Energy Industry Intel & Commentary
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) operates just about everywhere oil and gas is extracted, enjoying a hearty share of the market for integrated oilfield equipment. Yet global reach and a wide-ranging portfolio of products do not necessarily translate to a better customer experience—for NOV or its competitors. EnergyPoint’s most recent survey data suggest NOV’s customer satisfaction …
Conceptualizing, fabricating and installing the labyrinth of integrated systems and equipment required for today’s massive subsea projects are some of the most complex tasks in the oil and gas industry. Without question, the daunting challenges at these depths contribute to the historically low customer satisfaction ratings for subsea products we have observed in our surveys …
Continue reading “Cameron Int’l Making Its Way To New Depths”
A lot of life is about expectations — when they are not met, we tend to react negatively. Business is the same way. While it might feel good to make lofty claims concerning the reliability, value or benefit of our products or services, if doing so leads to unrealistically high customer expectations, we’re doing ourselves and our …
Despite its relatively small size and narrow focus, Lufkin Industries‘ products are iconic within the petroleum industry. Glance at virtually any photo of a West Texas oilfield, and you’ll likely see at least one gracefully oscillating Lufkin pump jack. The oilfield’s a pretty practical place, but there’s always been something sublime about that particular image. With …
Continue reading “Sizing Up GE + Lufkin Industries – Part 1”
In the 1970s, J.D. Power began publishing his ratings and rankings of initial quality as reported by new car buyers. The publishing of these results, which were based on comprehensive independent surveys designed and conducted by his firm, were notable for two reasons. First, he published the entire set of rankings (i.e., top to bottom, first …
One would think E&P companies would be cheering. Nominal hydraulic fracturing capacity looks on pace to rise 25 percent or more this year. And advances in technology promise to bolster both the potency and cleanliness of the increasingly relied-upon service. Yet, against the backdrop of capacity growth and technological advances, suppliers of frac services are earning relatively …
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 …
TETRA Technologies is a good example of how top-level leadership can impact a company. The provider of completion fluids and other oilfield products and services experienced a dramatic 90% stock price deterioration beginning August 2008, as the oilfield supply declined less than 60%. The outsize fall culminated with the resignation of the company’s long-term CEO in March 2009. Since …
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 …
When oilfield suppliers make outsized claims regarding a new technology or design, we, like many in the industry, can be skeptical. Looking good on paper doesn’t always produce repeatable results for customers. Over-promoted offerings spawn the kinds of high expectations that lead to low customer ratings.