U.S. Barite Market: Trends, Demand, and Growth Outlook
The U.S. barite market size was estimated at USD 513.6 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030. The market is primarily driven by the increasing offshore oil and gas drilling activities. Barite is added to the fluid used for drilling oil and natural gas wells to increase its density. The U.S. oil & gas industry is one of the largest markets for barite. A steady rise in tight oil production has played a pivotal role in driving market growth. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. crude oil production was at a record high of 13.3 million barrels per day (b/d) in December 2023. However, it is projected to experience a slight dip in the middle of 2024 and will surpass the December 2023 record by February 2025. Barite is a versatile mineral that has several important uses in the healthcare industry. Barite is widely used as a radiopaque agent in diagnostic medical tests including X-rays and CT scans...