Big Oil Stocks http://www.bigoilstocks.com Invest In Oil Today! Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:36:44 +0000 en hourly 1 About Those CFTC Claims That Speculation Has Distorted Oil Prices http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/about-those-cftc-claims-that-speculation-has-distorted-oil-prices/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/about-those-cftc-claims-that-speculation-has-distorted-oil-prices/#comments Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:23:21 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/about-those-cftc-claims-that-speculation-has-distorted-oil-prices/

Craig Pirrong submits:

CFTC Commissioner Bart Chilton has been touting research that he claims supports his view that speculation has distorted prices, thereby necessitating position limits. I’ve read each one. My conclusion: if this is the best he can come up with, the case for position limits is weaker than I thought. And that’s saying something.

The citations fall into a couple of categories: Superficial quasi-academic studies and quotations from various figures. These include some well-known economists who have done absolutely no serious research on the subject.

Here are my quick takes on each one.

  • “The Oil Price Really is a Speculative Bubble.” (“The Oil Price Really Is a Speculative Bubble,” R. S. Eckaus, MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, June 13, 2008). This paper is extremely thin gruel. It briefly discusses data on consumption and production of oil, but carries out no statistical analysis. Indeed, Eckaus says: “We cannot pick


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/about-those-cftc-claims-that-speculation-has-distorted-oil-prices/feed/ 0 Oil and Gas Continue to Rise http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-and-gas-continue-to-rise/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-and-gas-continue-to-rise/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:00:13 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-and-gas-continue-to-rise/

Doug Short submits:




I routinely post an update on gasoline prices on Monday afternoons when the Energy Information Administration data is published. But Friday’s close at 112.99 for West Texas Crude Oil (WTC) prompted me to post an interim snapshot with that day’s WTC close and the latest price for regular gasoline from the GasBuddy.com website.

(click to enlarge chart)

Here is a link to GasBuddy’s average gasoline price for regular by state. As I type this, three states (Alaska, California and Hawaii) have an average north of .00, and Illinois is a fraction of


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-and-gas-continue-to-rise/feed/ 0 Areva: Expect to See Solar Thermal Deals Soon http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/areva-expect-to-see-solar-thermal-deals-soon/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/areva-expect-to-see-solar-thermal-deals-soon/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:34:44 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/areva-expect-to-see-solar-thermal-deals-soon/

Greentech Media submits:

By Michael Kanellos

2010 was in many ways a tough year for solar thermal power plants.

Federal and state agencies approved a number of plants and some companies such as BrightSource Energy managed to land capital, power purchase agreements and loan guarantees, but the mammoth nature of the projects continued to prevent the industry from taking flight. Stirling Energy and Tessera Solar (TSRA) gave up on trying to develop two


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/areva-expect-to-see-solar-thermal-deals-soon/feed/ 0 SeaDrill’s Contract With Pemex Means More Monthly Revenue http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/seadrills-contract-with-pemex-means-more-monthly-revenue/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/seadrills-contract-with-pemex-means-more-monthly-revenue/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:11:17 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/seadrills-contract-with-pemex-means-more-monthly-revenue/

Power Hedge submits:

On April 8, 2011, SeaDrill Ltd (SDRL) entered into a five-year contract with Pemex. This five year contract calls for the brand-new West Pegasus ultra-deepwater rig to begin operations in Mexico in the third quarter of 2011. The contract calls for a fixed dayrate for the first two years of operations, then annually adjusted to the market rate for the remaining three terms of the contract. You can read the official announcement from SeaDrill about this contract on their webpage.

The contract value is 0 million, assuming a constant dayrate throughout all five years of the contract. That works out to a dayrate of approximately 5,750. That is roughly comparable to the dayrates of SeaDrill’s already existing rigs of the same type. If the market rate is higher than this after the first two years then the dayrate will increase accordingly.

As my previous fleet analysis shows, ultra-deepwater drilling rigs


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/seadrills-contract-with-pemex-means-more-monthly-revenue/feed/ 0 Energy Stocks Showing Signs of a New Breakout http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/energy-stocks-showing-signs-of-a-new-breakout/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/energy-stocks-showing-signs-of-a-new-breakout/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:50:21 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/energy-stocks-showing-signs-of-a-new-breakout/

Rougemont submits:

Several energy-related stocks are showing new signs of a possible breakout to the upside. I prefer fundamental analysis when looking at stocks to buy, but I also think it is important to look at the technical side as well. After doing fundamental analysis, I want to see how a stock looks based on the charts, including what the 50 and 200 day moving averages are, and what the relative strength index is before deciding to buy. When evaluating this data, you can find stocks that appear to be starting what might be a significant new uptrend. One potential sign of this is when the 50 day moving average crosses above the 200 day moving average. This event is called a “Golden Cross Formation” and many view it as a bullish sign. You can read more about the Golden Cross Formation here. While I am selling energy names that have already


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/energy-stocks-showing-signs-of-a-new-breakout/feed/ 0 Suncor Is an Oil Gusher With Limited Risk http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/suncor-is-an-oil-gusher-with-limited-risk/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/suncor-is-an-oil-gusher-with-limited-risk/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:23:26 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/suncor-is-an-oil-gusher-with-limited-risk/

Money Morning submits:

By Jack Barnes

If you are looking for a mining company that generates energy with its own diversified refinery division, wholly owned pipelines, and a retail gas station network, then Suncor Energy Inc. (SU) should be at the top of your list.

Here are just a few reasons why:

  • Suncor offers diverse and reliable production at a time when civil unrest in the Middle East has increased uncertainty in the energy market.
  • It’s leveraged to higher oil prices.
  • It’s transparent
  • And it’s reducing its debt.

There’s no question about it: Suncor Energy Inc. is a “Buy.”

Lots of Leverage, Little Risk

Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. The company has a market cap of billion, with an enterprise value of .75 billion once net debt and cash are accounted for. Suncor has refineries, wholly owned pipelines and specialty lubricant products. It sells


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/suncor-is-an-oil-gusher-with-limited-risk/feed/ 0 Cost, The Great Unknown in Nuclear http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cost-the-great-unknown-in-nuclear/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cost-the-great-unknown-in-nuclear/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:59:39 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cost-the-great-unknown-in-nuclear/

Greentech Media submits:

By Michael Kanellos

The nuclear plant might be one of the most advanced technologies ever invented, but their underlying budgets sound like something straight from the age of the pyramids.

