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.
倘若没有石油与天然气行业,这个世界将会怎样?巴克莱(Barclays)数据显示,继2012年在勘探和开采上的支出达到6000亿美元之后,2013年油气行业此项开支将达到近6500亿美元。这将保障大量的工作岗位,衍生出无数分包合同,使许多进行中的项目离完工更近一步,甚至还有可能帮助发现几口新的油、气井(到底能否发现,只有天知道)。但是,油气类股票的投资回报能否由此提高,就是另外一回事了。