This year was better than 2009 for the companies that design, equip and build major projects for the worldwide oil and natural-gas industry, and all indications are that 2011 will bring further improvement, though the boom times of a few years ago have yet to return.

While the U.S. economy remains in the doldrums, the economies of most developing countries are recovering and gradually resuming strong growth. International oil and gas demand is rising, oil prices have stabilized at levels that support the development of new projects, and new gas discoveries are spurring work in several regions.