“Sixty percent of the costs of building a plant in the U.S. come from labor,” said Lucas Davis, a professor at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley during a session at the Commonwealth Club today.

While the nuclear industry says it will intensely scrutinize the failures of Fukushima to prevent future catastrophes, it must also grapple with one of its chronic problems — namely, cost.

The budget for nuclear plants — historically speaking — exceed expectations and completing the plants often takes longer than expected. Davis, in fact, said he couldn’t even think of one project that has come in on time and/or under budget. The cause of the overruns comes in part from the sprawling nature of


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cost-the-great-unknown-in-nuclear/feed/ 0 ABB Group: A Cleantech Company? http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/abb-group-a-cleantech-company/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/abb-group-a-cleantech-company/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:36:11 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/abb-group-a-cleantech-company/

tom konrad Tom Konrad (AltEnergyStocks) submits:

Power and automation giant ABB, Ltd. (ABB) was named Cleantech Corporation of the Year at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco. The company has been focused on acquiring start ups in the cleantech space for the last couple of years, with two significant ones in 2010: Ventyx, a provider of IT systems to utilities, and Baldor Electric (BEZ), the premier supplier of high-efficiency motors in the U.S.

I very much like ABB’s approach to cleantech. I’d even written about Baldor as a good way to invest in energy efficiency earlier in 2010 just a couple months before the buyout announcement.

While ABB is touting its eco-sheik acquisitions in smart grid (Ventryx, Trilliant) and Electric vehicle charging (Ecototality), they seldom mention one of the best reasons for a clean energy investor to be interested in the company: ABB has long been a leading supplier of electric transformers, substations, and high-voltage DC


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/abb-group-a-cleantech-company/feed/ 0 Should the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Be a Price Intervention Tool? http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/should-the-u-s-strategic-petroleum-reserve-be-a-price-intervention-tool/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/should-the-u-s-strategic-petroleum-reserve-be-a-price-intervention-tool/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:09:35 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/should-the-u-s-strategic-petroleum-reserve-be-a-price-intervention-tool/

Dian L. Chu submits:

In early March, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley told NBC that the Administration was considering releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) if it deems the high oil prices would threaten the U.S. economic recovery.

President Obama, in a press conference on March 11, also reiterated that a plan to tap the SPR was “teed up” and said he would move quickly should ‘conditions’ worsen. However, the President refused to say what price could trigger a release.

SPR – How Many Barrels & Where

Based on information from the Dept. of Energy (DOE) web site, the SPR, established after the 1973-74 oil embargo, is stored in salt caverns along the Texas, and Louisiana, coastline (see DOE map), and is the largest stockpile of government-owned emergency crude oil in the world.

The SPR completed its fill program on December 27, 2009. Today’s inventory of 726.5 million barrels, with


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/should-the-u-s-strategic-petroleum-reserve-be-a-price-intervention-tool/feed/ 0 Cracks in Oil’s Bullish Facade? How to Profit From Dropping Crude Prices http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cracks-in-oils-bullish-facade-how-to-profit-from-dropping-crude-prices/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cracks-in-oils-bullish-facade-how-to-profit-from-dropping-crude-prices/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:46:20 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cracks-in-oils-bullish-facade-how-to-profit-from-dropping-crude-prices/

Brian L. Wilson submits:

I’ve been surprised how far crude oil has come up since the Egyptian crisis. Mubarak’s resignation initially seemed to quell the surge in oil prices, but the current prices are simply not justified on an intrinsic supply and demand equilibrium. Demand is not going to justify 2/bbl crude for very long. Without Middle East headlines hyped by CNN, oil was sub /bbl in February, and has appreciated around 30% since. The U.S. dollar index shows that the greenback has become weaker since oil started its run, but those numbers point to an approximate 3.5% decline.

The crisis in Libya has run on for quite a while, with oil continuously breaking resistance levels. Clearly being a supply side issue, the removal of Libya from the list of oil supplies during its revolution has a minor effect on the actual supply demand equilibrium due to the increase in production from Saudi Arabia.


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/cracks-in-oils-bullish-facade-how-to-profit-from-dropping-crude-prices/feed/ 0 3 Oil and Natural Gas Companies Filling Japan’s Energy Gap http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/3-oil-and-natural-gas-companies-filling-japans-energy-gap/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/3-oil-and-natural-gas-companies-filling-japans-energy-gap/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:22:37 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/3-oil-and-natural-gas-companies-filling-japans-energy-gap/

David Fessler submits:

Companies around the globe are lining up to help the Japanese after their unprecedented crisis. Last Friday, I wrote about one of the world’s top steelmakers that will see significant growth.

Today I’m going to focus on the effect that Japan’s woes have had on the oil and gas industry, and a few companies which stand to benefit.

On the oil side, crude giant Saudi Aramco has indicated that it’s prepared to help on the supply side. Aramco CEO Khalid Al-Falih promised that his company will do whatever it can to accommodate Japan’s needs: “Japan will have a priority in the months to come as it deals with this disaster and tries to recover.”

There’s no question Japan’s needs have significantly changed since the earthquake. Still, promising to deliver oil is one thing; getting it there is quite another matter…

The Oil Tanker Industry Steps Up

Japan has more than


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/3-oil-and-natural-gas-companies-filling-japans-energy-gap/feed/ 0 Shale Gas and the Severance Tax http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/shale-gas-and-the-severance-tax/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/shale-gas-and-the-severance-tax/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:57:15 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/shale-gas-and-the-severance-tax/

Kent Moors submits:

The U.S. hydrocarbon era began in 1859, when Colonel Edwin Drake (who wasn’t really a colonel of anything) drilled the first successful oil well at Titusville, Pennsylvania.

What is happening these days in the state capital of Harrisburg may one day loom as a watershed moment of equal importance. This time, however, the subject is natural gas.

I was in Harrisburg Saturday to address the annual convention of the Pennsylvania AP Broadcasters Association, the statewide professional TV and radio organization. My topic was off-the-radar news stories about drilling in the Marcellus Shale – the unconventional shale gas basin emerging as likely to be a main new source of natural gas, especially in the energy-dependent Northeast.

