Pipeline Transport in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: September 2024
SIC H49.500Revenue
£1.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
1,455
Businesses
9
Wages
£XX.Xm
Pipeline Transport in the UK industry analysis
Natural gas reserves in the UK, domestic electricity production and the world prices of natural gas and crude oil significantly influence the performance of pipeline operators. The complex infrastructure of long-distance pipeline transport lends itself to a limited number of operators rather than a host of companies in charge of various sections across different regions. As a result, most companies in the industry operate as monopolies, tightly regulated by public sector agencies like Ofgem and NIAUR. National Gas Transmission dominates the industry through its ownership of the National Transmission System (NTS) in Great Britain.
Trends and Insights
- Regulation shapes industry performance. The pipeline transport industry heavily relies on regulatory decisions made by agencies like Ofgem and NIAUR. Price controls, transmission charges and allowances significantly influence the industry's revenue trends.
- High natural gas prices have curtailed demand for pipeline transport. This has led to a reduction in pipeline transport volumes, as premises cut back on usage due to soaring costs.
- The North East's connection to Norway is a boon. With Norway producing a significant share of Europe's gas, businesses located here have a distinct advantage in terms of easier access and seamless transfers, thanks to the region's vast coastline.
- Competition in the Pipeline Transport industry is limited. Due to the necessity of complex, specialised infrastructure, only a few companies, operating under regulatory bodies, dominate market shares in this sector.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.8bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The regulatory environment is a key driver of revenue
- Revenue is dependent mainly on the regulatory decisions of Ofgem (UK) and, to a lesser extent, NIAUR (NI). The transmission charges levied upon users of the gas NTS are derived from price controls set by Ofgem and NIAUR.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Renewables will continue to draw demand away from natural gas
- As part of targets to decarbonise the electricity system by 2035, the UK government has put in place targets to expand wind generation capacity to 50GW by 2030. This will require a huge jump in deployment of wind power assets over the next five years.
Biggest companies in the Pipeline Transport in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
National Gas Transmission plc | 1,421.0 | |
Exolum Pipeline System Ltd | 92.5 | |
GNI (UK) Ltd | 50.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Natural gas, Petroleum and Water and other liquids. Natural gas is the largest segment of the Pipeline Transport in the UK.
Trends and Insights
High natural gas prices have constrained volumes
- The National Transmission System (NTS) comprises nearly 8,000km of high-pressure pipelines connecting nine onshore processing terminals, import terminals and one offshore terminal in the North Sea. National Gas Transmission plc operates the NTS.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK
- Electricity Transmission in the UK
- Gas Distribution in the UK
- Renewable Electricity Generation in the UK
International industries
- Oil Pipeline Transportation in the US
- Gas Pipeline Transportation in the US
- Refined Petroleum Pipeline Transportation in the US
- Organic Chemical Pipeline Transportation in the US
- Pipeline Transport in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Firms in this industry transport gases, liquids, water, slurry and other commodities by pipeline. The industry covers long-distance connections between countries or distribution grids, rather than local supply facilities. Players also operate pump stations.
What's included in this industry?
Natural gasLiquids, water, slurry and other commoditiesPetroleum productsCompanies
National Gas Transmission plcExolum Pipeline System Ltd GNI (UK) LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
SLURRYGAS TRANSMISSION SYSTEMLIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG)Industry Code
SIC 49.50 - Pipeline Transport in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Regulation shapes industry performance. The pipeline transport industry heavily relies on regulatory decisions made by agencies like Ofgem and NIAUR. Price controls, transmis...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
High natural gas prices have curtailed demand for pipeline transport. This has led to a reduction in pipeline transport volumes, as premises cut back on usage due to soaring ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The North East's connection to Norway is a boon. With Norway producing a significant share of Europe's gas, businesses located here have a distinct advantage in terms of easi...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition in the Pipeline Transport industry is limited. Due to the necessity of complex, specialised infrastructure, only a few companies, operating under regulatory bodie...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
National Gas Transmission plc dominates operates the National Transmission System (NTS) in Great Britain. The company owns significant infrastructure, including almost 8,000k...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of National Gas Transmission plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Exolum Pipeline System Ltd 's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of GNI (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for National Gas Transmission plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Exolum Pipeline System Ltd , and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for GNI (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Ofgem's RIIO price controls impact the pipeline transport industry. As a regulator, Ofgem determines the revenue pipeline operators can collect, promoting efficiency and fost...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
High profitability funds the industry's growth. As pipeline transport has a somewhat monopoly power and needs hefty capital investment, operators leverage their substantial p...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £1.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 9 businesses in the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 8.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 3.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Pipeline Transport in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Pipeline Transport market in United Kingdom are National Gas Transmission plc, Exolum Pipeline System Ltd and GNI (UK) Ltd
What does the Pipeline Transport in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Natural gas and Liquids, water, slurry and other commodities are part of the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Pipeline Transport in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is National Gas Transmission plc.
How competitive is the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Pipeline Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
