Market Challenges of Oilfield Biocides and Bio Solvents Market, 2016 1 | Page 3

Biocides can be classified into two types such as oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides. They act as
anti-microbial agents in water associated with crude oil production. Microbial control depends on
the dosage and lifetime of the biocides. Biocides only have its effect under its presence but after
removal, bacteria will start growing again, hence has to be added periodically across the oil
production.

Bio solvents are those which originated through renewable resources of biological origin such as
plants, fruits and so on. Bio solvents are mainly in liquid form, with relatively lower amount of
carbon in it. The global oilfield bio solvents market in terms of volume was estimated to be 65.9
KT in 2014 and is projected to decline by 15.2% in 2015 as compared to 2014.
The global biocides market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC and RoW. In 2014,
North America is the major market followed by Europe and APAC. North America is the major
consumer and producer of oilfield biocides and bio-solvents across the world. It is due to high
production of shale oil and gas activities in North America. Hydraulic fracturing is used for fracking
of the shale rocks, in which fracking fluids are used. In the fracking fluids composition, the share of
biocide is only 0.001%. Biocides are highly used in production and fracking applications in countries
like the U.S, Canada and Mexico. Hydraulic fracturing is the major application followed by
production application in North America.