The prospect of a major local source capable of fulfilling energy needs for the next couple of centuries was enthralling for the journalists in the room. But how to report on the developments as they


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/shale-gas-and-the-severance-tax/feed/ 0 How Shale Gas Snuck Up on the Beltway Elites http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/how-shale-gas-snuck-up-on-the-beltway-elites/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/how-shale-gas-snuck-up-on-the-beltway-elites/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:33:42 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/how-shale-gas-snuck-up-on-the-beltway-elites/

Mark J. Perry submits:

AEI’s Steve Hayward has an excellent article on “The Gas Revolution” in the Weekly Standard, here are some key paragraphs:

One remarkable aspect of the shale gas revolution is that it was not the product of an energy policy edict from Washington, or the result of a bruising political battle to open up public lands and offshore waters for new exploration. Although the Halliburtons of the world are now big in the field, its pioneers were mostly smaller risk-taking entrepreneurs and technological innovators. George P. Mitchell, an independent producer based in Houston, is widely credited as being the prime mover in shale gas, pushing the idea against skeptics. The technology was mainly deployed on existing oil and gas leaseholds or on private land beyond the reach of bureaucrats (for the time being, anyway). That is why shale gas seemed to sneak up unannounced to the media and Beltway elites, even


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/how-shale-gas-snuck-up-on-the-beltway-elites/feed/ 0 Progress Energy Challenged but Looming Merger Brightens Future http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/progress-energy-challenged-but-looming-merger-brightens-future/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/progress-energy-challenged-but-looming-merger-brightens-future/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:08:49 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/progress-energy-challenged-but-looming-merger-brightens-future/

Zacks.com submits:

We reiterate our Neutral rating on Progress Energy Inc. (PGN) as the company continues to face challenges in Florida. Also, the fluctuations in commodity prices, the uncertain regulatory environment and the pending approvals for its merger with Duke Energy Inc. (DUK), keep us on the sidelines.

On the positive side, though, we like Progress Energy for its ongoing merger deal with Duke Energy, which will make it the largest utility with over 7 million customers in 6 states. We believe the merger is a strategic fit for both companies and will be earnings accretive to the combined entity. We also like Progress Energy for its increased generation capacity, market expansion, cost-cutting initiatives, debt reduction, high dividend yield and improving balance sheet.

Raleigh, North Carolina-based Progress Energy is one of the nation’s larger pure-play electricity utilities with a solid opportunity for rate base growth in the long-term. Going forward, the company


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/progress-energy-challenged-but-looming-merger-brightens-future/feed/ 0 Gas Prices Getting Close to 2008 Highs http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/gas-prices-getting-close-to-2008-highs/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/gas-prices-getting-close-to-2008-highs/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:44:56 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/gas-prices-getting-close-to-2008-highs/

Hickey and Walters (Bespoke) submit:

Below is a chart showing the distance that both gas prices and oil are currently trading from their 2008 highs. As shown, the price of oil is still 22% from its 2008 high, while the price at


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/gas-prices-getting-close-to-2008-highs/feed/ 0 Weekly Market Outlook: Healthcare and Energy Sectors Stand Out http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/weekly-market-outlook-healthcare-and-energy-sectors-stand-out/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/weekly-market-outlook-healthcare-and-energy-sectors-stand-out/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:57:27 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/weekly-market-outlook-healthcare-and-energy-sectors-stand-out/

Price Headley submits:

The bulls just didn’t have enough gas in the tank to make it three weeks in a row. The lack of gain, however, isn’t even the alarming part; stocks only lost ground to a tiny degree. The red flag is the shape of the chart and the way things progressed over the last five days.

We’ll look at that idea in detail below. First up though, a quick review of the major economic numbers.

Economic Calendar

Last week was minimal in terms of economic data flow, and only a small amount of the small amount we got actually meant anything. What’s that? Unemployment claims – both new and continuing – sank a tad (not enough), while consumer credit levels soared well beyond expectations (up .6 billion versus the forecasted .0 billion increase).

The coming week will be more turbulent; here are the biggies to watch for, in that they actually


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/weekly-market-outlook-healthcare-and-energy-sectors-stand-out/feed/ 0 Why High Oil Prices Are Likely Here to Stay http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-high-oil-prices-are-likely-here-to-stay/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-high-oil-prices-are-likely-here-to-stay/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:32:42 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-high-oil-prices-are-likely-here-to-stay/

Frank Holmes submits:

A number of forces continued to push oil prices higher last week, reaching their highest levels in the U.S. since September 2008.

One factor fueling the run has been the continued decline of the U.S. dollar. You can see from the chart that oil and the dollar historically are negatively correlated. This means that a rise in oil prices generally coincides with a decline in the dollar, and vice versa. The U.S. dollar has seen a dramatic decline since the beginning of the year as oil prices have moved some 30 percent higher. This could be due to fact that roughly two-thirds of the U.S. trade deficit is related to oil imports.




(Click to enlarge)

Despite the run up, oil‘s upward rate of change is still within its normal trading pattern over the past 60 trading days. Accordingly, this may imply that it isn‘t a spike and we haven‘t crossed


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-high-oil-prices-are-likely-here-to-stay/feed/ 0 Vestas: Still One of the Best Green Technology Stocks http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-4/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-4/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:08:04 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-4/

Martin Peter Roth submits:

Two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF.PK) was not only the best wind energy stock, but possibly the best green technology stock of them all. As I pointed out, it was heavily represented in various green funds – it was the largest constituent of at least one of these – it was big, it enjoyed a dominant market position and it was very profitable.

Since then, the Danish company’s profits and share price have tanked, its market share is being threatened by fast-rising Chinese competitors and the latest news is that it is being sued by an institutional investor who alleges it issued false and misleading statements concerning its financial outlook. Is it still the best?

The rapid rise of several Chinese wind turbine manufacturers has dented Vestas. In 2010, it only just maintained its number one position in the global


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-4/feed/ 0 Vestas: Still One of the Best Green Technology Stocks http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-3/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-3/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:08:04 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-3/

Martin Peter Roth submits:

Two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF.PK) was not only the best wind energy stock, but possibly the best green technology stock of them all. As I pointed out, it was heavily represented in various green funds – it was the largest constituent of at least one of these – it was big, it enjoyed a dominant market position and it was very profitable.

Since then, the Danish company’s profits and share price have tanked, its market share is being threatened by fast-rising Chinese competitors and the latest news is that it is being sued by an institutional investor who alleges it issued false and misleading statements concerning its financial outlook. Is it still the best?

The rapid rise of several Chinese wind turbine manufacturers has dented Vestas. In 2010, it only just maintained its number one position in the global


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-3/feed/ 0 Vestas: Still One of the Best Green Technology Stocks http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-2/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-2/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:08:04 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-2/

Martin Peter Roth submits:

Two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF.PK) was not only the best wind energy stock, but possibly the best green technology stock of them all. As I pointed out, it was heavily represented in various green funds – it was the largest constituent of at least one of these – it was big, it enjoyed a dominant market position and it was very profitable.

