"Schlumberger Limited (SLB) is the world's leading oil services company, assisting in exploration, production and most other oil services; its operations include being a leader in applying proprietary technologies to extract hard-to-extract oil and gas," says Michael Shulman.

The editor of The Short-Side Trader suggests, "Let's ask ourselves the following question: Over the next year is the there going to be more, less or an equal demand for oil? The answer is clearly more demand.

"Another question: Over the next year is there going to be more, less or an equal supply of oil?

Continue reading Schlumberger (SLB): A 'Great Opportunity'

Schlumberger (SLB): A 'Great Opportunity' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Ensco: A Ben Graham Value in Drilling

Ensco: A Ben Graham Value in Drilling originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Oil had a good year in 2010, rising 15 percent, and 2011 looks to be even better, as a stronger global economy pushes demand for resources higher," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Oil service and equipment companies are the most leveraged way to play rising oil prices. Here's a look a Schlumberger (SLB) and National Oilwell Varco (NOV).

"First is Schlumberger, operating in more than 80 countries. The company is the world's leading supplier of energy technology, project management, and information solutions.

Continue reading Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco

Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The editor of Validea explains, "Atwood Oceanics (ATW), a Houston-based offshore oil drilling firm, gets strong interest from both my Benjamin Graham- and Peter Lynch-inspired strategie.

"With a $2.4 billion market cap. Atwood has been a big winner for one of my most stringent -- and most successful -- strategies, the model I base on the writings of the late Benjamin Graham.

Continue reading Atwood Oceanics (ATW): 'Under the Radar'

Atwood Oceanics (ATW): 'Under the Radar' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Seadrill (SDRL) is the best-placed contract driller in my coverage universe," says energy sector specialist Elliott 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.

"There are three major reasons to buy Seadrill. First, the company has the youngest and most advanced fleet of drilling rigs of any of the major contractors.

Continue reading Seadrill (SDRL): Dollars from the Deep

Seadrill (SDRL): Dollars from the Deep originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oil recently traded at $91.00 per barrel and many analysts are looking for $100 per barrel. Against that backdrop, global oil companies are ramping up exploration to record levels for 2011.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Barclays (BCS) estimates that spending on new wells, producing platforms and other energy infrastructure will total $490 billion in 2011, an increase of 11%.

Continue reading Rising Oil Prices Prompt Record Spending on Exploration

Rising Oil Prices Prompt Record Spending on Exploration originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"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.

Continue reading Cameron International (CAM): Rising Demand for Subsea Safety Systems

Cameron International (CAM): Rising Demand for Subsea Safety Systems originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"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.

Continue reading Brigham Exploration (BEXP): A Bakken Bet

Brigham Exploration (BEXP): A Bakken Bet originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When you are in a hole, stop digging -- no expression better exemplifies the situation in Venezuela caused by Hugo Chavez and his government. Obviously, this is not something they understand, as the current administration keeps digging the Venezuelan economy into a deeper hole, intensified by its attempt to nationalize rigs owned by a U.S.-based company.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez issued a statement that Petroleos de Venezuela SA, the state oil company, was going to nationalize 11 oil rigs owned by Helmerich & Payne, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based drilling company.

Continue reading Hugo Chavez Government to Nationalize U.S. Company Rigs

Hugo Chavez Government to Nationalize U.S. Company Rigs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Obama Changes Course and Will Reopen Oil Drilling

Obama Changes Course and Will Reopen Oil Drilling originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In his Validea newsletter, John Reese assesses stocks using specialized screens based on the stated criteria of legendary stock market investors.

One such screen -- which has resulted in his best-performing model portfolio -- is based on the value-oriented investment strategy of Benjamin Graham.

Here, he looks at oil services firm Tidewater (TDW), which scores 100% on his Graham-style model.

Continue reading Tidewater (TDW): A Ben Graham-style buy

Tidewater (TDW): A Ben Graham-style buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oil driller stocks have long been a favorite of hedge funds (and Karen Finerman of "Fast Money") and something of a proxy for expected movements in oil prices. During the huge oil spike last year, the Oil Service HOLDRs (ETF) (NYSE: OIH) Oil Services ETF shot the moon. Buyers bid up issues of the underlying companies based on expectations that persistent oil prices in excess of $100 per barrel would make exploration and extraction of hard to reach deposits financially viable.

Continue reading Drill Baby Drill? Maybe not really

Drill Baby Drill? Maybe not really originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We see smooth seas ahead for deepsea driller Oceaneering International (NYSE: OII)," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of the blue chip advisory, Dow Theory Forecasts, explains, "Most of the world's untapped oil reserves lie under the ocean floor, and oil producers are spending an increasing portion of their capital budgets on deepwater drilling."

"While oil prices don't directly affect Oceaneering International's profits and cash flows, they do move the stock. Oil prices fell by two-thirds in the second half of 2008, pushing Oceaneering shares under $20 for the first time since July 2005.

Continue reading Smooth seas for Oceaneering International (OII)

Smooth seas for Oceaneering International (OII) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Long term, supply remains the key issue to watch in the crude oil market; depressed prices continue to force producers to scale back on exploration and development spending," says energy expert Elliott Gue.

In The Energy Strategist, he says, "I watch oil service giant Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) as a gauge of overall health in energy markets; it has its hands in just about every imaginable oil- or gas-producing market on the planet."

"Schlumberger's fourth quarter earnings release and conference call were far and away the most bearish from the company in at least five years.

"CEO Andrew Gould was notably downbeat, particularly during the analysts' question and answer (Q&A) session. Predictably, earnings estimates have plummeted since that call.

