MEDIA RELEASE PR32278
Platts Announces Top 250: The World's Top Performing Energy Companies
SINGAPORE, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Asian, Regional Company Performance on the Rise; Resurgence Noted Among
Non-Oil Companies, Especially Electricity
Major oil companies have maintained their stronghold as the world's most
financially effective energy businesses, according to the 2008 Platts Top 250
Global Energy Company rankings announced here Monday evening. But the rankings
also point to a performance resurgence by non-oil firms, such as electric
utilities, and to the rising importance and influence of Asia-Pacific companies.
Against a backdrop of climbing global demand, record-high prices and market
volatility, it was Exxon Mobil Corp. that once again surpassed its competitors to
take the number one spot in the Platts Top 250 for the fourth consecutive year.
In second and third place were Royal Dutch Shell plc and France's Total SA,
respectively.
While US companies still make up the largest overall bloc in the Platts
rankings, America's share of the top spots is down 30% since the rankings began
seven years ago. Behind Exxon Mobil, this year's US top finishers were Chevron
Corp., Valero Energy Corp. and ConocoPhillips. Participation in the lead 100
slots by Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) has risen by 38% since 2001. The
best 2008 EMEA performers were Shell, Total, BP, Russia's Rosneft and Italy's
ENI. Asia's share of the Top 250's upper tier has climbed nearly 30% across the
ranking's history. This year's top performing Asian energy business was
PetroChina Co., Ltd., which placed ninth worldwide, and ahead of many long-
entrenched names on the roster. Second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers
in Asia were China Petroleum & Chemical Company (known as Sinopec), Reliance
Industries Ltd., Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd., and PTT Plc.
"The globalization of the energy marketplace is increasingly reflected in the
results of the Platts rankings," said Platts President Victoria Chu Pao. "We're
pleased to recognize the leadership achievements of so many regional energy
companies that continue to climb the ranks of the global Top 250."
In addition to unveiling the Top 250 Global Energy Companies, which scores
the world's best performing energy companies on a combination of assets,
revenues, profits and return on invested capital, Platts on Monday celebrated the
accomplishments of the Top 15 Asian Energy Companies, the Top 10 Fastest-Growing
Asian Energy Companies, and the Top Asian Energy Companies in each of eight
industry segments. To be ranked, companies must have assets greater than (US) $2
billion and must be publicly listed. The performance rankings were unveiled at
the 3rd annual Asia Leadership Awards recognition dinner at the St. Regis Hotel
in Singapore, attended by some 200 energy executives, largely from the Asia-
Pacific region.
A year-on-year comparison of the Top 250 shows that all of the companies
gaining ground within the lead 20 positions are non-U.S. companies. In fact,
three of the largest energy companies in the world are now Russian: Rosneft Oil
Company ranks sixth and Gazprom OAO jumped seven places to 10th, overtaking
fellow Russian Federation company Lukoil, now in 11th place. And within the top
50, Russia holds seven slots and the Asia-Pacific region holds eight, three of
which are Indian companies.
In terms of industry sector performance, the 2008 Platts ranking showed that
integrated oil companies maintained their strong presence in the list's upper
tier, as they have for years. But it also revealed a resurgence of non-oil
companies within the 50-100 ranks. Platts believes that three factors
contributed: a wave of mergers and takeovers; improved hedging strategies by
power and gas companies and normalization after price hits in 2004-2006; and
accelerated trends of deregulation, public listing and/or financial reporting
among eastern European, Middle Eastern, Asian and Latin American energy
businesses.
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company and Saudi Electricity Company are the first
from the Persian Gulf region to place in the Top 250 rankings, illustrating a
trend toward greater financial data transparency and disclosure. In addition to
this latter placement, it's notable that electric utilities, at large, are now
ahead of where they were in 2005 in comparison with oil majors' profits.
Now in its second year, the Platts roster of the world's Fastest-Growing
Energy Companies by revenue showed 11 of the 14 rapid-growth firms of 2007
returned to the list in 2008. Notable regional movements included the first-time
presence of a Middle East firm in the lead 20 slots. Japan's sole representation
within the roster, Inpex Holdings Inc. jumped from spot 17 in 2007 to sixth place
in 2008.
Offering the evening's keynote address was Singapore's Senior Minister of
State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran, who highlighted not only Asia's
increased representation within the Platts Fastest Growing and Top 250 lists, but
also the expanding role that Asia and the Pacific Rim are assuming in the global
energy sustainability dialogue. Prior to the Asia Leadership Awards recognition
dinner, energy company representatives discussed energy outlook and key industry
issues at the 6th annual Platts Top 250 Executive Summit.
The evening's key sponsor for the third consecutive year was Logical
Information Machines, a provider of data, analytics and research to the energy
and financial sectors and whose customers are among the world's largest hedge
funds, mutual funds, banks and energy concerns.
For the complete Platts Top 250 Global Energy Companies list and additional
About Platts
Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading
global provider of energy and commodities information. With nearly a century of
business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. An
independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions,
nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices
worldwide. Platts' real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences
help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers,
analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better
trading and investment decisions. Additional information is available at
SOURCE Platts
/CONTACT: Kathleen Tanzy
+1-212-904-2860
kathleen_tanzy@platts.com
Asia: Casey Yew
+65-653-06552
Europe: Shiona Ramage
+44207-1766153/
(MHP)
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