FX.co ★ Top 10 global oil companies

Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Aramco is recognized as the undisputed leader among the largest international oil companies. The oil and gas giant outpaces its rivals in terms of daily oil production rates and crude oil reserves. The market capitalization of the state-owned Saudi Aramco totals $2 trillion. In 2019, the petroleum company was acknowledged by Bloomberg the most profitable company in the world by revenue which was estimated at $111 billion. Saudi Aramco owns several oilfields of almost 260 billion barrels that accounts for 99% of the whole oil reserves in Saudi Arabia and at least 25% of the world’s available oilfields.

ExxonMobil (US)

ExxonMobil is ranked second among leading oil companies. Besides, it is one of the largest publicly traded companies in terms of market capitalization ($330 billion as of February 2019). In late 2018, ExxonMobile’s oil holdings were measured at 24.293 billion BOE (barrels of oil equivalent). The oil reserves amount to 9.26 billion barrels and gas reserves total 1.467 trillion cubic meters. The corporation holds stakes in 21 oil processing plants in 14 countries worldwide, in particular the US, Canada, France, Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Germany as well as Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Australia, and China. ExxonMobil’s stock is traded on global exchange floors.

Shell (Netherlands – UK)

The Royal Dutch Shell is the third largest company in the world in terms of revenue. In 2019, its market capitalization was valued at $251.59 billion. The oil and gas supermajor conducts exploration of oilfields in over 80 countries worldwide. As of late 2017, its reserves were assessed at 12.233 billion barrels of oil equivalent (oil holdings made up 4.613 billion barrels and natural gas was measured at 1.145 trillion cubic meters). Shell’s stock is traded on the leading exchange floors such as LSE, Euronext, and NYSE.

Chevron (US)

The fourth rank is given to Chevron, the US-based international oil corporation and the second largest American energy company after ExxonMobile. The bulk of its oil reserves is clustered in the US (29%), Australia (20%), and Kazakhstan (18%). The volume of its oil reserves totaled 12.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (the oil share was estimated at 6.118 billion barrels and natural gas came out at 894 billion cubic meters). In 2019, the market capitalization equaled $221.8 billion. Chevron owns 4 oil processing plants in the US and 1 – in Thailand. Moreover, the oil giant has stakes in 3 overseas oil processing plants in Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.

PetroChina (China)

PetroChina is ranked fifth among leading petroleum companies. In November 1999, it became the listed arm of the state-run China National Petroleum Corporation. The majority stake of PetroChina belongs to CNPC. In late 2018, the company’s oil holdings amounted to 7.64 billion barrels and its natural gas reserves were as big as 2.165 trillion cubic meters. In 2019, PetroChina’s market capitalization increased to $198 billion. The company owns 29 oil processing plants and petrochemical plants.

British Petroleum (UK)

The sixth line in the rating is occupied by BP plc. Almost one third of its revenue is generated through its operation in the US. As of late 2017, the company’s reserves were measured at 10.577 billion barrels of oil equivalent that was broken down as follows: crude oil – 4,803 billion barrels, gas condensate – 336 million barrels, and natural gas – 893 billion cubic meters. The market capitalization swelled to $141.4 billion. The multinational company operates in all areas of the oil and gas industry worldwide. Its key oilfields are located in the US, Angola, the UAE, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, and Iraq. Experts say the company has prospects of further expansion.

Total (France)

Total is another supermajor oil company in the world. Headquartered in Paris, the oil giant runs prolific business in over 130 countries. In 2019, its market capitalization was worth $127 billion. Total has confirmed oil reserves of 11.1 million barrels. The stock is listed on Euronext and NYSE. Despite US sanctions, Total actively invests in Russian oil and gas projects, including Yamal.

Petrobras (Brazil)

Petrobras is the 8th most powerful oil company. The semi-public multinational corporation has the market capitalization of over $101.7 billion. 10 years ago, Petrobras possessed oil reserves of 1.4 billion barrels and natural gas reserves of 309 billion cubic meters. The company operates enterprises in Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Venezuela, Nigeria, Tanzania, Mexico, and the US.

Rosneft (Russia)

The 9th line on the list belongs to Rosneft. The majority stake is held by the state-run Rosneftegas. The Russian integrated energy company entered the top 10 seven years ago and has firmly secured its leading status. In 2019, the market capitalization was $67.9 billion. Rosneft produces crude oil in the Russian regions rich in natural resources: West and East Siberia, South and Central Russia, in the Far East, and on the Arctic shelf. The company’s oil and gas reserves total 22.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent that is one of the largest resources in the world. No other company has surpassed Rosneft in terms of the volume of confirmed depots of liquid petroleum.

Lukoil (Russia)

The 10th rank in the top 10 goes to Lukoil. Its name is the combination of the acronym LUK (initials of the oil-producing cities of Langepas, Uray, Kogalym) and the English word “oil”. In 2011, Lukoil was acknowledged as the third largest non-state enterprise in the world in terms of revenue and the top company in terms of oil reserves. The market capitalization was worth $66.7 billion in 2019. The Russian oil supermajor participates in 16 successful projects of oil exploration and oil field development in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Columbia, Venezuela, Romania, and Saudi Arabia.