Rigzone Ranks the Top 10 Oil & Gas Cities in the World

Rigzone Ranks the Top 10 Oil & Gas Cities in the World

Regarded by some as the most remote city on earth, Perth is more than 1,300 miles away from the nearest city that has a population of more than 100,000 people. The capital city of the state of Western Australia, Perth has a population of more than 1.8 million people – which means that the city has around three times as many people in its environs than that entire population of the rest of the state.

Founded in 1829, the city's population swelled in the late 19th Century amid Western Australia's gold rushes. Today, the city is benefiting from the state's recent energy boom.

Energy Impact

Western Australia has seven major sedimentary basins, four of which – Carnarvon, Perth, Bonaparte and Canning – are largely located offshore and have been producing hydrocarbons for several years, and one – the Browse Basin – is currently being developed.

Perth-based Woodside Energy, along with its partners, owns extensive gas reserves in the Browse Basin. Royal Dutch Shell plc is another company active in the basin and is developing its Prelude project there – a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility that will be used to develop Shell's Prelude and Concerto gas fields located in the basin.

Western Australia has a number of major gas projects currently under development including: Chevron's $45-billion Gorgon gas project that aims to develop some 35.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas located 120 miles from the state's coastline; the $31-billion Browse LNG project; and the $30-billion Chevron-Wheatstone LNG project.

The recent boom in its energy sector has seen Western Australia outstrip the rest of the country when it comes to job growth, as reflected by migration statistics that show Western Australia's population growth increased by a whopping 3.4 percent in 2012 – compared to just 1.7 percent for Australia as a whole, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

City Highlights

Australia is renowned for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and Perth has several of the best. Sun seekers and those interested in swimming, surfing and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean will be well served by the city.

Perth residents are no different from the average Australian when it comes to a love of sports. As with many regions in Australia, the two main sports in Western Australia are cricket and Australian rules football.

Taking part in sports is encouraged everywhere in Australia but for those who prefer to watch, Perth has plenty of sports venues. The "home" of Australian rules football in Perth is the Subiaco Oval, while the city's WACA Ground is well-known to cricket fans worldwide. Perth also has teams participating in Australia's national basketball, field hockey, rugby union, rugby league and soccer leagues, while also hosting golf and tennis tournaments.

While prejudice might assert that food in Australia is all about barbecues and kangaroo burgers, Perth belies this view with a wide range of restaurants that serve food from around the world, one or two of which even boast a Michelin-starred chef. The nearby city of Freemantle, which serves as the port to Perth, also has the 'Cappuccino Strip' that features many Italian eateries.

Wine lovers could do worse than set up camp in Perth since the city is close to the Western Australian wine country. Several tours often start in the city to take visitors to some of the region's many renowned wineries.

 

 


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WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

Diego Pimentel  |  April 06, 2015
The only city on the list that may be higher than Houston is Dubai.
Steve  |  April 08, 2014
I believe the point of the article was highlighting the favorite cities for O&G, as in best places to live and work. Not sure why Houston would make the top ten then. Wasnt meant to be the biggest O&G cities. No offense, but the only people that want to live in Houston are Houstons.
Shawn  |  July 05, 2013
I think people are missing the point, its not saying by the numbers, its a 360 of living/working there.
Guy From Aus  |  July 03, 2013
The article says favourite O&G city, so I guess this is just popularity contest. Houston still number one for sure. Aberdeen and London right up there too.
Jamie  |  May 22, 2013
I agree with Robert. Houston still remains the #1 O&G city when you look at the numbers. Its great that other cities are getting a "piece of the pie". As for CP, he needs to do a little more research
Eric  |  May 21, 2013
Hello? Odessa
Deneen  |  May 20, 2013
Actually, Denver is know for its upcoming Oil and Gas Prospects, so it does not surprise as they are probably in a hiring state of mind and thus are reaching out to Houston to find the quality of expertise they need to cultivate and grow bigger in Oil and Gas... Hands down... the UK and Houston for the USA has the experts in the field and who cares if your city is better smelling... Houston and the GOM smells like Money to me :-)
DJ basin  |  May 12, 2013
Having lived in both Houston and Denver, they both have pluses and minuses. Houston is an oil and gas capital like NYC, London, Frankfurt, etc are to finance. If you want opportunity for growth, Houston will probably offer more. Denver has great opportunities for skiing, and hiking if you want to wander to the mountains. Denver gets unpredictable snow storms especially in spring and temperatures can swing day to day by 40-50 degrees F sometimes when cold fronts come in. Colorado has the US highest incidence of skin cancer so make sure to wear sunblock since the sun is intense here in summer. Houston does have a lot of running and biking clubs (MS150 anyone?) and beaches if you want to go to Galveston or wander down to Corpus Christi... Houston is hot and humid in summer which may be uncomfortable but good for your skin my wife tells me. Also the heat I guess is why A/C got invented. Houston is only a few hours away from Austin and San Antonio if you want to go to hill country. Both cities are good for meeting people as a lot of people have moved in from other places, but Houston is much more diverse and international than Denver (with direct flights to Europe). Last month when I flew to London, we went through Houston ironically. If your not in oil and gas and a dual career couple though, Denver is a tougher job market than Houston. One of my co-workers quit last month and I know of multiple couples that move to Houston because Denver lacks job opportunities for a trailing spouse / other non-engineering professionals. Traffic can suck in both Denver and Houston. I take light rail in Denver and took the express buses in Houston -either place if you can ride public transport, take advantage of it. Anyway, I like both places but they do have pluses and minuses to consider. [I really like Calgary too and was glad to see it as #2 as I have relatives and vacationed there a couple summers ago.]
Robert Patlovany  |  May 07, 2013
Maybe some comments writers didnt actually read the story very carefully. Houston still dominates the world oil and gas business scene. This article is simply a popularity pole of important oil and gas towns. For example, "Im not sure how Denver beat out Houston for the U.S. Just seems crazy." It is crazy if you take this article as anything but a popularity pole result. Houston still rules the oil and gas business with no close second place.
cp  |  May 07, 2013
whats not to love? Business is booming and the quality of life is sooooo much better than Houston. People actually walk outside here and there is clean air. Take that Houston!
prince  |  May 06, 2013
I am surprised, London is not in top 10. All major operators and EPC contract ors are based here.
Rob C  |  May 06, 2013
Way to go Denver!!!
Oilman  |  May 06, 2013
Denver is a big up and coming city in oil and gas with great growth prospects and its a great place to live.
Bill Leake  |  May 06, 2013
Thats both flattering and a "been there, done that" assessment. Denver has had--as I recall--three prior oil booms--and busts--in just the 50 years Ive lived here. It would be nice if we dont again go through the predictable, "Please, God, give me another oil boom and I wont piss this one away!" Its both amusing and off-putting to observe the usual scenario of buying Gulfstreams, monstrous (ostentatious) houses and profoundly gauche "bling" and then filing for bankruptcy seemingly only months later. Variety may be the spice of life but its monotony that brings home the bacon.
Fred Price  |  May 06, 2013
I love Pittsburgh, PA. Well get to #1
Ben  |  May 03, 2013
Houston is the energy capitol of the world. Period.
Trevor  |  May 03, 2013
Denver beat Houston because Houston is awful!
Luba  |  May 03, 2013
everyone knows Calgary is the centre of the world....
james  |  May 03, 2013
I am not a big fan of Houston at all, but Im not sure how Denver beat out Houston for the U.S. Just seems crazy

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