These include the new ExxonMobil campus in North Houston, plus corporate work for Danos, Halliburton, BP, FMC Technologies and Shell, he says.

Infrastructure

Transportation work stands to benefit from the energy boom through increased funding, with a measure on raising additional funds on the November ballot in Texas, says Frank Medina, central regional manager and senior vice president at Parsons Brinckerhoff.

The firm, which reports 51% of its regional market share in transportation work, saw revenue hit $106.8 million last year. Ranked No. 8, the firm's work includes the $798-million Dallas Horseshoe highway project. "The alternative-delivery market in transportation has been an area of growth and focus for us, and looks favorable for the foreseeable future," he says.

"The DOT market in Texas is strong, with a program of planning, design and alternative-delivery procurement services," adds Tom O'Grady, HNTB's central division president. "There is funding in place to advance a set of critical mobility projects." He says the state transportation agency is implementing programs to address significant mobility needs and the toll market remains strong. He also sees the transit market providing growth opportunities. The company, ranked No. 5, posted $128.1 million in regional revenue in 2013. Its transportation projects included program and construction management for U.S. 290 in Houston and the Paths to Progress program in New Orleans.

Expansion

Progressing into 2014, "there is still a significant amount of [energy] work to meet minimum production needs," says Paul Gardiner, president of Cardno's Americas region. "This ranges from support infrastructure such as roadways and subsurface utilities to the pipeline and facility infrastructure itself." Cardno, a new addition to this year's design firm list, also eyes ports, rail and harbors as key target areas for expansion, he notes. The firm was ranked No. 9 with $101 million in regional revenue.

"We expect the energy market to continue to grow over the next several years," Gardiner says. "We have over 500 staff across two states and anticipate that increasing over the next several years."