Worley (WOR) – Now that Americans can drill, baby, drill, this company is in the box seat
Ujjwal Maheshwari, December 6, 2024
Worley is a world leader that provides professional services to customers in the energy, chemicals, and resources sectors in more than 50 countries. The company has carved out a reputation as one of the go-to partners when it comes to designing, building, and maintaining critical infrastructure in industries that power the world. The expertise of the company in developing large-scale projects and innovations has made it a great player in the global energy transition.
Diverse Operations Across Energy Sectors
Worley offers services in traditional fossil fuels and newly emerging renewable energy sectors. Historically, the company has remained very involved in oil and gas projects. It has developed EPC solutions for all upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Its drilling and refining projects go hand in hand with transportation infrastructure.
More recently, Worley has focused on renewable energy and sustainable development. The company has been instrumental in developing infrastructure for wind, solar, hydrogen, and biofuel projects. Its diversification strategy keeps it relevant as the global energy landscape evolves, appealing to both traditional energy clients and those focused on the green energy transition.
Financial Performance: Signs of Strength
Worley has demonstrated its strength and adaptability through an operating period of highly volatile markets. The latest financial year has seen strong growth in revenue to AUD 9.45 billion, through growing demand for Worley’s services in both the traditional and renewable energy sectors. Operating profit has also improved, which will reflect the cost management capabilities of the company and expanded portfolio.
Its order book has grown significantly, with a balanced mix of projects across geographies and industries. Notably, contracts from the United States, where new drilling and energy exploration projects are surging, have bolstered its revenues. As nations focus on energy security and increased production, Worley is securing new contracts tied to oil and gas developments.
Why Worley is Thriving Now
Resurgence of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities
The “drill, baby, drill” movement has picked up momentum with the United States lifting restrictions on oil and gas exploration. The policy change has opened doors for companies like Worley, which specializes in providing services to energy giants. Long-standing relationships with major oil producers have positioned Worley as a preferred partner in ramping up production activities.
Increased Focus on Energy Security
Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global supply chains have made energy security a priority for many nations. The desire to rely less on imported energy is driving significant investments in local energy infrastructure by countries. Worley is taking advantage of this by winning contract awards for enhancing domestic production capabilities.
Green Energy Transition
While traditional energy projects are booming, Worley has also positioned itself as a leader in renewable energy infrastructure. This dual focus allows it to benefit from both ends of the energy spectrum. The company’s ability to handle projects like green hydrogen facilities and offshore wind farms ensures its relevance in the long term.
Technological and Strategic Advantages
Worley stands out for its use of advanced technology to streamline project execution and enhance efficiency. By leveraging digital twins, automation, and data analytics, the company improves project accuracy and reduces costs for its clients. These technological capabilities make Worley a preferred choice for large-scale, complex projects that require precision and expertise.
Additionally, Worley’s global footprint allows it to serve clients across continents, offering a competitive advantage. Its strong presence in North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East provides access to diverse markets and ensures consistent revenue streams from various energy hubs.
Strong Presence in Growth Markets Worldwide
Worley’s strong presence in the geography is one of its key strengths. Operations span North America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe and service clients in a number of the world’s most significant energy markets.
Worley is seeing a renewed investment in oil and gas infrastructure in North America. But in Asia-Pacific, the projects being executed are focused on renewables, which mirrors the uptake of clean technologies in this region. The work at petrochemical facilities, as well as carbon capture projects, in the Middle East, speaks to the diversified needs of energy in this particular region.
Why Investors Are Eyeing Worley
Worley offers stability and growth potential for investors. Its strong position in the traditional energy sector provides a stable source of revenue, while the company’s diversification into renewables ensures relevance over the long term.
The company’s excellent balance sheet and consistent dividend payouts make it a natural investment choice for someone who wishes to harvest both income and growth. Its diversified portfolio also reduces the risk associated with reliance on any single source of energy or market.
Future Prospects: How Worley is Getting Ready
As the company can follow industry trends, it ensures its position as a major player in the energy sector. With countries investing in both fossil fuels and renewables, Worley is well-positioned to capture opportunities across the spectrum.
Its focus on sustainable development and cutting-edge technology will most probably drive future growth. With a growing order book and strong client relationships, Worley is well-placed to capitalize on the next phase of evolution in the energy industry.
A Solid Investment Opportunity in the Long Run
It is Worley’s novelty mix of expertise, innovation, and adaptability that makes it a front-runner in the global energy services market. From oil and gas to renewable energy, it has an unmatched ability to deliver value to clients and shareholders.
Worley is one of the most attractive plays for those who want to invest in a company capable of navigating the complexity of the energy landscape and positioning itself for the future. The strong financial performance, technological leadership, and strategic focus of Worley make it one of the stocks worth watching on the ASX.
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FAQs
- What does Worley specialize in?
Worley provides engineering, project delivery, and consulting services across traditional energy sectors like oil and gas and emerging markets such as renewable energy and green hydrogen.
- Does Worley invest in renewable energy?
Yes, Worley has expanded its operations to include renewable energy solutions like offshore wind farms, green hydrogen production, and carbon capture technologies, aligning with global sustainability goals.
- Why is Worley performing well now?
Worley is benefitting from increased demand for oil and gas infrastructure due to energy policy changes and a pivot toward renewable energy projects globally, ensuring a balanced growth portfolio.
- Is Worley a good investment option?
Worley’s diversified portfolio, strong financial performance, and adaptability to energy trends make it a solid choice for investors seeking exposure to both traditional and renewable energy sectors.
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