Continue reading Schlumberger: 'Best of breed' in oil services

Schlumberger: 'Best of breed' in oil services originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Valuations for even the best-placed, most well-established companies in the energy space are sitting at levels unseen since the late 1990s when oil prices collapsed to around $10 per barrel," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

Here, the editor of The Energy Strategist looks at Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), noting, "The firm active in just about every imaginable market and I regard the company as a top-notch indicator of ongoing trends in the oil services business."

"It's clear that there's been some slowing in demand, and the credit crunch has had an impact on the fundamental business. But the reaction in the stock market over the past three months goes well beyond even a worst-case scenario.

"Bottom line: Many energy-related stocks are pricing in a severe recession and recent action in the broader markets is reminiscent of sentiment characteristically seen near market lows. The short-term outlook for the energy patch is much better now than it was during the bear market in 1998 and 2002.

"I regard Schlumberger as a top-notch indicator of ongoing trends in the oil services business and, more broadly, international oil and gas drilling activity. I always pay close attention to what Schlumberger has to say in its conference calls and, as usual, this quarter's call was instructive.

Continue reading Schlumberger (SLB): Drilling for value

Schlumberger (SLB): Drilling for value originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, is launching a new TV ad that puts the blame of $4.00 gasoline at the feet of Barack Obama. As reported by Breitbart.com the ad asks, "Gas prices-$4, $5, no end in sight, because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America. No to independence from foreign oil. Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?" The answer is Obama.

The fact is that while I doubt only Obama is to blame, the nominee, along with the power brokers in the Democratic party, have presented no solution to help ease pain at the pump. If the jump in crude oil is based on a a supply shortage, then the Republican solution of more drilling, both offshore and in Alaska makes sense.

Obama has rejected this, but has put forward no tangible solution. On the one hand, he agrees that the U.S. needs to be energy independent, but on the other hand, offers no serious way of getting to independence. Wind power and other non-nuclear alternatives don't have the scale to power an entire nation. Just an aside, but isn't it odd that when talking about 'alternative energy,' nuclear is never mentioned, though in other parts of the world like Europe it produces a sizable amount of energy.

As for environmental concerns, oil is now brought out of the ground with cutting edge technology, so worries of huge oil spills isn't all that realistic.

Consumers should stop being held hostage by election year politics, and for the good of the nation, Obama should cross party lines and agree to increased drilling.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer's fund has no position in any stock mentioned, as of 7/21/08.

McCain is right to blame Obama for rising gas prices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the most controversial proposals for dropping the price of oil is to allow drilling in protected parklands and in restricted off-shore areas. Since there are deposits of crude and gas in these areas, it is also one of the more sure-fire ways of adding to production.

It now appears that the waters off Florida are among the most promising. According to the AP, "The early activity here stems from a 2006 Congressional compromise that allows drilling on 8.3 million acres more than 125 miles off the Panhandle."

The promise of the Florida coast is both good news and bad, depending which side of the debate one is on. A find of any real significance is likely to be proof of the fact that opening protected lands will yield results.

For the "green" crown, it could mean the the government will be encouraged to drill of near protected beaches. There may even be wells in Yellowstone.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Florida coast shows promise for oil drilling originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's time to start drilling for oil and natural gas offshore on the east and west coasts. We are wasting our time and our money, and risking our future by not doing so. The energy needs of the United States have made oil our number one import and the biggest factor in our imbalance of trade.

It is not just that oil holds us hostage to the rest of the world. This imbalance of trade means we cannot support ourselves and must borrow from others to get by, and I, for one, have a very hard time with that notion. I prefer independence -- remember that? I think it was an important concept in our founding, way back when.

The imbalance in trade is a mortgage against the future of our children and it is getting worse year after year. The money often goes to foreign governments whose interests are not aligned with ours and they hold us politically and economically captive. Nothing is more shameful than President Bush pleading with Saudi Monarchs to pump more oil.

Continue reading Start drilling offshore: ATW, DO, ESV, HERO, NE, PDE, RDC, RIG

Start drilling offshore: ATW, DO, ESV, HERO, NE, PDE, RDC, RIG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"One of my favorite indicators for the energy markets is the quarterly conference calls and earnings releases from Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB)," says energy sector expert Elliott Gue.

In his The Energy Strategist, he explains, "In this quarter's call, Schlumberger's management team was notably upbeat, the most positive on industry growth expectations in more than a year. This is a key shift in sentiment that has broader implications for the energy patch at large."

"Schlumberger's reports and conference calls have proved extraordinarily useful in the past for determining the most profitable trends and investment themes. The reason for that is simple: Schlumberger is the largest oilfield services company and has its hand in just about every imaginable market all over the world.

"In addition, the company has traditionally offered long, detailed conference calls; CEO Andrew Gould often relates far more than the outlook for Schlumberger and offers considerable color and detail concerning trends for the industry in general.

"This quarter's conference call was no exception. Schlumberger's outlook this quarter was far more upbeat than in its third and fourth quarter 2007 earnings calls.

Continue reading Schlumberger (SLB): A 'deepwater' buy

Schlumberger (SLB): A 'deepwater' buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The company said its quarterly profit jumped to $1.19 billion boosted by soaring crude oil prices. The offshore drilling contractor also benefited from strong sales from its acquired competitor GlobalSantaFe Corp. Going into today's earnings announcement, analysts had been expecting the company to post a profit of $3.33 a share, but Transocean surprised everyone by earning $3.80 a share during the quarter. This is a nice rebound from the same period last year when the the world's largest offshore oil driller reported earnings of $2.62 a share.

Looking at revenue, Transocean said its quarterly sales sales more than doubled to $3.11 billion, compared with $1.33 billion in the same period a year ago, helped by strong sales from GlobalSantaFe. Analysts, on average, were expecting the company show $3.05 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Reuters.

Continue reading Transocean (RIG) profit more than doubles in first quarter

Transocean (RIG) profit more than doubles in first quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 May 2008 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.