Oil industry

While our economy depends on secure and competitive energy supplies, the oil industry is under pressure on all sides: In recent years, gas and renewable energies have intensified competition. Moreover, structural changes have turned up-and-coming national oil companies into a threat for major global players. And finally, global warming and natural resource scarcity are putting even more pressure on the oil industry.

Our economy depends on secure and competitive energy supplies. Since the beginning of the last century, the oil industry has provided secure and cheap energy.

However, competition from other fossil fuels (gas and coal) and green energies (such as bio-ethanol, wind, etc) are increasingly challenging the oil industry's business model and forcing it to transform itself. While increasing crude oil prices are providing solid upstream results, high product prices are putting pressure on downstream operations. What's more, increasing product quality standards and new issues like mandatory bio-fuel contents in the EU require investments and drive complexity. The shift in consumer attitudes has also increased the pressure on the oil industry, forcing it to address sustainability and environmental issues.

To ensure its future success, the oil industry must master the following downstream changes:

• Achieve the right strategic position in the changing energy mix with a reliable, competitively priced and ecologically acceptable energy supply
• Capture growth opportunities in emerging economies outside Western Europe and North America
• Secure access to oil supplies, particularly with regard to difficult (e.g. deep sea) and costly resources (e.g. oil sands)
• Further optimize refining operations by balancing the different crude supplies, increasing product supply competition from upstream areas, changing market product needs and meeting all regulatory requirements
• Further professionalize wholesale and retail operations by applying cross-industry best practices

Roland Berger Strategy Consultants works with national and global oil companies on a daily basis. We have a proven track record that combines in-depth industry know-how with best-in-class functional expertise, for instance on supply chain management or marketing and sales. As a result, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants provides leading oil companies operating in different markets and under different conditions with customized solutions. These solutions are tailored to each client's specific requirements and deliver lasting results.

We support our clients in developing sustainable, profitable business models to tackle future challenges.