What need does it serve?
Exxon. produces a range of upstream and downstream products. The company is involved in exploring and developing oil & natural gas sources. It also then refines, and markets oil and natural gas products. The company also produces a range of chemicals, that are in used in a variety of industries including: automobiles, building material etc.
What are the alternatives to Exxon Mobil?
Competitors: Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, BP.
What is the basis of competition?
Exxon primarily competes on its ability to efficiently provide its products. It depends on quality of assets, and end-to-end operational efficiency, which then drives cash flow.
Has 3 Operating Segments:
Upstream: The upstream segment is largely responsible for drilling, exploring, and recovering crude and natural gas. Upstream operations are based out of the United States; the company also has operations in Africa, Asia,Europe, Middle-East and Australasia.
Downstream: The downstream segment largely consists of refining, marketing, and logistics based services. Its operations are based mainly out of mainland United States, but Exxon also has operations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Chemicals: This segment provides a range of chemicals and materials, that are used to create tires, plastics and thermoplastics, used in variety of industries that include automobiles, consumer goods, building materials etc.
Besides these, revenues from one-time sources like sale of assets are reported as "Other Revenues"