The Low-down on Sizing Up Suppliers

Big vs. Small Suppliers

Malcolm Gladwell’s book David and Goliath offers interesting perspective on how those possessing seemingly little in the way of resources can successfully take on more established players using their size and ingenuity to their advantage.

The promise of the little guy is certainly germane to the oil and gas industry. If a company or individual has an idea they believe has merit, there’s little to keep them from pursuing their idea in the oilfield. And if their products or services are good enough, customers will eventually beat a path to their door. Continue reading “The Low-down on Sizing Up Suppliers”

Top-rated Oil & Gas Industry Suppliers

EnergyPoint Header Image

With so much at stake in today’s oil and gas industry, customers are looking for both measured authenticity and established competence in their oilfield suppliers. The ability of the current group of top-rated suppliers to perform so consistently well in EnergyPoint’s customer satisfaction surveys is a testament to their commitment to, and talent for, providing a superlative customer experience.

Three of the recently finalized 2012 survey’s four main segment leaders are repeat winners — Helmerich & Payne in onshore drilling, Derrick Equipment in oilfield products, and Ensco in offshore drilling. Newpark Resources captured the top overall ranking in the oilfield services segment for the first time.

Continue reading “Top-rated Oil & Gas Industry Suppliers”

The Supplier Side of Shale

Shale Renaissance: A Look at the Supplier-side

Horizontal drilling, multi-stage fracturing and other innovative technologies have forever changed both economics and mechanics underlying oil and gas development in U.S. onshore markets. Moreover, it’s looking increasingly like these methods will spread to other parts of the globe.

Unlike for certain other segments, suppliers deserve much of the credit for today’s shale renaissance. And that’s not just our opinion. Since 2008, users of oilfield products and services participating in EnergyPoint’s customer satisfaction surveys have rated suppliers noticeably higher for horizontal wells and other shale-related applications. This is the case for overall satisfaction and across multiple product and service attributes.

Continue reading “The Supplier Side of Shale”

Watchful Eyes, Everywhere

The Oil and Gas Industry Searches for Ways to Improve

In the wake of the BP Macondo Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the oil and gas industry is, and will remain for years to come, under the microscope. And it’s not only politicians and environmentalists peering through the crude-stained eyepiece. The gawking multitudes this time include the media, investors, John Q. Public, and even industry participants.

Going forward, virtually every move the industry makes (or fails to make) will be subject to efforts to ascertain whether the industry can be trusted.  Will it take the steps needed to improve its performance, stewardship and reputation? Continue reading “Watchful Eyes, Everywhere”

The Rig Equipment Blues

Dark image of a drilling rig
Today’s wells cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars a day to drill. Thus, few things rankle operators like slowed activity.
 

To limit downtime, the equipment on rigs receives close attention. However, EnergyPoint Research surveys show many equipment providers are missing the mark. There’s room to improve in post-sale support, availability and delivery, and pricing. Without improvements, the status quo will only entice new entrants.

Continue reading “The Rig Equipment Blues”