How Energy Consulting Can Help Oil and Gas Companies Achieve Sustainable Growth
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Apr 18, 2025

The oil and gas sector is one of the largest industries globally. It actually makes up about 4.8% of the U.S. economy. However, it faces rising costs, tighter rules, and growing pressure to go green. If they want to stay ahead, they've got to work smarter. And that's where energy consulting comes in. It can help cut waste, boost profits, and support long-term growth. (1)

Could working with the right energy consultant be what finally helps your company run cleaner and more efficiently? Read on to learn more.

Driving Innovation and Supporting Digital Transformation

Keeping up with the pace of change in the energy sector means embracing smarter tools and systems. Energy consultants help oil and gas companies by bringing in the right technology. This kind of innovation makes it easier for teams to make decisions quickly and plan for long-term success. Also, receiving tailored support is entirely possible with boutique energy consulting firms if you're after flexibility and focused attention.

Let's break this process down below.

Bringing in Smart Tools and Systems

Consultants guide companies in choosing and implementing technologies that improve visibility across the operation. These tools help teams track energy usage in real time, spot trends, and act faster when problems arise. Some even help predict failures before they happen, reducing costly downtime.

Supporting a Culture of Innovation

Most oil and gas companies haven't implemented digital technologies widely enough to see real gains in the performance metrics they care about. According to a 2022 McKinsey report, nearly all have started digital projects in different areas, but 70% haven't progressed past the pilot stage. It's why beyond the tools themselves, consultants encourage a mindset shift. (2)

This means helping teams shift away from outdated systems and toward continuous improvement. They may lead training programs, help teams adapt to digital workflows, or restructure reporting systems to focus on real-time insights. This lets companies build a stronger, tech-driven foundation for future growth.

Improving Operational Efficiency

Even small inefficiencies can lead to big losses in the oil and gas industry. Energy consulting also helps oil and gas companies fine-tune their operations for better performance, lower costs, and long-term success.

In many cases, this starts with gaining a full picture of how each part of the operation consumes energy. They look at drilling sites, transport fleets, and even back-office systems. Then, they take advantage of innovation, as mentioned in the earlier section.

Consultants often use real-time data tracking, benchmarking, and historical performance reviews to find patterns that aren't obvious on the surface. These insights help leadership teams prioritize where to invest resources first. They'll know whether it's best to work on cutting idle time first or improving insulation as well as rerouting logistics to save fuel.

Take a closer look at this process below.

Reducing Energy Waste and Costs

Energy consultants perform detailed checks on how energy is used. These reviews often reveal machines running longer than needed, systems using more power than required, or outdated setups that cost too much to operate.

Upgrading Processes and Equipment

Outdated equipment and inefficient methods can slow down production and raise costs. That's why consultants make it a point to drive innovation and support digital transformation. They may recommend switching to newer machines, taking advantage of AI, adding automation, or using data to track performance. These improvements boost speed and reliability while using less energy.

Meeting Environmental Goals

Environmental concerns continue to shape the future of energy. Oil and gas companies must take real steps to limit their impact. Energy consulting firms can guide them on how to lower emissions, stay compliant, and build a cleaner, more responsible path forward.

Today's investors, regulators, and even customers are watching closely. That means it's no longer enough to just meet the minimum legal requirements. Energy consultants also help develop sustainability roadmaps that tie into broader business goals, such as entering new markets, winning contracts with stricter compliance standards, or improving ESG ratings. This long-term planning helps companies move from reactive to proactive environmental management.

Here's how consultants help make that happen:

Lowering Emissions and Pollution

Oil and gas operations can create a lot of emissions, about 50% globally, from burning fuel to flaring gas. Energy consultants help by measuring how much pollution is being released, then suggest steps to reduce it. This might include switching to cleaner fuels, fixing leaks, or installing systems that capture emissions before they escape. Of course, these changes help the planet. But they can also improve a company's public image and make operations more efficient. (3)

Additionally, consultants often work with engineers and compliance teams to select emissions-reduction technologies that are both effective and scalable. They may model how different upgrades will affect not just emissions, but also operating costs and system downtime. This helps teams make decisions that support both environmental goals and business performance.

Staying Compliant With Regulations

Laws about pollution and energy use are getting stricter in many places. Staying on top of these rules is hard, especially for companies with global operations.

Energy consultants keep up with the latest laws and help businesses follow them. They also assist in preparing the right paperwork and reports for inspections and audits.

Consultants may also help companies train internal teams to maintain compliance independently over time. This includes setting up processes for regular self-audits, defining response plans for sudden regulation changes, and integrating compliance tracking into existing workflows. This kind of support builds confidence with both regulators and stakeholders.

Strategic Energy Planning and Risk Management

Of course, sustainable growth requires a long-term plan. Energy consultants work with oil and gas companies to create strategies that balance today's needs with tomorrow's challenges. This often includes helping leadership teams forecast energy demand, plan for carbon pricing impacts, and model how new regulations or market shifts could affect operations. Here's a closer look at how this happens:

Planning for Future Energy Demand and Costs

Energy consultants analyze market data, regulatory trends, and global supply chain risks to build scenarios for what the next five to ten years might look like. This helps oil and gas firms prepare for price volatility, shifts in fuel demand, and regional policy changes that could affect operations. These insights allow leadership teams to align capital planning with the realities of a changing energy market.

Reducing Risk Through Smarter Strategy

Consultants also help companies spot energy-related risks, such as overreliance on a single fuel type or supply route. They may model the financial impact of new emissions caps, simulate disruptions, or assess how renewable investments might reduce long-term exposure. This forward-looking support helps companies stay competitive and avoid disruption.

The Smart Move Forward

Working with an energy consultant is one of the most practical ways to grow your business while cutting waste. Oil and gas companies ready to adapt will lead the way forward in the next few years. Don't wait for change to force your hand. Now's the time to find the right partner to help you move forward.

References:

(1.) What Percentage of the Global Economy Is the Oil and Gas Drilling Sector?

(2.) Harnessing volatility: Technology transformation in oil and gas

(3.) The Oil And Gas Industry: Could They, Should They, Try To Reach Net-Zero Emissions By 2050?