While oil price volatility has caused its stock to underperform in recent years, EOG believes it has the right resources and business model to create long-term value for its shareholders. On the company's third-quarter conference call, CEO Bill Thomas said, "EOG [is] a unique and compelling investment, not only in the [exploration and production] industry, but in the broader market." While rivals have been fighting cost inflation, EOG has worked hard to drive down expenses by becoming more efficient and leveraging its large-scale operation to lock in lower prices with contractors.