWD operations. The series eliminates the need for hard connectors and dedicated collar lengths, allowing logging while drilling (LWD) operations below MWD equipment, which enhances tool longevity and operational efficiency. Using drop-in modules, a transmitter placed above the RSS communicates with a receiver integrated into the MWD string, enabling seamless real-time data flow to the surface. The system provides modular solutions for wireless MWD or LWD communications, real-time RSS data, and confirmation of control commands, ultimately improving drilling precision and operational reliability.

In February 2023, SLB, a US-based oilfield services company, acquired Gyrodata Incorporated for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to boost operational performance and drilling efficiency by incorporating advanced gyroscopic wellbore positioning technologies, enhancing wellbore quality, reducing drilling risks, and fostering innovation in autonomous drilling solutions. Gyrodata Incorporated specializes in providing measurement while drilling services in the oilfield sector.

Major players in the measurement while drilling market are General Electric Company, Schlumberger Limited, Baker Hughes Company, Halliburton Company, National Oilwell Varco Inc., Weatherford International plc, Helmerich And Payne Inc., Nabors Industries Ltd., Hunting PLC, KLX Energy Services Inc., Leam Drilling Systems LLC, OilSERV Inc., Scientific Drilling International, Foraco International SA, Patriot Drilling Services, Hawkeye Directional LLC., Jindal Drilling And Industries Ltd., Saihyandri Energy Services Pvt Ltd., Calmena Energy Services Inc., Enteq Technologies plc.

North America was the largest region in the measurement while drilling market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in measurement while drilling report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the measurement while drilling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the oil and gas sector, particularly in exploration equipment, pipeline infrastructure, and refinery operations. Elevated duties on imported drilling rigs, steel pipes, and specialized machinery have driven up capital costs for both upstream and downstream activities. Midstream operators are burdened by price hikes on valves, compressors, and storage tanks, disrupting ongoing expansion projects. Meanwhile, refiners face rising costs for imported catalysts and control systems essential for processing efficiency. Retaliatory tariffs from key trade partners have also dampened U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil, weakening market competitiveness. To mitigate these challenges, companies are increasingly investing in domestic manufacturing partnerships, digital asset management, and energy diversification strategies to sustain operations and protect profit margins.

Measurement while drilling (MWD) is a technology used in the oil and gas industry to collect real-time data directly from the drill bit during well drilling. It tracks parameters such as directional trajectory, inclination, azimuth, and downhole conditions such as pressure and temperature. By providing immediate feedback, MWD enables operators to accurately guide drilling operations, optimize well placement, and improve safety.

The primary components of MWD include downhole tools, surface equipment, data analysis software, power supply systems, and sensors and transmitters. Downhole tools are specialized instruments embedded in the drill string that capture real-time information on the wellbore trajectory, formation characteristics, and drilling conditions while drilling is in progress. These systems employ various technologies, including electromagnetic MWD, single-phase, two-phase, multi-phase MWD systems, and software-enhanced solutions. MWD is applicable across different well types, including directional, horizontal, and vertical wells, and is used in both onshore and offshore settings. Its end users include oil and gas companies, mining firms, utility providers, government and regulatory bodies, and research institutions.

The measurement while drilling market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides measurement while drilling market statistics, including measurement while drilling industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a measurement while drilling market share, detailed measurement while drilling market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the measurement while drilling industry. This measurement while drilling market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The measurement while drilling market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as real-time directional surveying, formation evaluation services, drilling optimization services, pressure and temperature measurement, and data transmission and telemetry services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The measurement while drilling market also includes sales of mud pulse telemetry systems, gamma ray sensors, rotary steerable systems, surface data acquisition systems, and directional drilling motors. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values; that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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