The Status and Strategies of the International Oil Corporations

Any attempt to analyse the status and strategies of the international oil corporations has to begin by recognising the enormity of the assignment. Indeed, it would be misleading to pretend that a single definitive statement could be made on the subject given the heterogenous nature of the enterprises involved. The International Oil Corporations can no longer be grouped under the convenient heading ‘The Seven Sisters’. They are now legion, operating in both the private and public sectors and they are remarkably diverse in character and objectives.