Oil and gas

After an introduction to the oil and gas industry and its structure, Chapter 15 notes how economic pressures have motivated the formation of alliances. It then identifies different types of alliance in the sector, the motives for forming them, and the benefits that are expected to result. Oil and gas alliances involve nationally strategic and environmentally sensitive assets, and this chapter illustrates the political pressures which they can experience as a result. While there is legitimate concern in host countries about the exploitation of national assets by international oil companies, such companies may also face pressures that stem from political opportunism and corruption. The chapter closes by noting how forming alliances with IT providers to speed up digital applications has become an essential strategy for many oil and gas companies.