Where would the world be without the oil and gas industry? After spending $600bn on exploration and production in 2012, the sector is set to spend almost $650bn in 2013, according to Barclays. That should secure a lot of jobs, create a bonanza of subcontracting, bring some of the outstanding projects a little closer to completion, and – who knows? – help in finding a few new wells. Whether it will improve the investment case for E&P companies is another thing.
倘若沒有石油與天然氣行業,這個世界將會怎樣?巴克萊(Barclays)數據顯示,繼2012年在勘探和開採上的支出達到6000億美元之後,2013年油氣行業此項開支將達到近6500億美元。這將保障大量的工作崗位,衍生出無數分包合同,使許多進行中的項目離完工更近一步,甚至還有可能幫助發現幾口新的油、氣井(到底能否發現,只有天知道)。但是,油氣類股票的投資回報能否由此提高,就是另外一回事了。