Industry Players

Topics
1. Fully Integrated 2. Independent Producers 3. Independent Refiners 4. Independent Marketers 5. Pipeline Companies 6. Service Companies 7. Trade and Professional Organizations 8. Government Agencies and Research Organizations 9. National Oil Companies 10. References

The oil and gas industry is composed of a number of different companies and organizations that contribute to supplying refined products and natural gas. The industry is composed of fully-integrated oil and gas companies, independent oil and gas producers, refiners and marketers, pipeline operators, service companies, trade associations and government agencies. Operating companies are those organizations that perform core functions along the value chain such as exploration and refining.

Fully Integrated
These companies are engaged in all aspects of the oil and gas industry from exploration to marketing. The average consumer is well-acquainted with these companies by virtue of their branded gasoline stations. The fully-integrated companies or majors explore for and produce oil and gas around the world, own pipelines and tankers to transport this oil and gas, have refineries to process the crude oil into refined products, and sell these products through a global network of wholesale and retail outlets. Typical fully-integrated companies are ExxonMobil Corporation, BP, ChevronTexaco, ConocoPhillips Company and Royal Dutch/Shell. Please click on the following links to learn more: World's Largest Oil and Gas Companies

Biggest US Oil and Gas Companies

Go to the Topic Listing

Independent Producers
Independent oil and gas producers are those companies that only explore and/or produce crude oil and natural gas. These companies focus on their core strengths to compete with the major companies. They may have global operations and can range in size from under 25 to thousands of employees. The Independent Petroleum Association of America which represents these companies has over 8,000 members. Typical independent oil and gas producers are Apache Corporation, Devon Energy Corporation, Pioneer Natural Resources and XTO Energy Corporation. Please click on the following link to learn more: Biggest US Oil and Gas Companies Top 50 US Operators Ranked by 2007 Operated Production Data
Go to the Topic Listing

Independent Refiners
Independent refiners are those companies that purchase crude oil and process it into finished products. These companies may also own wholesale and retail marketing outlets (independent refiners and marketers) or sell their products to marketing companies. Many independent refiners are members of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association. Typical independent refiners are Frontier Oil Corporation, Holly Corporation, Sunoco, Inc., and Valero Energy Corporation. Please click on the following link to learn more: World's Largest Refiners Ranking of US Refineries
Go to the Topic Listing

Independent Marketers
Independent marketers are companies that purchase refined products, usually gasoline, and sell them at retail outlets. These companies would buy product from independent refiners or majors. This classification would include organizations whose primary business is gasoline sales such as RaceTrac and QuikTrip and major retailers such as Costcos, Albertson's and Wal-Mart who sell gasoline in addition to other merchandise. The Petroleum

Marketers Association of America and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America represent this group.
Go to the Topic Listing

Pipeline Companies
Pipeline companies transport crude oil, refined products, natural gas and natural gas liquids using networks of pipes and pumping or compressor stations. These companies may be independent operations or joint ventures of operating companies. Colonial Pipeline Company is a major interstate pipeline that moves from refined products from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast. Each day, it delivers an average of 80 million gallons of gasolines, kerosenes, home heating oils, diesel fuels and national defense fuels to shipper terminals in 12 states and the District of Columbia. It is owned by BP (17.96%), CITGO Petroleum (15.79%), Conoco (8.53%), Equilon (16.12%), Koch Industries (7.30%), Marathon Oil Company (2.82%), Phillips Petroleum (8.02%) and Union Oil Company of California (23.44%). The Trans Alaskan Pipeline System, used to move crude oil production from the Alaskan North Slope to Valdez, is owned by BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc. ( 50.01%), ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (20.34%), Amerada Hess Corporation (1.5%), Phillips Alaska Pipeline Corporation (1.42%), Phillips Transportation Alaska, Inc. (22.3%), Unocal Pipeline Company (1.36%) and Williams Alaska Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (3.08%). Natural gas pipelines such as El Paso Corp., Northern Natural Gas Co., Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. transport gas from fields to consumers. The American Gas Association represents interstate natural gas pipeline companies. Please click on the following links to learn more: Pipeline 101 US Interstate Gas Pipelines About US Natural Gas Pipelines US Interstate Oil Pipelines
Go to the Topic Listing

Service Companies
Service companies can range from organizations that rent drilling rigs to firms that build refineries. These organizations support the primary functions of the value chain. They can also include accounting and information management firms, financial institutions, and law firms. Representatives from this group are companies like Halliburton Company and Schlumberger.

Please click on the following link to learn more: Service Companies Oil & Gas Field Service Industry
Go to the Topic Listing

Trade and Professional Organizations

Trade and professional organizations support the industry and the its employees. Trade organizations collect industry data, hold meetings, and advocate public policy beneficial to the industry. They generally have offices in Washington, DC where they conduct their lobbying activities. American Petroleum Institute, American Gas Association and Independent Petroleum Association of America are leading oil and gas trade organizations. Professional organizations are focused on the industry's core technical skills. Organizations such as the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers conduct technical conferences and training seminars to keep their members upto-date on the latest technical developments. They have student chapters that help college students learn more about the industry and encourage them to pursue industry careers. Please click on the following links to learn more: Trade Associations Professional Organizations
Go to the Topic Listing

Government Agencies and Research Organizations

Government agencies regulate industry operations to ensure compliance with state and Federal laws and compile industry statistics. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and enforces standards on air and water quality. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates interstate pipeline operations and tariffs. The Department of Energy (DOE) collects industry data and conducts energy research. Individual states have regulatory agencies, such as the Railroad of Commission of Texas, that oversee the safe operation of oil and gas production. Please click on the following links to learn more: Government Agencies Research Institutes
Go to the Topic Listing

National Oil Companies

National oil companies are the oil and gas organizations of sovereign nations. They are part of the government and are typically found in major oil producing nations. These companies are among the largest in the world and include Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Petroleos de Venezuela. S.A. and Petroleos Mexicanos. Please click on the following links to learn more: World's Largest Oil and Gas Companies List of National Oil Companies The Role of National Oil Companies in the International Oil Market