Since then, the Danish company’s profits and share price have tanked, its market share is being threatened by fast-rising Chinese competitors and the latest news is that it is being sued by an institutional investor who alleges it issued false and misleading statements concerning its financial outlook. Is it still the best?

The rapid rise of several Chinese wind turbine manufacturers has dented Vestas. In 2010, it only just maintained its number one position in the global


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks-2/feed/ 0 Vestas: Still One of the Best Green Technology Stocks http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:08:04 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks/

Martin Peter Roth submits:

Two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF.PK) was not only the best wind energy stock, but possibly the best green technology stock of them all. As I pointed out, it was heavily represented in various green funds – it was the largest constituent of at least one of these – it was big, it enjoyed a dominant market position and it was very profitable.

Since then, the Danish company’s profits and share price have tanked, its market share is being threatened by fast-rising Chinese competitors and the latest news is that it is being sued by an institutional investor who alleges it issued false and misleading statements concerning its financial outlook. Is it still the best?

The rapid rise of several Chinese wind turbine manufacturers has dented Vestas. In 2010, it only just maintained its number one position in the global


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/vestas-still-one-of-the-best-green-technology-stocks/feed/ 0 Oil Price Inflated, Time to Take Profits From Resource Related Investments in Your Portfolio http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-price-inflated-time-to-take-profits-from-resource-related-investments-in-your-portfolio/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-price-inflated-time-to-take-profits-from-resource-related-investments-in-your-portfolio/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:44:36 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-price-inflated-time-to-take-profits-from-resource-related-investments-in-your-portfolio/

Dian L. Chu submits:

U.S. WTI (West Texas Intermediate) futures for May delivery posted the highest price since Sept. 2008, settling at 2.70 a barrel on NYMEX on Friday, April 8. In London, ICE Brent crude for May delivery also hit a 27-month high ended at 6.65, rising .98, or 3.24% in just one day. For the week, WTI front month has spiked almost 4% at NYMEX, while Brent has shot up 6.7% on ICE. (Fig. 1)




(Click to enlarge)

Nigeria, Libya, China, Dollar & Peak Oil

An April 7 Bloomberg News survey indicated that oil prices may rise on speculation that elections in Nigeria will curb output and the Libyan conflict will halt exports. Indeed, many new sources have cited market concerns over oil supply disruptions due to the unrest in Middle East, war in Libya have caused the market to price in ‘additional risks premium’ in oil.

Other market players also blamed


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-price-inflated-time-to-take-profits-from-resource-related-investments-in-your-portfolio/feed/ 0 8 More Oil and Gas Companies With Further Upside http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-more-oil-and-gas-companies-with-further-upside/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-more-oil-and-gas-companies-with-further-upside/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:19:50 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-more-oil-and-gas-companies-with-further-upside/

Michael Filloon submits:

As the third installment of small oil and gas stocks with upside, this article addresses companies with a market cap between 300 and 800 million. I am only covering specific names that I believe have continued upside. So if there are any names you feel should be on the list and are not, please email me and I will check them out. The reccurring theme will be bullish domestic unconventional oil.

GMX Resources (GMXR) has several significant oil and gas plays in the United States. Its Haynesville/Bossier play has 44032 net acres and there are 261 horizontal locations there. Cotton Valley has 46651 net acres and 100 – 251 horizontal locations. The Bakken location consists of 26087 net acres and 81 possible locations. The Niobrara acquisition is 40643 net acres and 254 horizontal locations.

GMX has made some very good acquisitions, although the company was a little late getting into


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-more-oil-and-gas-companies-with-further-upside/feed/ 0 A Mixed Forecast for Nuclear and Coal http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-mixed-forecast-for-nuclear-and-coal/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-mixed-forecast-for-nuclear-and-coal/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:55:31 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-mixed-forecast-for-nuclear-and-coal/

Greentech Media submits:

By Herman K. Trabish

Has Fukushima changed the nuclear debate? Let’s just say it has pushed the two sides further apart.

“What we’ll do with this,” said Michael Morris, CEO of American Electric Power (AEP), of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown during a panel at Fortune Brainstorm Green this week, “is the same thing we did with Three Mile Island and the same thing we did with Chernobyl and really the same thing we did with 9/11. We’ll take the lessons learned and we’ll implement those best practices we can identify to see to it that we fortify beyond the designs that we’ve already got.”

AEP operates 38 gigawatts of power, including 2,200 megawatts of nuclear and 25 gigawatts of coal, as well as 255,000 miles of power lines for five million customers who get irate when they can’t find out who’s dancing with the stars.

New nuclear infrastructure will be


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-mixed-forecast-for-nuclear-and-coal/feed/ 0 13 Solar Stock Rockets About to Take Off http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/13-solar-stock-rockets-about-to-take-off/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/13-solar-stock-rockets-about-to-take-off/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:31:15 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/13-solar-stock-rockets-about-to-take-off/

Investment Underground submits:

By Lucas Scholhamer

Are there clear skies ahead? We’ve identified 13 solar stock rockets about to take off.

After Japan’s nuclear power scare, safer energy sources became an instant priority of nations spanning the globe. Weeks later, the Obama administration’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future looked to turn out the lights on foreign oil dependence, opting to exploit America’s limited reserves and subsequently catalyze the development of alternative energy sources. In the wake of these events, the solar energy industry is looking to capitalize on this rare opportunity by championing its increasingly affordable and ever-advancing technology. We take a look at 13 stocks that may help investors benefit from the sunny forecast.

Canadian Solar, Inc. (CSIQ): Manufacturing solar modules, power systems, and other specialized solar products for customers in over 30 countries, this Ontario-based solar technology giant appears poised for long-term growth. CSIQ shares traded at .80 upon closing


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/13-solar-stock-rockets-about-to-take-off/feed/ 0 Undervalued Cameco: Potentially the Best Uranium Buy http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/undervalued-cameco-potentially-the-best-uranium-buy/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/undervalued-cameco-potentially-the-best-uranium-buy/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:07:06 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/undervalued-cameco-potentially-the-best-uranium-buy/

Rani Chopra submits:

The magnitude of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that triggered the explosion in the Fukushima nuclear power plant forced the world to sit up and take notice of the horrifying catastrophe that radiation can subject an entire nation to. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked the nation caused “loss of power” to the nuclear reactors thus causing a meltdown of the fuel rods and subsequent release of toxic radiation. Japan has now raised its nuclear alert level to five and large scale evacuation efforts are in progress. Thursday’s aftershock that had a 7.1 magnitude caused the S&P500 to fall by .15%.

