With the national average of unleaded regular gasoline above $3.15 and oil's recent price surge not fully felt by refiners yet, there's a good chance gasoline will hit $4 per gallon this summer in the United States, particularly if driving patterns mirror previous summers.

Moreover, gasoline is already above $4 in certain high-cost zones in California and in Hawaii, the Associated Press reported Friday.

What's a good way to cope with the above? Turn it your advantage, to the extent possible, at both ends. Accordingly, here are a few tactics for investors and consumers in the $4 gasoline era.

Readers of this space know that one argument forwarded here is that in the era of elevated energy prices the oil/natural gas services sector is likely to remain strong for the foreseeable future, barring the discovery of cheap, widely-available alternative energy. And among oil/natural gas services companies, Superior Energy Services is worth a review.

Superior Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: SPN) provides specialized oil field services to oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Gulf Coast. The company also sells and rents oil/gas well drill equipment and tools on four continents.

In general, analysts like SPN's rental tools and intervention services businesses, and the fact that SPN's services help oil/gas companies maintain production during seasonal down periods, which anesthetizes SPN somewhat from commodity price volatility.

When one can combine systems technology and oil services, that company is worth an evaluation, and FMC Technologies fits the bill.

FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) designs and manufactures services, technology systems and products for energy systems, food operations, and airport systems.

Analysts really like FTI's energy systems business, which helps companies control the flow of oil/gas producing wells, among other tasks. As of September 2007, FTI had an energy systems order backlog of $3.3 billion, up more than 65% from a year earlier.

Overall, analysts see revenue increasing 14-17% in 2008, after a likely 12-15% gain in 2007. The Reuters F2007/F2008 EPS consensus estimates for FTI are $2.21/$2.79.

The risks? Analysts are keeping an eye on subsea drilling activity. Also, a sustained, substantial drop in oil's price will no doubt affect oil/natural gas companies' service budgets, and FTI's operations.

The First Call mean rating for FTI is: Hold. [22 firms.] Mean 2008 target: $64.00. [high: $80, low: $47.]

Stock Analysis: FMC Technologies is a moderate-risk stock not suitable for low-risk investors. Investors with an investment horizon longer than two years should be rewarded from FTI's shares. Sell / Stop Loss if you were to purchase shares in this company: $36.

DISCLOSURE: Joseph Lazzaro has no positions in stocks. In addition to private real estate holdings, he owns corporate and municipal bonds, and cash certificates of deposit.