Publications

Read some of our experts’ perspectives on important issues—for our clients and their industries—that have been published in media outlets all over the world.

How Oil and Gas Companies Can Thrive in a Shallower Profit Pool
May 14, 2018 | Forbes.com
Regain a competitive edge by reducing costs, embracing digital and differentiating yourself in the market.
Thriving in a Shallower Profit Pool for Oil and Gas
April 25, 2018 | Bain Brief
Regain a competitive edge by reducing costs, embracing digital and differentiating yourself in the market.
Royal Dutch Shell and Total flirt with becoming utilities
March 28, 2018 | Oil & Gas | The Economist | Media mention
Julian Critchlow, a partner with Bain & Company draws that comparison between the risks facing the oil industry with those that faced Eastman Kodak when its business was eclipsed by digital photography and social media photo-sharing. For the oil industry, increased electrification is bound
Accelerating Capital: 2018 Oil & Gas Industry Planning Outlook
November 22, 2017 | Bain Brief
Cost-reduction efforts of recent years have laid the groundwork for a return to sustainable capital investment in the coming year.
Full Potential Oil Refining in a Challenging Environment
September 21, 2016 | Bain Brief
Reﬁners have enjoyed comparatively good times as the rest of the oil industry suffered, but they should prepare for a more competitive season ahead.
Technology, Strategy and People: Becoming a Digital Oil and Gas Company
May 25, 2016 | Bain Brief
Whether a leader or fast follower, every oil and gas company will need to develop a strategic plan for how it will use digital technology to gain a competitive advantage over the next three to ﬁve years.
Long-Term Survival for OFSE Companies
April 25, 2016 | Oil & Gas Financial Journal
Many OFSE executives are coming to grips with the fact that we may be at a once-in-a-generation strategic crossroads that demands conscious and careful decisions about the future.
Beyond Price: Managing Service Suppliers for Value at the Front Line
March 30, 2016 | Oil & Gas | Bain Brief
Contractors and suppliers make up more than half the operating costs for some oil and gas companies. With oil prices so low, careful and proactive management of supplier performance has become more important than ever. Empowering the front line to monitor the scope of work and contract terms can
How Offshore Drilling Can Transform to Thrive in the Long Term
March 30, 2016 | Oil & Gas | Bain Brief
Even before oil prices began to drop, rates for drilling rigs had begun to sag due to an overcapacity in the market. The subsequent decline in offshore activity is an existential threat to the drilling industry. To survive, drillers will have to work more closely with operators and suppliers to
Beyond Cost Cutting: The Opportunity for Oilfield Services and Equipment Companies
December 02, 2015 | Bain Brief
Upstream oilfield service and equipment companies have been among the hardest hit in the energy sector in the price decline since mid-2014. To reposition themselves to survive a long-term low-cost environment, executives are restructuring to reduce costs while optimizing their portfolios.