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How do the oil producing states actually produce the oil? Do they have the knowhow and technical facilities or do they subcontract to specialized firms?

My understanding is that some do - Aramco, Petrobras - other don't - Pemex.

Facts, selfish little bastards. They don't even care about your feelings.

by Francois in Paris on Mon May 19th, 2008 at 02:03:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Some do, or are able to hire Western oil-service companies - the Halliburtons and Schlumbergers et al - (like Aramco, or the Russians). Some have the competence but are hindered by domestic political considerations (at various times: PDVSA, Pemex, the Russians).

But generally, oil service companies have more access than oil majors.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Mon May 19th, 2008 at 02:57:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Oh, I don't think there is any oil company which 100% autonomous for technology. Even the sharpest western oil companies depends on service suppliers like KBR and Schlum.

What I doubt is how much unique expertise those western companies have to offer to national companies. I'm not convinced the market is so big.
 

Facts, selfish little bastards. They don't even care about your feelings.

by Francois in Paris on Mon May 19th, 2008 at 03:12:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
What the oil majors offer is the ability to coordinate massively complex projects, and to be a credible counterparty to all other players in large projects.

As the example of LNG shows, this is a very rare and hard to replicate competence - no LNG project has ever been run without an oil major involved and in charge.

That requires managerial competence, technical competence (in both cases to hire and control the sub-contractors), a very strong balance sheet, and political 'survafe' (to deal with politicians locally and at home).

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Mon May 19th, 2008 at 03:39:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Too bad most new fields aren't massive, even if they are massively complex.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Mon May 19th, 2008 at 04:14:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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