The Global Surfactant for EOR Market was valued at USD 101 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 122 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.7% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This growth is being driven by the increasing adoption of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques in mature oil fields, technological advancements in surfactant formulations, and the rising demand for maximizing hydrocarbon extraction efficiency from existing reservoirs.

As the oil and gas industry prioritizes extending the life of mature fields and improving recovery rates, the focus intensifies on the key chemical suppliers providing innovative surfactant solutions. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Surfactant for EOR Industry—a blend of global chemical giants, specialty manufacturers, and regional leaders shaping the future of chemical EOR.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Anionic Sulfonates, Alkyl Polyglycosides, Customized Surfactant Blends

BASF SE is a global leader in the surfactant for EOR market, offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance chemicals designed to reduce interfacial tension and alter rock wettability. Their tailored surfactant solutions are engineered for stability in high-temperature, high-salinity reservoir conditions, making them a preferred partner for major oil companies worldwide.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Heavy investment in R&D for bio-based and environmentally friendly surfactants.

• Strategic collaborations with oilfield service companies for field trials and optimization.

• Commitment to developing sustainable chemistry solutions for the energy sector.

Download FREE Sample Report: Surfactant for EOR Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Stepan Company

Headquarters: Northfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Anionic Surfactants, Nonionic Surfactants, Specialty EOR Formulations

Stepan Company is a prominent specialty chemical manufacturer with a strong foothold in the EOR surfactant market. Its surfactants are widely used in both conventional and unconventional oil fields to enhance oil mobility and recovery efficiency. The company’s technical expertise allows for the customization of products to meet specific reservoir characteristics.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on developing cost-effective surfactant packages for large-scale EOR projects.

• Expansion of production capacity to meet growing global demand.

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8️⃣ 3. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Petroleum Sulfonates, Alkylbenzene Sulfonates, EOR Chemical Systems

As one of the largest integrated energy companies globally, CNPC plays a critical role in the surfactant for EOR market, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Through its chemical subsidiaries, CNPC develops and supplies surfactants tailored for the challenging conditions of Chinese oil fields, supporting the country’s strategic push for energy security.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Significant investment in domestic R&D for surfactant technologies.

• Large-scale application of surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding in major oilfields like Daqing.

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7️⃣ 4. Solvay S.A.

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Rhodafac® Surfactants, Amphoteric Surfactants, High-Performance EOR Solutions

Solvay is a key player in the specialty chemicals market, offering advanced surfactant technologies for enhanced oil recovery. Their products are known for their efficacy in reducing oil-water interfacial tension and improving sweep efficiency in diverse reservoir environments, from sandstone to carbonate formations.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of novel surfactant chemistries for harsh reservoir conditions.

• Focus on sustainability with products designed for improved environmental profiles.

Download FREE Sample Report: Surfactant for EOR Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Shell Chemicals

Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
Key Offering: NEODOL® Ethoxylates, Specialty Surfactants for EOR

Leveraging its deep-rooted expertise in the oil and gas sector, Shell Chemicals provides high-quality surfactants for EOR applications. The company’s offerings are integral to chemical flooding operations, helping to mobilize residual oil trapped in reservoir pore spaces after primary and secondary recovery.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Integration of surfactant technology with broader EOR project management.

• Research into next-generation surfactants for carbonate reservoirs.

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5️⃣ 6. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: TERGITOL™ Surfactants, ECOSURF™ EH Surfactants, EOR Specialty Chemicals

Dow is a leading global materials science company with a robust portfolio of surfactants for the oil and gas industry. Their products are designed to enhance oil recovery by effectively lowering interfacial tension and improving the displacement efficiency of injection fluids in both onshore and offshore fields.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of surfactants with high salinity and temperature tolerance.

• Commitment to sustainable innovation through its 2025 sustainability goals.

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4️⃣ 7. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Berol® Surfactants, Ethoxylated Alcohols, EOR Performance Chemicals

Nouryon is a dedicated specialty chemicals leader offering a range of surfactants that improve the efficiency of EOR processes. Their solutions are critical for increasing ultimate recovery factors and are used by operators globally to extend the productive life of oil fields.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on creating biodegradable surfactant options.

• Collaborations with academic institutions for fundamental EOR research.

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3️⃣ 8. Huntsman Corporation

Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas, USA
Key Offering: SURFONIC® Surfactants, Nonionic Surfactants, Custom EOR Formulations

Huntsman Corporation provides a diverse array of performance chemicals, including specialized surfactants for the EOR market. Their products help in altering the wettability of reservoir rocks and reducing capillary forces that trap oil, leading to significant improvements in recovery rates.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Investment in surfactant technologies for unconventional resource development.

• Development of multi-functional chemical blends for complex EOR projects.

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2️⃣ 9. Shandong Polymer Biochemicals Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Anionic Sulfonates, Polymer-Surfactant Blends, Cost-Effective EOR Chemicals

Shandong Polymer Biochemicals is a significant regional player, particularly strong in the Asia-Pacific market. The company specializes in manufacturing surfactants and related chemicals that are essential for chemical EOR methods, offering competitive solutions tailored to the needs of local operators.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on scaling production to meet regional demand growth.

• Development of products suited for the specific geological features of Asian oil fields.

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1️⃣ 10. Oil Chem Technologies

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Specialty EOR Surfactants, Fluorosurfactants, Wettability Alteration Agents

Oil Chem Technologies is a specialized provider of chemicals for the oil and gas industry, with a strong focus on EOR applications. The company offers advanced surfactant solutions that are critical for maximizing hydrocarbon recovery from challenging and mature reservoirs.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expertise in designing surfactant packages for specific reservoir chemistries.

• Focus on providing technical support and optimization services for EOR projects.

Get Full Report Here: Surfactant for EOR Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Surfactant for EOR is Smarter and More Sustainable

The surfactant for EOR market is undergoing a significant evolution. While conventional anionic sulfonates continue to dominate, the industry is increasingly investing in bio-based alternatives, nanotechnology-enhanced formulations, and digital tools for optimized application.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• R&D expansion into biosurfactants derived from renewable feedstock

• Integration of nano-surfactants for superior interfacial tension reduction

• Growing adoption of surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding in mature fields

• Strategic partnerships between chemical suppliers and oil producers for tailored solutions

Get Full Report Here: Surfactant for EOR Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential chemicals for oil recovery—they’re pioneering the next generation of EOR technologies that will define the future of resource extraction.