Saudi Aramco maintained the first ranking for the consecutive 16th year leading the largest oil companies in the world for the year 2003, according to the annual ranking prepared by Petroleum Intelligence Weekly of the world's 50 largest oil companies. PIW's ranking of the world's 50 largest oil companies is based on six operational criteria. This year's ranking was based on the 2003 operational results for the companies. The focus on operations allows meaningful comparisons of all types of companies -- including state-owned firms. PIW's system uses as criteria oil reserves and production, natural gas reserves and output, refinery capacity, and product sales volumes.
