Market overview
The global drilling market is worth USD 153 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 206 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Land is the largest by setting segment.
| Scope | Contract drilling and drilling services for oil, gas and geothermal wells: land and offshore rig contracts, directional drilling, drilling fluids and bits. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil and Gas |
| Value 2025 | USD 150 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 153 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 206 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 80,394 wells |
| Volume 2036 | 93,097 wells |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,903,000 per well |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Drilling market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 153 bn |
| 2027 | USD 158 bn |
| 2028 | USD 162 bn |
| 2029 | USD 167 bn |
| 2030 | USD 172 bn |
| 2031 | USD 177 bn |
| 2032 | USD 183 bn |
| 2033 | USD 188 bn |
| 2034 | USD 194 bn |
| 2035 | USD 200 bn |
| 2036 | USD 206 bn |
Drilling market segmentation
By setting
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land | 60.0% | 56.3% | USD 91.8 bn | 2.4% |
| Shallow water | 12.0% | 11.8% | USD 18.4 bn | 2.9% |
| Deepwater and ultra-deepwater | 28.0% | 31.9% | USD 42.8 bn | 4.3% |
By service
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rig contracting | 46.0% | 45.7% | USD 70.4 bn | 2.9% |
| Directional drilling and measurement | 20.0% | 20.9% | USD 30.6 bn | 3.4% |
| Drilling fluids | 14.0% | 13.9% | USD 21.4 bn | 2.9% |
| Bits and tools | 12.0% | 11.9% | USD 18.4 bn | 2.9% |
| Other drilling services | 8.0% | 7.6% | USD 12.2 bn | 2.4% |
By contract model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day-rate contracts | 52.0% | 48.0% | USD 79.6 bn | 2.2% |
| Integrated project and turnkey | 28.0% | 31.0% | USD 42.8 bn | 4.0% |
| Footage and performance-linked | 14.0% | 15.0% | USD 21.4 bn | 3.7% |
| Spot and short-term | 6.0% | 6.0% | USD 9.2 bn | 3.0% |
By well purpose
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development wells | 56.0% | 54.0% | USD 85.7 bn | 2.6% |
| Exploration and appraisal | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 30.6 bn | 3.0% |
| Infill and sidetrack | 24.0% | 26.0% | USD 36.7 bn | 3.8% |
By operator type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National oil companies | 46.0% | 47.0% | USD 70.4 bn | 3.2% |
| International oil companies | 30.0% | 27.0% | USD 45.9 bn | 1.9% |
| Independent operators | 24.0% | 26.0% | USD 36.7 bn | 3.8% |
Top 25 countries for drilling by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 75.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.0%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 45.9 bn | 30.0% | USD 59.4 bn | 2.6% |
| 2 | China | USD 16.8 bn | 11.0% | USD 22.8 bn | 3.1% |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | USD 10.7 bn | 7.0% | USD 15.2 bn | 3.6% |
| 4 | Canada | USD 7.7 bn | 5.0% | USD 9.5 bn | 2.1% |
| 5 | Russia | USD 7.7 bn | 5.0% | USD 9.0 bn | 1.7% |
| 6 | Brazil | USD 7.7 bn | 5.0% | USD 12.5 bn | 5.1% |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | USD 6.1 bn | 4.0% | USD 9.3 bn | 4.2% |
| 8 | Norway | USD 4.6 bn | 3.0% | USD 6.0 bn | 2.6% |
| 9 | Mexico | USD 3.8 bn | 2.5% | USD 4.7 bn | 2.1% |
| 10 | Iraq | USD 3.8 bn | 2.5% | USD 5.1 bn | 3.0% |
| 11 | Kuwait | USD 3.7 bn | 2.4% | USD 4.7 bn | 2.6% |
| 12 | Argentina | USD 3.3 bn | 2.1% | USD 5.3 bn | 5.0% |
| 13 | India | USD 2.9 bn | 1.9% | USD 4.7 bn | 4.9% |
| 14 | Oman | USD 2.6 bn | 1.7% | USD 3.4 bn | 2.6% |
| 15 | Australia | USD 2.3 bn | 1.5% | USD 3.0 bn | 2.6% |
| 16 | Qatar | USD 2.1 bn | 1.3% | USD 2.7 bn | 2.6% |
| 17 | Kazakhstan | USD 1.8 bn | 1.2% | USD 2.4 bn | 2.6% |
| 18 | Indonesia | USD 1.6 bn | 1.1% | USD 2.1 bn | 2.6% |
| 19 | United Kingdom | USD 1.4 bn | 0.9% | USD 1.6 bn | 1.0% |
| 20 | Nigeria | USD 1.3 bn | 0.8% | USD 1.7 bn | 2.6% |
| 21 | Algeria | USD 1.1 bn | 0.8% | USD 1.5 bn | 2.6% |
| 22 | Egypt | USD 1.0 bn | 0.7% | USD 1.3 bn | 2.5% |
| 23 | Angola | USD 903 mn | 0.6% | USD 1.2 bn | 2.6% |
| 24 | Colombia | USD 811 mn | 0.5% | USD 1.0 bn | 2.6% |
| 25 | Malaysia | USD 719 mn | 0.5% | USD 925 mn | 2.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 10.7 bn | 7.0% | USD 14.6 bn | 3.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Transocean
- Valaris
- Noble Corporation
- Nabors Industries
- Helmerich & Payne
- Patterson-UTI
- SLB
- Baker Hughes
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Precision Drilling
- Seadrill
- Saipem
- Borr Drilling
- Halliburton
- Odfjell Drilling
- COSL
- ADES Holding
- Vantage Drilling
- Sinopec Oilfield Service
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Shelf Drilling
- Ensign Energy Services
- Aban Offshore
- Independence Contract Drilling
- Constellation Oil Services
- Dolphin Drilling
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the drilling market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 3.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by setting, by service, by contract model, by well purpose, by operator type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the drilling market?
The global drilling market is estimated at USD 150 bn in 2025 and USD 153 bn in 2026.
How fast will the drilling market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 206 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 52.6 bn.
Which country is the largest market for drilling?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 45.9 bn in 2026, 30.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 48.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, Brazil is growing fastest at 5.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which drilling segment is largest?
In the by setting split, Land is the largest segment with 60.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading drilling companies?
Global leaders include Transocean, Valaris, Noble Corporation, Nabors Industries.
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