When it comes to the oil and gas markets, the terms used to describe the largest companies do not do their size justice. With revenues that surpass many countries’ gross domestic product, these companies keep our lights on, factories producing and transportation moving. So who are the players in this lucrative, and essential field.
1 Saudi Aramco
Making the top of our list is Saudi Aramco. A state-owned enterprise, it is the largest oil and gas company by revenue, which should come at no surprise given the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vast oil and gas reserves over which it has the lion’s share of exploration and exploitation rights. The company can boast access to the second largest proven reserves of oil.
- Sinopec
One of China’s major oil and gas companies, Sinopec is traded on the Hong Kong, Shanghai, and New York stock exchanges, though it’s parent company, the Sinopec Group, is state owned. Though it is mainly active in the downstream markets, Sinopec’s businesses include oil and gas exploration refining, and marketing; as well as other activities in the petrochemical markets.
- China National Petroleum Corporation
Another behemoth player, the CNPC is one of the largest integrated energy groups in the world. CNPC forms the government-owned parent company of publicly listed PetroChina, and has seen many waves of restructuring and reorganization. Operating internationally since 1993, CNPC is active in over 30 countries.
- PetroChina
Though it is already mentioned above, PetroChina deserves its own mention in this list as the publicly traded arm of CNPC. Concerning itself with the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas reserves, this 18-year-old company has quickly become one of the major international players in terms of revenue in the oil and gas sector.
- Exxon Mobil
The first company in the Western Hemisphere to make the list is the US oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil. The company can trace its roots back to 1870 and Standard Oil. 1999 saw the company become the brand we know it as today with the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Though its revenues rank it in the top-5 of oil and gas companies, in terms of production the company ranks in the teens when compared to the state-owned enterprises.