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The record cash flow generated by the major oil & gas companies in 2018 will help in weathering the current economic downturn.

How will the world's major oil & gas companies weather the current economic storm?  A close examination of the industry benchmarks will provide the answer.

Last year, the price of U.S. crude oil rebounded 34.5 percent to reach $61.06 per barrel after suffering a 25 percent decline in 2018 that ended with crude at $45.33 per barrel -- a decline that enabled oil companies to bolster sales, profitability and operating cash from two years prior in which oil & gas companies averaged a net loss of 2.6%.