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ExxonMobil

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ExxonMobil is a very large company that works with energy.

It is based in Spring, Texas, near Houston. This company is the largest investor-owned oil company in the whole world. It is also the eighth-largest company in the United States by revenue. The company works in many different areas of the energy industry. They find oil, make chemicals, and sell fuel at gas stations.

An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee, Georgia
An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee, Georgia

The company uses a system called vertical integration. This means they handle many steps of the work themselves. One part is called upstream, which finds and extracts oil and gas. This part makes about 70% of the company's money. Another part is called Product Solutions, which makes chemicals. They create things like plastic and synthetic rubber. They also have a division for Low Carbon Solutions. This group studies new ways to make clean energy.

Guyana's offshore mineral exploration blocks, producing vessels, and proposed projects in the Stabroek block (May 2024) (53736542101)
Guyana's offshore mineral exploration blocks, producing vessels, and proposed projects in the Stabroek block (May 2024) (53736542101)

ExxonMobil has a long history that goes back many years. One of its earlier parts, the Vacuum Oil Company, started in 1866. Later, Standard Oil bought that company in 1879. In 1911, a legal rule forced Standard Oil to break apart. One piece became known as Mobil. Another piece became known as Exxon. In 1999, these two companies joined together in a merger. This created the ExxonMobil we know today.

Rex Tillerson shakes hands with Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, May 2017
Rex Tillerson shakes hands with Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, May 2017

This company operates in many different countries and places. In the United States, they work in the Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. They also find oil in Guyana and Angola.

Guyana's offshore mineral exploration blocks, producing vessels, and proposed projects in the Stabroek block (May 2024) (53736542101)
Guyana's offshore mineral exploration blocks, producing vessels, and proposed projects in the Stabroek block (May 2024) (53736542101)

They have many refineries, which are places that turn oil into useful products. Their largest refinery is the Beaumont Refinery in Texas. However, they have also faced many serious criticisms. They have been sued for environmental incidents and for how they handled climate change. One famous event was the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989.

OilCleanupAfterValdezSpill
OilCleanupAfterValdezSpill

You might see the results of their work every day. You may see an Exxon or Mobil gas station while driving.

An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee, Georgia
An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee, Georgia

Many items around you are made from their chemicals. This includes things like plastic packaging or rubber. You might even see their Mobil 1 motor oil at a race. They sponsor many racing teams, including those in NASCAR and Formula One. They are even working on ways to catch carbon before it enters the air. This is called carbon capture and storage.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Exxon footprint 2012-08.png
Exxon footprint 2012-08.png
File:Guyana's_offshore_mineral_exploration_blocks,_producing_vessels,_and_proposed_projects_in_the_Stabroek_block_(May_2024)_(53736542101).png
Guyana's_offshore_mineral_exploration_bloc...
File:An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee, Georgia.jpg
An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee,...
File:Extinction Rebellion - Dont frack with us (48876504111).jpg
Extinction Rebellion - Dont frack with us...
File:OilCleanupAfterValdezSpill.jpg
OilCleanupAfterValdezSpill.jpg
File:Rex Tillerson shakes hands with Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, May 2017.jpg
Rex Tillerson shakes hands with Deputy...
File:ExxonMobilDowntownHoustonTX.JPG
ExxonMobilDowntownHoustonTX.JPG
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