Introduction“SWOT analysis is a historically popular technique through which managers can create a quick overview of a company's strategic situation” (Pearce, II & Robinson, 2011, p. 140 ). Using this model, we will examine the external factors of the energy sector that influence Range Resources Corporation. Strengths Range Resources has a strong position in the Marcellus Shale. It has nearly one million net acres with resource potential of 545 million barrels of liquids and 32 trillion cubic feet of gas (Strategy, 2012). The range has a large customer base. The company sells its gas production to customers including pipelines, utilities, gas marketing companies, industrial users and local distribution. Its natural gas liquid (NGL) production is sold primarily to customers engaged in petrochemical, refining and heavy oil blending activities. A large customer base allows the company to insulate itself from the risk of being affected by recessions in a particular customer group. The range has a strong financial position. The company expects production growth of 25%-30% in 2012 and is expected to be self-financing in 2013 (Strategy, 2012). Weaknesses The company does not have the necessary scale to compete with the large players in which it operates. Many of its competitors are much larger, such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, with reported revenues of $370 billion and employing approximately 80,000 people in fiscal 2010 (ExxonMobil, 2010); Chevron Corporation, which in the same period recorded revenues of 198 billion and employed approximately 58,000 people (Corporate Fact Sheet, 2011). Range, on the other hand, had revenue of about a billion and employed about 700 people in fiscal 2010. The lack of scale limits the company's ability to compete, both nationally and in the print midmarket, thus minimizing the risk for shareholders. By choosing not to enter the international market where the benefits and risks are high, they can continue their eight-year journey of low-cost growth. Works CitedCompany information sheet. (2011, March). Retrieved January 20, 2012, from Chevron.com: http://www.chevron.com/documents/pdf/corporatefactsheet.pdfStrategy. (2012, January 1). Retrieved January 10, 2012, from Range Resources: http://www.rangeresources.com/Our-Company/Strategy.aspxExxonMobil. (2010). Financial Operational Review 2010. Irving: Exxon Mobil. Kendell, J. M. (2008, June 28). GO. Retrieved January 20, 2012, from Global Gas Outlook: http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/presentations/2008/globalgas/index.htmlPearce, II, JA, & Robinson, R.B. (2011). Strategic management. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.