ADI assessed the global drag reducing agents (DRA) market, focusing on heavy crude applications and midstream pipeline infrastructure. The analysis mapped the competitive landscape and technological differentiation between suspension and solution-based DRA chemistries. Regional growth was modeled against pipeline utilization and production forecasts for North America and the Middle East.
The client
Specialty chemical manufacturer
The situation
Uncertainty regarding the technical feasibility and market size for DRA in high-viscosity heavy oil pipelines.
ADI’s contributions
Technology benchmarking
Compared performance characteristics of leading DRA products across various crude API gravities and flow regimes.
Customer segment mapping
Identified key midstream operators and mapped DRA adoption rates across specific pipeline systems in North America.
Economic value modeling
Quantified the trade-offs between capital expenditure for pump stations and operational spend on DRA injections.
Expert network interviews
Leveraged primary research with pipeline engineers to validate performance constraints and product switching costs.
Key outcomes
- Informed product development strategy for heavy oil DRAs and prioritized high-value midstream customer targets.
More insights
Newsletter: Data center power, ammonia, and biofuel mandates
In the June 2026 edition, AI-driven demand is surging, but constraints in grid capacity, permitting, and equipment supply are reshaping how and where data centers expand. Developers are increasingly embedding power considerations into site selection, shifting toward distributed infrastructure models and prioritizing regions with faster, more reliable access to electricity. As power availability becomes a […]
The growing challenge of industrial R&D
For much of the 20th century, R&D was viewed as a long-term investment in scientific discovery, often insulated from day-to-day operational pressures. Success was measured in patents, breakthrough technologies, and the promise of future growth. Today, that view no longer holds. Across energy, chemicals, and broader industrial sectors, R&D has been reshaped by a combination […]
IMO’s safety guidelines pave the way for ammonia-fueled ships
Ammonia has increasingly emerged as a potential low-carbon marine fuel to support decarbonization in the maritime sector due to its carbon-free combustion profile. However, compared to methanol, ammonia has lagged behind in commercial adoption as a low-carbon marine fuel. This is primarily due to its toxicity, which requires more complex storage and handling systems, as […]