PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929072
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929072
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.
Tariffs have impacted the measurement while drilling market by increasing costs of imported sensors, electronic components, and telemetry systems. These effects have been significant for offshore and deepwater projects in regions dependent on international suppliers. Higher tariffs have raised service costs and affected project economics. At the same time, tariffs have encouraged localization of tool manufacturing, regional calibration centers, and domestic technology development for drilling instrumentation.
The measurement while drilling market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company 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 size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.84 billion in 2025 to $4.17 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of oil and gas exploration, need for directional drilling accuracy, historical drilling inefficiencies, expansion of offshore fields, early telemetry technology adoption.
The measurement while drilling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.71 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increase in complex well architectures, demand for reduced drilling risks, adoption of ai based drilling optimization, growth of deepwater exploration, integration with digital oilfield platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of real time drilling data, rising use of directional and horizontal drilling, growing integration of software enhanced mwd, expansion of offshore drilling applications, increasing demand for high accuracy sensors.
The rising oil and gas exploration activities are expected to drive the growth of the measurement while drilling market in the coming years. Oil and gas exploration encompasses the processes aimed at discovering and evaluating potential underground or underwater hydrocarbon reservoirs for future extraction. The increase in exploration activities is driven by growing energy demand, as expanding populations and industrialization require more fuel to support economic development and daily consumption. Measurement while drilling supports these activities by providing real-time subsurface data, enabling more precise well placement, reducing drilling risks, and optimizing hydrocarbon recovery. For example, in September 2023, GOV.UK, a UK-based government website, reported that total government revenues from UK oil and gas production reached $9.90 billion (£9 billion) in the financial year 2022-2023, up from $1.54 billion (£1.4 billion). Consequently, the expansion of oil and gas exploration activities is propelling the growth of the measurement while drilling market.
Leading companies in the measurement while drilling market are focusing on technological advancements such as high-speed intelligent telemetry systems to improve real-time data transmission, enhance drilling accuracy, and reduce non-productive time. High-speed intelligent telemetry systems combine AI-driven data processing with downhole measurement sensors to transmit larger volumes of drilling and formation data to the surface faster than conventional mud-pulse telemetry, enabling precise well placement and continuous real-time monitoring. For example, in November 2024, SLB N.V., a U.S.-based energy technology company, launched the Stream(TM) high-speed intelligent telemetry system for complex well drilling. The system employs proprietary AI algorithms to increase data throughput and fidelity, delivering uninterrupted, high-quality subsurface measurements, improving geosteering accuracy, and allowing surface teams to make optimal drilling decisions in real time.
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 companies operating 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 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the measurement while drilling market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the measurement while drilling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
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.
Measurement While Drilling Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses measurement while drilling market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for measurement while drilling ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The measurement while drilling market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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