Growing shale gas, tight oil production to drive gains
The rapid growth in production of unconventional resources like shale gas and tight oil has had a ripple effect throughout the US economy. After years of declines, US crude oil production is rising again and abundant low cost natural gas resources are rejuvenating the US manufacturing sector. This will provide opportunities for manufacturers of well stimulation materials across the board as oil and gas operators continue to require large amounts of proppants, as well as chemicals like biocides, guar gum, and surfactants.

The global needle coke capacity rose from 920 kt/a to 1,160 kt/a in 2006-2013, registering a CAGR of 3.9%. So far, American and Japanese companies have mastered the needle coke production worldwide. ConocoPhillips as the world’s largest producer of oil-based needle coke saw its capacity up to 370 kt/a in 2013; C-Chem, the largest coal-based needle coke producer, boasted capacity of 170 kt/a in the same year.

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