"As partnerships, MLPs pass through the majority of their income to investors in the form of regular distributions; the average MLP currently yields about 6 percent," observes eneergy sector expert Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "QR Energy LP (QRE) debuted as a publicly traded master limited partnership on Dec. 17, 2010.

"QR Energy owns upstream assets from which it produces oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas liquids account for about 70 percent of the outfit's reserves (29.7 million barrels of oil equivalent) and production (5,184 barrels of oil equivalent per day).

"The oil services and equipment industries have been a hotbed of M&A activity over the past few years, a trend that should continue into 2011," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, Three of my top 10 takeover plays hail from this part of the energy patch: Core Laboratories (CLB), Dresser-Rand (DRC) and Dril-Quip (DRQ).

"With a market capitalization of more than $100 billion, Schlumberger (SLB) should add to the dozens of acquisitions it's closed over the past few years.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"In my view, Seadrill (SDRL) is the best-placed contract driller in my coverage universe," says Elliot Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "The company doesn't produce or explore for oil and natural gas; rather, it is in the business of owning drilling rigs that are leased out to major producers for a daily fee known as a day rate.

"Caterpillar's announcement that it would acquire Bucyrus underlines the growth potential in global coal markets; short-term fluctuations aside, demand for met coal will continue to rise," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "I believe that coal-related stocks -- such as Peabody Energy (BTU) -- are a buy for this holiday season.

"Peabody Energy delivered a solid third quarter, beating consensus forecasts for both earnings and revenue.

"The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to have positive ramifications for Cameron International (CAM)," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "The political fallout could usher in stringent regulations governing blowout preventers (BOP), subsea equipment and redundant safety systems on rigs.

"Such an outcome would be consistent with past experience in the energy industry. After the Exxon Valdez spill, the government pushed oil companies to use double-hull tankers and phase out single hulls.

"Brigham Exploration (BEXP) as onshore properties in the Gulf Coast, as well as in the Anadarko basin and West Texas; but the stock's performance and future growth prospects are heavily leveraged to the Bakken and Three Forks plays in North Dakota and Montana," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "The company first began accumulating acreage in the Williston Basin in 2005, and the vast majority of its planned CAPEX is concentrated on the region.

"Most of Brigham Exploration's acreage and drilling activity has historically been in North Dakota, though the firm is drilling wells to establish the value of its acreage in eastern Montana.

"The global nuclear power industry is in the early stages of a multiyear growth spurt similar to what the industry experienced in the late 1970s and '80s," says energy sector expert Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "The nuclear renaissance will generate tremendous wealth for investors over the next few years. Two stocks that will benefit are Cameco (CCJ) and Shaw Group (SHAW).

"The nuclear power industry benefits from both a lack of dependence on imports as well as costs that don't vary excessively with commodity prices.

"Schlumberger Limited (SLB) is the biggest oil services company, hands down. As such, the firm's operations extend into just about every imaginable oil or gas-producing region of the world," says energy industry specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist asserts, "The company, in our view, is in the sweet spot of the oil-services cycle.

"Despite Schlumberger's exposure to the Gulf, the hit to the company's bottom line shouldn't be too dramatic, nor will it affect long-term growth prospects. At this valuation the stock already prices in these headwinds.

"Big Oils are a classic value investment proposition at current prices; now is the time to go shopping," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "And Chevron (CVX) is the only Big Oil name that's likely to grow production significantly in coming years thanks to a long list of projects underway.

"Investors often regard Big Oils as mysterious profit-generators because of all their moving parts, but they're fairly simple companies.

"Investors should consider adding exposure to the oil tanker industry; this business is notoriously volatile, as tanker rates fluctuate," says Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "Nonetheless, I expect the back half of the year to be a solid environment for tanker companies. Moreover, many stocks in the group offer substantial dividend yields. One of our favorites is Nordic American Tanker Shipping (NAT), which yields over 8 percent.

In the wake of the incredible volatility of recent days, we turn to several leading financial newsletter advisors, asking "Where's the market going from here?"

Here's an updated assessment -- as well as some select investment ideas -- from Elliott Gue, Richard Moroney, Nicholas Vardy, Keith Fitz-Gerald and Mike Cintolo.

We begin with Elliott Gue, editor of The Energy Strategist, who asserts, "Don't panic. Selling into a panic-driven market is one of the worst and most costly mistakes you can make as an investor. I do not believe the fundamentals justify the downside in my recommended stocks, nor do I see this ballooning into an outright crash or collapse.

"Exxon's big acquisitions often serve as a blueprint for the rest of the industry," says energy sector advisor Elliott Gue, referring to its recent $41 billion acquisition of natural gas producer XTO Energy.

In Personal Finance newsletter, he says, "The landmark deal represents a major bet on the future of natural gas and sets the stage for a raft of similar acquisitions by energy majors in 2010." Here's a look at four favorites in the sector.

In his The Energy Strategist, he explains, "Strong demand for coal from India and China is a growth story that will play out in 2010."

Gue explains, "Peabody reported its third quarter results and share prices have reacted positively. The weakness in US coal markets remains a challenge, but Peabody has taken steps to shore up profitability in the US, cutting back planned production and locking in contracts for 2010 at fixed prices.

"I'm adding Bucyrus International (NSDQ: BUCY) -- a maker of mining equipment -- to our 'Wildcatters Portfolio' as a play on coal," says Elliott Gue.

In his The Energy Strategist, the advisor explains, "With commodity prices recovering and Chinese demand for coal picking up once again, Bucyrus has likely seen the trough in its new equipment business."

"Bucyrus' top end-market is coal, which accounts for more than three-quarters of the firm's business. Coal mining equipment includes draglines, a sort of giant scoop used to scrape away the overburden (rocks and dirt) that covers coal.

"The oil-services sector remains my favorite long-term play in the energy industry," says sector specialist Elliott Gue. In The Energy Strategist, the advisor looks to industry-leader Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB).

Gue explains, "Oil services firms will benefit directly from the increasing technical complexity of oilfield development. International business is the primary driver for Schlumberger, which generated only 22% of its revenues from North America in 2008.

"The important question is, where do we sit in the cycle for international operations? In my view, the second half of 2010 will mark the beginning of a new uptrend.