News of the March quake did not affect the S&P500 at first, but concerns over the nuclear crisis worsening sent the index to its lowest level since December. The S&P500 slumped by about 3.6% in three days and Japanese stocks were in the red. Japan’s Nikkei index tanked


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/undervalued-cameco-potentially-the-best-uranium-buy/feed/ 0 10 Global Wind Power Companies http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/10-global-wind-power-companies/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/10-global-wind-power-companies/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:44:14 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/10-global-wind-power-companies/

David Hunkar submits:

Denmark is the one of the world leaders in producing electricity from wind. About 20% of the electricity produced in Denmark comes from wind power. Since the 1980s, the Danish government provided various incentives for the growth of this industry with the goal of reducing fossil fuel imports. As a results of these efforts, today Denmark is not only a world leader in wind power generation but also is a major exporter of wind power technology and expertise to other countries.

In recent years, India and China have embarked on a mission to reduce their fossil fuel imports and encourage the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. Today, India has the fifth-largest installed wind capacity in the world with more than three-times the installed capacity of Denmark. However China is much ahead of India in this industry, as shown in the chart below: (Click to enlarge)

China started installing


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/10-global-wind-power-companies/feed/ 0 Statoil: How Financially Strapped Governments Might Drive Up Oil Prices http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/statoil-how-financially-strapped-governments-might-drive-up-oil-prices/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/statoil-how-financially-strapped-governments-might-drive-up-oil-prices/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:18:41 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/statoil-how-financially-strapped-governments-might-drive-up-oil-prices/

Old Trader submits:

It’s certainly not startling news that government actions affect how companies conduct their business, often resulting in unintended consequences. A prime example would be the results of the recent announcement by U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, that a higher tax is to be levied on the production from the U.K.’s offshore fields.

This is somewhat similar to the “windfall profits tax”, talk of which seems to crop up in the U.S. anytime oil gets uncomfortably high in price. The U.K. plans to increase the supplementary charge on U.K. oil and gas production to 32% from the current 20%. This tax is over and above the “normal” U.K. corporate tax rates.

It’s often said that the cure for high prices is high prices, especially when one is talking about natural resources. It makes sense that climbing prices make it more attractive for firms to make the needed investment to


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/statoil-how-financially-strapped-governments-might-drive-up-oil-prices/feed/ 0 First Solar and Renewables Industry Plead to Save DOE Loan Program http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/first-solar-and-renewables-industry-plead-to-save-doe-loan-program/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/first-solar-and-renewables-industry-plead-to-save-doe-loan-program/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 05:55:53 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/first-solar-and-renewables-industry-plead-to-save-doe-loan-program/

Trefis submits:

First Solar (FSLR) has joined forces with 33 other clean power companies including rivals like SunPower (SPWRA) and Nanosolar to appeal against the Republican proposal to axe the funding for the Department of Energy’s loan-guarantee program. [1] The proposal was included in a budget bill passed in early February and was a shock to many in the renewables community as it could potentially derail the high growth in solar and wind energy adoption.

First Solar is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor technology and competes with other international solar industry players like Suntech Power (STP) and Yingli Green Energy (YGE). We have a price estimate of 5 for First Solar’s stock, which is just slightly above the stock’s current market price.

Understanding the Proposal and Its Impact on the Industry

The increasing focus of U.S. government to develop alternatives for clean


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/first-solar-and-renewables-industry-plead-to-save-doe-loan-program/feed/ 0 U.S. Govt. Shutdown? Greater Economic Risks Arising From Canada Cutting Off Oil Leases http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/u-s-govt-shutdown-greater-economic-risks-arising-from-canada-cutting-off-oil-leases/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/u-s-govt-shutdown-greater-economic-risks-arising-from-canada-cutting-off-oil-leases/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 01:33:26 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/u-s-govt-shutdown-greater-economic-risks-arising-from-canada-cutting-off-oil-leases/

Global Investing Editor submits:

If the U.S. government shuts down, the New York Times writes, the animals in the closed National Zoo in Washington will be fed. Food stamp cards will not go out, however. The big political risk today, again, is from Canada.

Spain’s Banco Santander tested the euro bond market today with a 2-yr floating issue partly underwritten by Barclays Bank (BCS) along with STD itself. The underwriters propose that STD pay 145 basis points over Eurobor for their money, having squeezed the rate down from the initial offer of 150 bp (i.e. 1 1/2%). But STD has to respect the sovereign ceiling on Spain’s borrowing rates.

With Portugal having paid 5.1%-5.9% for its six to 12 month money last week, and up to 9.19% for longer term, Spain is the next victim of the euro vigilants and is also having to pay triple digit basis points over eurobor.

While all Spanish


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/u-s-govt-shutdown-greater-economic-risks-arising-from-canada-cutting-off-oil-leases/feed/ 0 A123 Systems: So Much Promise, So Many Questions http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a123-systems-so-much-promise-so-many-questions/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a123-systems-so-much-promise-so-many-questions/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:07:40 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a123-systems-so-much-promise-so-many-questions/

Benzinga submits:

By Steven Ansfield

Common sense and past performance tell us that when oil spikes, alternative energy solutions companies do well. The opposite is true in the case of A123 Systems (AONE). On a day when NYMEX oil futures are hitting a 52-week high, shares of A123 Systems are hitting an all time low (.82).

Few companies have stoked as much euphoria as this manufacturer of lithium-ion battery cells. A123 Systems certainly has the pedigree of a tech darling: It is on the front lines of the green-tech revolution; it is the product of the world-renowned minds at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); it has been the benefactor of Department of Energy (DOE)/United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) contracts; and has heavyweight investors such as Alliance Capital, GE (GE), Motorola Ventures, Sequoia Capital, and Qualcomm Ventures (just to name a few) in its back pocket. This company is a lock


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a123-systems-so-much-promise-so-many-questions/feed/ 0 High Dividend Stocks: Rising Oil Prices Will Increase Dividends http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/high-dividend-stocks-rising-oil-prices-will-increase-dividends/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/high-dividend-stocks-rising-oil-prices-will-increase-dividends/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:43:28 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/high-dividend-stocks-rising-oil-prices-will-increase-dividends/

Double Dividend Stocks submits:

If you’re looking for dividend paying stocks that will benefit from the current rise in oil prices, royalty trusts might interest you. With oil ending the week at over 3/barrel today, it seems logical that energy-based royalty trusts with exposure to oil should be able to increase their dividends in the near future. We found 2 of these high dividend stocks that are going ex-dividend next week, on April 13th: Sabine Royalty Trust, (SBR), and BP Prudhoe Bay, (BPT).

