BusinessJuly 18, 2026
supermajor
/ˈsuː.pərˌmeɪ.dʒər/
Definition
A colloquial term for one of the world's largest, publicly traded, and vertically integrated oil and gas companies.
Etymology
The word combines the Latin-derived prefix 'super-' (meaning above or beyond) with 'major' (referring to the historic 'Major' oil companies), emerging in industry jargon during the late 1990s to distinguish the largest, consolidated energy conglomerates from smaller competitors.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe BP, emphasizing its massive scale and global influence as it strategically pivots away from venture capital to refocus on its core energy operations.
BP Winds Down Venture Capital Portfolio
Read the full article ↗JPT Homepage