Oil is life for the modern technological age. Despite all efforts to switch to alternative energy and fuel, black gold still remains in price. Countries with oil reserves are lucky. They are part of OPEC, where oil prices are put forward, issues on its regulation and production are being addressed. There were also those who want to capitalize on its production and processing. And these are not always state-owned companies. Below are the largest companies in the world.
Oil value
Currently, it is impossible to survive without fuel or other petroleum products. Logistics of the whole world is built on the energy resource of black gold. If oil disappears, civilization will also disappear in its usual form. Without oil, humanity will lose plastic, coke, and many other materials familiar to us.
Fuel production at the world's largest companies is entirely based on oil. She goes to oil refineries, where the refining and rectification of raw materials. If you do not go into the full technological process, then at the exit we get gasoline, diesel, coke, various oils, kerosene, fuel for aircraft.
For example, polyethylene is obtained from the gasoline fraction and the wide carbon fraction. And these are packages in stores; here you can lose such a smallness without oil. In addition, nitron fiber is obtained from petroleum products, from which clothing similar to wool products is produced.
Mining and processing
Oil is extracted from the bowels of the earth in two ways: deep and surface. From the name their principle is clear. Therefore, we turn to the most complex and widespread - the deepest. So, very briefly and without details, below is a list of work performed during oil production. Thus, all the largest companies in the world work:
- Geological exploration. They find an oil field, sometimes they do not complicate the process and continue to develop the once abandoned field.
- The import of drilling equipment. A hole is drilled in the ground into which pipes are launched.
- Direct oil production. This includes its preliminary cleaning of sand by settling in sedimentation tanks and dehydration.
- Oil is delivered through pipes to an oil and gas refinery. There, various useful products described above are made from it.
Roughly speaking, oil comes quite ugly and has to be ennobled. Before it turns into fuel and the like, it passes through the ELOU block. Electric desalination and electric dehydration take place in it, that is, oil gets rid of salts and water. Their readings should be minimal so as not to cause corrosion of the equipment and tanks of the machine.
Demand creates supply
For the above reasons, it is obvious that oil is simply necessary for modern man. And accordingly, the greater the consumption, the greater its production. The processing and production indicators of the largest companies in the world since the 20th century have grown 10-20 times.
Such a need economically favors production companies. They literally bathe in gold. One of the highest salaries is for workers associated with oil production and refining. The owners of such firms are on the Forbs list and drive cool cars.
Oil and its economic role in the state
And, of course, the state is always happy to establish a monopoly on oil. The countries in which oil was found are mostly economically prosperous. Exceptions include African dictatorial regimes. Their oil money goes to the entertainment of their leaders and their associates and plundered on the way to the state treasury.
A prime example of the oil-money leap is Libya.As soon as the bloodthirsty dictator Gaddafi nationalized oil deposits, she began to work for the benefit of her own citizens, providing free medicine, electricity, education and other privileges. But something went wrong, Gaddafi’s regime was overthrown. And the country was divided into two poles - rebels and an internationally recognized government.
Oil brands
There are two reference grades of oil: Brent and WTI. There are also other varieties, however, trading on the exchange occurs only on them. Most companies extract other brands, but these are pricing for others. And they are repelled by comparing types of oil.
Some people ask: "What is a barrel?" So, this is an ordinary barrel with a volume of about 160 liters.
List of major oil and gas companies
As noted, oil is a profitable business. But also quite risky, in this business you must always be up to date. World oil prices are changing every day. In addition, the entrance to the club of oil workers is an elite one, just a mortal just can’t get to them for a holiday. Oil-related companies have been operating for a long time and do not tolerate competitors in their environment. Below is a list made up of 4 Forbes Global companies from around the world producing from 5 million barrels per day.
Top 4 Oil and Gas Companies
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Saudi Aramco. Arab oil company. The field is located in Saudi Arabia. The country has several major oil fields in the world. The company rightfully takes the first place, leaving the rest as an outsider. Her profit is more than $ 1,000,000,000 for, attention, one day! No wonder why life in Saudi Arabia is so carefree. The first field was discovered in 1930 by Standard Oil California. Already in 1980 it was nationalized and renamed Suadi Aramco. It is worth noting that the company is truly gigantic. It has at its disposal aircraft, helicopters and even an airport! It is not surprising if they deliver their workers from home to work on airplanes, and the head of the company travels by helicopter of the corporation. The company's production is about 12 million barrels per day.
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Gazprom Neft. The honorable second place among the companies of the world is occupied by the Russian enterprise. Not the most efficient in terms of economy, but production does not go far from Arab. The volume of "delivered" oil from the bowels of the earth is about 9.7 million barrels per day. The company originates in 1989, during the Soviet Union. Since Gazprom Neft is a limited liability company, most of its shares are owned by the state. Only a small part is in the hands of individuals or legal entities. It is the main supplier of gas to European countries. Annual revenue of about $ 150 billion.
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National Iranian Oil Company. The company has been engaged in oil production since the beginning of the 20th century, a kind of watchman for the oil and gas industry. Thanks to the efforts of the British, deposits were found in Iran, and their development began. In 1951, a successful attempt was made to nationalize the company by turning it into a state asset. The British company, which owned most of the assets, together with its government put forward a note of protest. An embargo was imposed on Iranian oil. And in 1953, the Iranian government was overthrown, and a loyal British sheikh was placed. The country produces about 6.4 million barrels per day.
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Exxon Mobil Corporation. The name of the owner of the company is covered in a mysterious halo, because its creator is D. Rockefeller. In 1911, due to antitrust law, he split his Standard Oil Company into two. These are Jersey Standard and Socony, however, they reunited in 1999 into one enterprise with the current name. The company produces about 5.3 million barrels per day.
Oil and gas companies worthy of special attention
- Hsbc Holdings plc. In the Forex ranking takes 14th place. The company's activities are not limited to activities related to oil, the same name is given to a bank established in 1985.They carried out their activities in China, but after the Communists came to power, assets had to be withdrawn. In this regard, the development of new markets began, now the company has influence in many parts of the world, including Russia. The company is distinguished by its oil analysts, who very accurately predicted oil prices. For 2016, their forecast was $ 45/1 barrel of oil, which was subsequently confirmed. For 2018, the company promises oil prices from $ 65 to $ 75. The company portends the global economic and energy crisis associated with the depletion of global oil reserves. Which is quite justified, mankind is slowly depleting the reserves of black gold.
- Company Petrobras. The largest oil and gas company in Brazil. It originates in 1953, it owes its foundation to the then president of Brazil. Then began geological exploration. And in 1968, large oil fields were found in the Campus basin. In 1993, Petrobras entered the Argentine market, gaining rights to explore and develop fields. Now the company produces about 2 million barrels per day.
Total
The largest companies in the world for a long time will compete in the number of barrels of oil produced per day. Every year, drilling technology is improved. This allows you to improve oil production in deep seams. However, oil is a fossil, and it can end. Therefore, humanity must move to other sources of energy. For example, on the growing popularity of electric cars.