SBR’s April distribution reflects primarily the oil production for January 2011 and the gas production for December 2010.

Note the significant increases in volume and price for oil for these months:

“Revenues are only posted and distributed when they are received. Most energy companies normally issue payment of royalties on or about the 25th of every month, and depending on mail delivery, a varying amount of royalties are not received until


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/high-dividend-stocks-rising-oil-prices-will-increase-dividends/feed/ 0 NRG Energy Unveils Freedom Charging Network http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/nrg-energy-unveils-freedom-charging-network/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/nrg-energy-unveils-freedom-charging-network/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:18:14 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/nrg-energy-unveils-freedom-charging-network/

Greentech Media submits:

By Katherine Tweed

It doesn’t matter if range anxiety is real or perceived. If it keeps people from buying electric vehicles, it’s a problem for those who have a stake in the success of this burgeoning driving revolution.

To combat that, NRG Energy (NRG) opened its first eVgo Freedom Station in Texas on Friday, which has a high-speed DC charger, to inspire range confidence. The privately funded network of high-speed 480-volt DC chargers will include 70 stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and another 50 in Houston, with half in place by summertime

The inaugural charger at a Walgreens (WAG) in Dallas, can add up to 30 miles of range in as few as 10 minutes, and there’s also a 240-volt Level 2 charger that can add about 25 miles in an hour. Within the two cities, drivers will never be more than five miles from a charger when the


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/nrg-energy-unveils-freedom-charging-network/feed/ 0 Supply, Technology and Conservation Will Counteract Rising Oil Prices http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/supply-technology-and-conservation-will-counteract-rising-oil-prices/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/supply-technology-and-conservation-will-counteract-rising-oil-prices/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 07:53:43 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/supply-technology-and-conservation-will-counteract-rising-oil-prices/

Mark J. Perry submits:

Basic economic theory tells us that one of the predictable consequences of resources becoming more expensive is that higher prices will stimulate discovery, exploration and greater production on the supply side. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now in Texas, for oil and gas, according to today’s WSJ article “Chevron Rekindles Old Texas Flame: High Oil Prices, New Technologies Once Again Make the Permian Basin a Popular Spot for Drilling,” here’s an excerpt:

“Climbing oil prices are making the aging oil fields of Texas’s Permian Basin look attractive again to some big petroleum companies. Chevron Corp. has pumped oil from this well-plowed area of west Texas and New Mexico since 1925. But in recent decades, as production in the area declined, Chevron and other companies used it primarily as a lab for oil-extraction techniques that could be employed in larger projects elsewhere.

This year, Chevron, the second-largest U.S. oil company


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/supply-technology-and-conservation-will-counteract-rising-oil-prices/feed/ 0 Details on SunPower’s Annual Reporting and Auditor Discussions http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/details-on-sunpowers-annual-reporting-and-auditor-discussions/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/details-on-sunpowers-annual-reporting-and-auditor-discussions/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:29:42 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/details-on-sunpowers-annual-reporting-and-auditor-discussions/

Michael Lofing submits:

SunPower (SPWRA) trades at 10 times last 12 months earnings and at eight times 2011 projected earnings. The company’s utility and power plant business represented 70.9% of fourth quarter of 2010 revenues compared to 46.8% for the third quarter and 31.2% in the second quarter. The company’s record revenue for the fourth quarter was 7.1 million, which was within the range of expected revenue for the quarter.

The business climate continues to recover and project financing is more available. The company also executed the industry’s first publicly-rated solar project bonds of approximately 195 million euros. The company has much work to do to improve its metrics and earnings quality. Earnings for the third quarter and second quarter of 2010 were significantly improved by transactions that resulted in non-cash gains. The SunRay acquisition and expansion into the project business had a significant impact on operating cash flow.

SunPower fourth quarter of


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/details-on-sunpowers-annual-reporting-and-auditor-discussions/feed/ 0 Oil: High Prices Should Not Deter Investors if Selling Puts http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-high-prices-should-not-deter-investors-if-selling-puts/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-high-prices-should-not-deter-investors-if-selling-puts/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:06:46 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-high-prices-should-not-deter-investors-if-selling-puts/

James Cordier submits:

Crude oil stocks remain near historical highs in the U.S. But that hasn’t mattered to oil traders for several months now. Fear continues to drive this market and that does not appear to change anytime soon.
OPEC produces nearly 40% of the world’s oil with the overwhelming majority of that production coming from the Middle East. The recent overthrow of the Egyptian regime followed by UN support of rebels in Libya has emboldened opposition groups from Yemen to Syria to Saudi Arabia.
Instability in the Middle East alone will likely keep a floor under crude prices in the near term.
Saudi Arabia and Iran alone account for about 18% of the world’s daily oil production. Violence here would undoubtedly have a severe impact on oil prices. However, even minor disturbances in smaller producing nations have shown they have the potential to have a radical impact on oil prices – courtesy


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-high-prices-should-not-deter-investors-if-selling-puts/feed/ 0 Solar Energy Race Heating Up http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/solar-energy-race-heating-up/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/solar-energy-race-heating-up/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:42:19 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/solar-energy-race-heating-up/

Kent Moors submits:

Solar energy – as an investment sector – has long labored under the assumption that breakout prospects are dependent upon a few small start-up companies that have insufficient working capital and miniscule share prices.

That may be true in some areas of the technical advances that reduce costs, increase energy harvesting, or provide the myriad breakthroughs necessary for the development of a genuine storage apparatus.

But that is not the case when it comes to simply producing the main components of solar capture technology.

Better-known (and among the largest) players are already moving into solar energy – and doing so both here and abroad. And every time we see new evidence of that, it’s an encouraging development, both for solar energy prospects and the investment sector developing around them.

