Virtual Pipeline Global Market Report 2026

A virtual pipeline is a system or approach used to transport goods, typically energy resources like natural gas, without the use of conventional physical pipeline infrastructure. Rather than depending on fixed pipelines, virtual pipelines employ different transport methods, such as trucks or ships, to move compressed or liquefied gas to end-users or storage locations.

The primary fuel types utilized within virtual pipelines include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and others. Compressed natural gas (CNG) refers to natural gas stored at high pressure, enabling compact transportation and storage. Widely recognized as a cleaner alternative fuel, CNG finds applications in vehicle propulsion, heating, and cooking. Various transportation modes such as trucks, barges, railways, and ships are employed within virtual pipelines to cater to diverse end uses including commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors.

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.

Tariffs are impacting the virtual pipeline market by increasing costs of imported cryogenic tanks, compression equipment, transport trailers, and control systems used for CNG and LNG distribution. Industrial and transportation end-users in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported equipment, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on small-scale LNG deployments. These tariffs are increasing project capital requirements and extending deployment timelines. However, they are also encouraging domestic equipment manufacturing, localized assembly, and regional supply chain development for virtual pipeline infrastructure.

The virtual pipeline market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides virtual pipeline market statistics, including virtual pipeline industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a virtual pipeline market share, detailed virtual pipeline market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the virtual pipeline industry. This virtual pipeline 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 virtual pipeline market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.79 billion in 2025 to $1.9 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to limited pipeline infrastructure availability, rising natural gas demand in remote regions, early adoption of cng transportation models, growth of industrial energy consumption, development of small-scale lng technologies.

The virtual pipeline market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.32 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of hydrogen and biogas virtual pipelines, increasing investments in decentralized energy systems, rising demand for low-carbon fuel logistics, growth of heavy-duty lng transportation, increasing integration with smart energy management platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of small-scale lng distribution networks, increasing adoption of cng-based virtual pipelines, growing use of multi-modal transport solutions, rising deployment of modular gas storage systems, enhanced focus on remote energy supply solutions.

The rising demand for natural gas is anticipated to drive the expansion of the virtual pipeline market in the coming years. Natural gas is a flammable gas primarily composed of methane that is found underground and used as a fuel for heating, cooking, power generation, and transportation. Demand for natural gas is growing due to its status as a cleaner-burning fossil fuel, its wide applicability in electricity generation, industrial activities, and heating, as well as its role as a transition fuel in the global move toward lower-carbon energy sources. Virtual pipelines are employed to transport natural gas, especially in regions where conventional pipeline infrastructure is unavailable, economically unfeasible, or inadequate to satisfy demand. For example, in November 2025, according to a report published by the Energy Information Administration, a US-based government agency, domestic dry natural gas production in 2024 reached 37.72 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), representing a 0.2% increase compared to the 2023 level of 37.65 Tcf. Therefore, the growing demand for natural gas is fueling the growth of the virtual pipeline market.

Major companies operating in the virtual pipeline market are concentrating on the development of advanced transport-trailer solutions, such as high-capacity and lightweight virtual pipeline trailers, to improve delivery efficiency and operational flexibility. A virtual pipeline trailer is a specialized transportation system that stores compressed natural gas (CNG) in high-pressure vessels mounted on a trailer, enabling the efficient movement of natural gas without the need for a physical pipeline network. For example, in March 2023, Quantum Fuel Systems, a US-based alternative energy company, secured a large-scale order from VoltaGrid for its VPLite 45/40 trailers that incorporate high-capacity trailer technology. The VPLite 45/40 trailers provide an industry-leading gaseous capacity of around 472,000 standard cubic feet while weighing under 59,000 pounds when fully loaded. These trailers are approved for use in the United States and are engineered to be smaller and lighter than conventional trailers, making them easier to handle in confined spaces.

In May 2023, Superior Plus Corp. acquired Certarus Ltd. for an undisclosed sum, aiming to position itself as a distributor of low-carbon renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen. Certarus Ltd., known for its virtual pipeline solutions for natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen, enhances Superior Plus Corp.'s capabilities in the energy sector, aligning with the growing demand for cleaner energy alternatives.

Major companies operating in the virtual pipeline market are Eni S.p.A., National Petroleum Limited (Petronas), General Electric Company, Compass Natural Gas Partners LP (CNGP), Baker Hughes Company, Kinder Morgan Inc., Wartsila Corporation, Snam S.p.A., LightSail Energy Inc., Hexagon Composites ASA, Broadwind Inc., Pentagon Energy LLC, Certarus Ltd., SENER Grupo de Ingenieria S.A., Stabilis Solutions Inc., FIBA Technologies Inc., Galileo Technologies S.A., Gas Malaysia Berhad, NG Advantage LLC, Cobey Inc., REV LNG LLC, OsComp Systems Inc., CNG Services Limited, Xpress Natural Gas LLC, Marlin Gas Services Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the virtual pipeline market in 2025. It is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the virtual pipeline market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the virtual pipeline market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The virtual pipeline market consists of revenues earned by entities by natural gas transportation, distribution, logistics, and field gas processing and treating. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The virtual pipeline market also includes sales of compression facilities, storage tanks, transportation containers, safety equipment, and monitoring devices. 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.

Virtual Pipeline 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 virtual pipeline 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for virtual pipeline ? 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 virtual pipeline 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.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Fuel Type: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG); Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG); Other Fuel Types
• 2) By Mode Of Transport: Truck; Barge; Rail; Ship
• 3) By End-Use: Commercial; Industrial; Transportation
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Onsite CNG Compression; CNG Transportation And Distribution; CNG For Industrial And Commercial Use
• 2) By Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Small-Scale LNG; LNG Transportation And Distribution;LNG For Heavy-Duty Transport And Shipping
• 3) By Other Fuel Types: Hydrogen; Biogas; Propane; Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
• Companies Mentioned: Eni S.p.A.; National Petroleum Limited (Petronas); General Electric Company; Compass Natural Gas Partners LP (CNGP); Baker Hughes Company; Kinder Morgan Inc.; Wartsila Corporation; Snam S.p.A.; LightSail Energy Inc.; Hexagon Composites ASA; Broadwind Inc.; Pentagon Energy LLC; Certarus Ltd.; SENER Grupo de Ingenieria S.A.; Stabilis Solutions Inc.; FIBA Technologies Inc.; Galileo Technologies S.A.; Gas Malaysia Berhad; NG Advantage LLC; Cobey Inc.; REV LNG LLC; OsComp Systems Inc.; CNG Services Limited; Xpress Natural Gas LLC; Marlin Gas Services Ltd.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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