10 world’s biggest oil and gas companies, as of released by Forbes for the year 2008 (the indexing combines the aggregate of 4 different criteria - sales, profits, assets and market value):
Figures are in the US dollars.
1. ExxonMobil (United States)
The history of ExxonMobil stretches back all the way to the 19th century, through the inception of Standard Oil company founded by John D. Rockefeller.
From a small outfit, Standard Oil grew enormously until it was considered a monopoly, forcing the authority to split the company to 34 different companies. Exxon and Mobil are two of the resulting new entities, which in 1999 decided to merge in a so-called the biggest merger in history. Fortune also named ExxonMobil as the world’s most profitable company, ahead of Shell and General Electric.
Sales = $358.6 billion, profits = $40.61 billion, assets = $242.08 billion, market value = $465.51 billion.
2. Royal Dutch Shell (Netherlands)
Two companies - Royal Dutch Petroleum of Netherlands and Shell Transport and Trading Company of United Kingdom decided to merge their operations in the early 20th century. The result is the formation of The Royal Dutch Shell Group with 2 main offices, one in The Hague (Netherlands), and another in London (United Kingdom). The formation of the new entity also signaled the group’s intention to compete with the then dominant Standard Oil company. After more than a century, seems like it is doing well.
Sales = $355.78 billion, profits = $31.33 billion, assets = $266.22 billion, market value = $221.09 billion.
3. BP (United Kingdom)
The founding of BP was almost concurrent with the formation of the Shell Group, but it had to endure a path full of controversies and complexity. BP’s history is always linked to the middle east oil struggle, America’s CIA agents, and the coup of the Iranian’s power to protect the company’s commercial interest in the country. After merging with Amoco, the group was known as BP Amoco albeit for only a while before reverting back to BP. While BP originally denotes British Petroleum, the company is transitioning its name to Beyond Petroleum to reflect its global reach and operation.
Sales = $281.03 billion, profits = $20.60 billion, assets = $236.08 billion, market value = $204.94 billion.
4. Total (France)
The French government was once approached by the Shell Group to be part of the company, but instead of agreeing for a partnership deal, the then Prime Minister, Raymond Poincare decided to form something original, and something French. Under his directive, a company by the name of Compagnie francaise des petroles, or CFP was founded in 1924 which was also made as a commercial tool in case of war. A number of mergers and acquisition ensued in the next few decades, before the company settling with its new name Total.
Sales = $199.74 billion, profits = $19.24 billion, assets = $165.75 billion, market value = $181.80 billion.
5. Chevron (United States)
Chevron is also another spin-off from the Standard Oil company, and made its mark after discovering the world’s largest oil field in Saudi Arabia in the 50s. Chevron has commercial interests in pretty much everything related to oil and gas - exploration, production, transportation, logistics, marketing and trading, manufacturing, polymer, chemicals and power. The company operates in more than 80 countries worldwide, providing employment to more than 50,000 people across all major continents.
Sales = $203.97 billion, profits = $18.69 billion, assets = $148.79 billion, market value = $179.97 billion.
6. Gazprom (Russia)
Gazprom is Russia’s largest company, and controls as much as 90% of the country’s overall production of gas. Its overall capacity also accounts for more than 15% market share of the world’s gas reserve. On top of that, the company boasts its presence by owning a gas pipeline network stretching some 150 thousand kilometers in length, currently the longest pipeline in the world. Apart from oil and gas, Gazprom also has business interests in finance, insurance, banking, communication, media, agriculture and construction.
Sales = $81.76 billion, profits = $23.30 billion, assets = $201.72 billion, market value = $306.79 billion.
7. ConocoPhillips (United States)
ConocoPhillips is listed among the Six Supermajors alongside ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron and Total. The Supermajor refers to the world’s largest non-state owned energy companies. As of today, the company operates in close to 40 countries worldwide, with its headquarter located in Texas, United States, and employing more than 30,000 staff. Conoco runs service stations under different brand names such as ProJET (Malaysia), COOP (Switzerland) and Turkpetrol (Turkey).
Sales = $171.50 billion, profits = $11.89 billion, assets = $177.76 billion, market value = $129.15 billion.
8. ENI (Italy)
ENI or Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi is an Italian-based, government backed multinational company started in the 1920s with the official incorporation finalized about 30 years later. With strong presence inside its country of origin and worldwide, the company is now ranked as the third largest oil refiner in Europe, behind Shell and Total. ENI’s core businesses include exploration and production, gas, power, energy, engineering, technology and construction.
Sales = $119.27 billion, profits = $13.70 billion, assets = $128.015 billion, market value = $127.38 billion.
9. Petrobras (Brazil)
Based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Petrobras inception was highly credited to the country’s two-time President, Getulio Vargas, whose political career ended with a suicide. Between 1950s up to the turn of the 20th century, Petrobras was the monopoly for the oil and gas industry in Brazil and played a big part in driving the country’s economy. Apart from its native country, the company also has significant presence in North America, South America, Africa, Europe and Asia.
Sales = $87.52 billion, profits = $11.04 billion, assets = $129.98 billion, market value = $236.67 billion.
10. PetroChina (China)
One of the most profitable companies in Asia, PetroChina was also ranked by Forbes as the largest company in China, and 55th in the overall worldwide ranking. Through prudent management and operation, the company has been presented with a string of awards by international magazines that include the best company in dividend payout policy, best investor relation, and best corporate governance. PetroChina is publicly traded in a few major stock exchanges including New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Sales = $88.24 billion, profits = $18.21 billion, assets = $111.70 billion, market value = $546.14 billion.
0 comments