That’s because no energy source can expand market presence, attract the significant investment necessary to develop as a genuine alternative source,


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/solar-energy-race-heating-up/feed/ 0 Bear Market for Natural Gas http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/bear-market-for-natural-gas/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/bear-market-for-natural-gas/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:19:37 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/bear-market-for-natural-gas/

Kurt Brouwer submits:

The price of natural gas is perhaps the only form of energy that is actually falling in price. In fact, natural gas has been in a bear market since July 2008. Like many commodities, it fell sharply during the financial panic of ’08, but it has not recovered. Current prices for commercial natural gas are down 45% since the peak. Residential gas prices are down over 50% from the peak. That qualifies as a bear market in my book.

There are reasons for natural gas pricing versus that of oil, which is surging. First, natural gas is not as easily shipped as oil, so it is not viewed as a replacement for oil. Also, natural gas really is not a player in transportation, which is one of the biggest uses of products refined from oil. Finally, new drilling methods have led to vastly increased reserves in the U.S. and abroad.


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/bear-market-for-natural-gas/feed/ 0 Natural Gas’s Natural Appeal http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/natural-gass-natural-appeal/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/natural-gass-natural-appeal/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:52:52 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/natural-gass-natural-appeal/

StreetAuthority submits:

By Andy Obermueller

While most energy-driven headlines today deal with 0-plus oil, dirty coal, dangerous nukes or solar dreams, one cheap, plentiful and clean fuel is usually left off stage out of the spotlight: Natural gas.

That’s odd, because Americans use about 62.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day, with some 2.1 quadrillion cubic feet in reserve. (One quadrillion is a thousand trillion.) It supplies 65 million households, 5.3 million commercial users and nearly 200,000 industrial-scale customers.

Natural gas is critical to electrical power production and its importance in this area is growing dramatically. In the past 15 years, the amount of U.S. electricity provided by natural gas has grown from 13.2% to 23.2%. The total number of kilowatt hours attributable to natural gas is up 102.3%.

And there are two reasons this trend is going to accelerate in coming years. First, gas is super efficient; it can


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/natural-gass-natural-appeal/feed/ 0 SandRidge Mississippian IPO: Solid Parent Operation in the Trust Assets Space http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/sandridge-mississippian-ipo-solid-parent-operation-in-the-trust-assets-space/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/sandridge-mississippian-ipo-solid-parent-operation-in-the-trust-assets-space/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:29:24 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/sandridge-mississippian-ipo-solid-parent-operation-in-the-trust-assets-space/

Bill Simpson submits:

This analysis of SandRidge Mississippian Trust (SDT) was provided to TradingIPOs subscribers in advance of its IPO. On Thursday April 7, the company priced its 15 million unit IPO at vs. expectations for 12.5 million units at -21.

—–

SandRidge Mississippian Trust plans on offering 14.375 million units (assuming overs) at a range of -. Raymond James and Morgan Stanley are leading the deal, Wells Fargo, RBC, Oppenheimer, Baird, Madison Williams, Morgan Keegan and Wunderlich are co-managing. Post-IPO SDT will have 28 million units outstanding for a market cap of 0 million on a pricing of . IPO proceeds will go to parent SandRidge Energy (SD).

SandRidge Energy will own 49% of SDT post-IPO. SD will control SDT via a separate unit class. SD is an independent oil and natural gas operation focused on West-Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Market cap of .1 billion. Proved reserves of 545.9 MMBoe.

Initial


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/sandridge-mississippian-ipo-solid-parent-operation-in-the-trust-assets-space/feed/ 0 Oil ETFs Jump as Crude Oil Tops $110/Barrel http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-etfs-jump-as-crude-oil-tops-110barrel/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-etfs-jump-as-crude-oil-tops-110barrel/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:04:34 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-etfs-jump-as-crude-oil-tops-110barrel/

Tom Lydon submits:


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/oil-etfs-jump-as-crude-oil-tops-110barrel/feed/ 0 Why OPEC Needs Higher Oil Prices http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-opec-needs-higher-oil-prices/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-opec-needs-higher-oil-prices/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:40:43 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-opec-needs-higher-oil-prices/

Tony Daltorio submits:

OPEC is about to make history. According to the International Energy Agency, the oil cartel will make trillion in export revenues this year, a new all-time high. Talk about a gusher!

Oil now costs more than 0 a barrel. And oil production has been on the rise as well. If that status quo remains, OPEC can expect a very good 2011.

Its heady situation once again emphasizes oil’s importance in the global economy. And its significance will only grow as developing nations – from China to India to Brazil – demand more energy. But there are plenty of other factors at play that will keep oil prices high going forward.

OPEC’s Spare Oil Capacity Seeping Away

Supply disruptions present the most immediate concern for markets. Libya used to be the world’s 12th largest oil exporter, producing about 1.6 million barrels of high-quality crude oil daily. Since war first broke


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/why-opec-needs-higher-oil-prices/feed/ 0 European Moves Hurt Power-One’s Guidance http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/european-moves-hurt-power-ones-guidance/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/european-moves-hurt-power-ones-guidance/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:17:43 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/european-moves-hurt-power-ones-guidance/

Tate Dwinnell submits:

Power-One (PWER) updated its financial outlook yesterday. The company expects to post revenues of 0-245 million, which is below the previous guidance of 0-290 million. The company is blaming market conditions and feed-in tariff cuts in Germany and Italy. Despite the downward revision, revenues will still come in about 60% higher than the year ago quarter. The company reports official earnings on May 5.

According to CEO Richard Thompson:

Although we expect to post a nearly 60 percent increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2011 compared to 2010, we’ve revised our guidance for the quarter due to recent adverse conditions in the European solar market.


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/european-moves-hurt-power-ones-guidance/feed/ 0 8 Stock Ideas for Canada’s 4 Big Tight Oil Plays http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-stock-ideas-for-canadas-4-big-tight-oil-plays/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-stock-ideas-for-canadas-4-big-tight-oil-plays/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:52:06 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-stock-ideas-for-canadas-4-big-tight-oil-plays/

Devon Shire submits:

We have plenty of oil up here in Canada, as I’m sure you are aware. Of course, much of it is in the vast oil sands which make Canada a true giant on the global oil reserve scene.

The countries with the largest oil reserves are as follows:



1)



Saudi Arabia – 262 billion barrels



2)



Canada – 179 billion barrels



3)



Iran – 133 billion barrels



4)



Iraq – 112 billion barrels



5)



United Arab Emirates – 98 billion barrels



6)



Kuwait – 97 billion barrels



7)



Venezuela – 75 billion barrels



8)



Russia – 69 billion barrels



9)



Libya – 40 billion barrels



10)



Nigeria – 36 billion barrels

But it isn’t the oil sands that have my eye these days. It is four tight oil plays where we have long known vast amounts of oil lay trapped, but were unable to recover with conventional drilling


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/8-stock-ideas-for-canadas-4-big-tight-oil-plays/feed/ 0 Chris Berry: Lithium to Elevate Equities and Investor Mood http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/chris-berry-lithium-to-elevate-equities-and-investor-mood/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/chris-berry-lithium-to-elevate-equities-and-investor-mood/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 07:28:14 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/chris-berry-lithium-to-elevate-equities-and-investor-mood/

The Energy Report submits:

House Mountain Partners Founder Chris Berry says Asia’s need for strategic resources could push the cost of energy to the breaking point, and more efficient electricity storage to power vehicles is critical. High-capacity batteries depend on several metals, including lithium. In this exclusive interview with The Energy Report, , Chris shares some of his favorite lithium companies and why he sees dramatic upside potential in each one.

The Energy Report: You propose that development of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) will drive increasing demand for lithium. But even assuming these new batteries, ultimately, have storage capacity of three, four or five times that of conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH), they still have to be charged with power that comes from a source like coal, hydro, solar, wind, nuclear or whatever. My question is how do EVs alleviate the drain on resources? What’s the benefit?

Chris Berry: You know that’s


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/chris-berry-lithium-to-elevate-equities-and-investor-mood/feed/ 0 A Diversified Power Company Paying a 4.4% Dividend http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-diversified-power-company-paying-a-4-4-dividend/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-diversified-power-company-paying-a-4-4-dividend/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 03:04:06 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-diversified-power-company-paying-a-4-4-dividend/

Ian Wyatt submits:

Most publicly traded utilities have the distinct advantage of paying investors a dividend. This dividend significantly enhances the equities’ total return over time.

As I’ve stressed before, every portfolio should include dividend-paying stocks as part of a diversification strategy. So when I came across a diversified energy company that was paying a 4.4 percent yield to investors, I had to write about it.

This regulated power business is an oil and gas producer, but it also dabbles in coal and some energy marketing too.

The company is Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH) and it just finished the first quarter with a comfortable 13 percent increase in share price, as you can see in this chart.

Black Hills, which now has a market cap of .3 billion, grew out of the partnership that first brought electric lights to the legendary gold rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota, in 1879. The company


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-diversified-power-company-paying-a-4-4-dividend/feed/ 0 7 Oil, Natural Gas Companies With Continued Upside http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/7-oil-natural-gas-companies-with-continued-upside/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/7-oil-natural-gas-companies-with-continued-upside/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:39:37 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/7-oil-natural-gas-companies-with-continued-upside/

Michael Filloon submits:

After writing 8 Small Oil and Natural Gas Companies With Continued Upside, I had used the market capitalization cut off at million. This list will offer the same description, but only cover names above the million mark. I’m only going to list companies I believe have significant upside, so if a few names are left out this is the reason why.

Tengasco Inc. (TGC) is an oil and gas exploration and production company with emphasis on Kansas and Tennessee. Tengasco has 171 active producing wells in with most in the Central Kansas Uplift. It has 20,971 acres leased with 14,261 in production. Kansas accounts for 91% of revenues and 92% of company production. Tengasco’s daily production is 600 barrels of oil per day. Its Tennessee property has four wells producing oil and 21 producing natural gas. Tengasco has a wholly owned subsidiary that operates pipelines in the areas.


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/7-oil-natural-gas-companies-with-continued-upside/feed/ 0 India: The Next Big Solar Market http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/india-the-next-big-solar-market/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/india-the-next-big-solar-market/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:15:49 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/india-the-next-big-solar-market/

Greentech Media submits:

By Eric Wesoff

In light of the presumed slowdown of the European solar markets due to declining feed-in tariffs, the global solar industry is training its gaze on other growth markets: the U.S., China and India, as well as Ontario, Canada and Gainesville, Florida.

The U.S. is a prime target today. With a healthy utility sector and regional policies that make the country more than just a two-state game (those two states being California, and New Jersey), the U.S. could double to two gigawatts in 2011. There is a large pipeline of solar projects in the


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/india-the-next-big-solar-market/feed/ 0 A Reality Check for Wind Power Investors http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-reality-check-for-wind-power-investors/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-reality-check-for-wind-power-investors/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:51:13 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-reality-check-for-wind-power-investors/

John Petersen submits:

Everybody knows that wind power is variable, which can be troublesome for a society that needs reliable power all day, every day. When inquiring minds ask whether wind power can ever be a reliable energy source for the U.S., we’re soothed by calm assurances that better transmission networks and wider geographic dispersion can overcome the variability with no fuss, muss or bother. Occasionally, however, the facts are too glaring to ignore and somebody needs to insist on a reality check. Today is one of those days for me.

The Bonneville Power Administration, or BPA, operates in the Pacific Northwest. It has a geographic footprint of 300,000 square miles, it manages electric power generation and distribution in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Western Montana, and it exports more than half of its power production. In The All True April Fool’s Edition of the Department of Energy’s Blog, the following graph tracked the


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]]> http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/a-reality-check-for-wind-power-investors/feed/ 0 Top 6 Oil and Gas Drillers Paying Impressive Dividends http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/top-6-oil-and-gas-drillers-paying-impressive-dividends/ http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/top-6-oil-and-gas-drillers-paying-impressive-dividends/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:27:17 +0000 admin http://www.bigoilstocks.com/blog/top-6-oil-and-gas-drillers-paying-impressive-dividends/

Osman Gulseven submits:

In two of our recent articles, we looked for
the top six oil & gas companies,
and

the top eight gas utilities

paying excellent dividends.

With oil and gas prices going even higher, we decided to screen for the best oil and gas drillers with quite impressive dividends, and a maximum P/E ratio of 30. All of the companies that follow offered a minimum 5% dividend yield, and have a minimum market capitalization of 0 million. Data is derived from


finviz


. While there are hundreds of drillers listed in NYSE, only the following large cap drillers fit this criteria:


Crestwood Midstream Partners LP (



CMLP



):

Crestwood is an oil& gas drilling company which gathers, processes and treats natural gas especially in north Texas.
The market cap of CMLP is 8.1 million, and it has a P/E ratio is 27.68, with forward P/E of 18.85.
Crestwood Midstream had an EPS growth of


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