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The introduction of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has led to a production renaissance for U.S. oil and natural gas companies.
By 2015, the United States will surpass Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world's biggest oil producer, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
And that's not the only good news.
Last week, U.S. oil and natural gas companies helped reverse a historic trend that has plagued the country since 1995, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
It said that in October, domestic oil production exceeded crude oil imports for the first time since 1995, while petroleum net imports were the lowest since February 1991. The EIA also reported last week that the Gulf Coast put out a record 207.2 million barrels of oil.
What's behind this trend reversal?
The answer leads us to where the profits lie…
The Driving Force Behind the U.S. Energy Sector Boom
While the government tends to take credit for the energy surge, it's the private sector that's driving the boom. Companies are taking on massive projects and developing technological innovation around the country.
According to CNBC, analysts say oil and gas drillers are just beginning to reap the benefits of the boom in energy-related technology.
"We are on the cusp of the next technology revolution," HighTower partner and managing director Paul Pagnato said to CNBC on Tuesday. "We're just at the tip of the iceberg."
And on the wings of innovations in tech, oil and natural gas companies are expanding at an astounding rate. From the beginning of 2007 through the end of 2012, the U.S. oil and gas industry recorded a 40% employment jump to 162,000 total jobs. The rest of the private sector grew by 1% in the same time period.
As this trend reversal continues, you could make a lot of money if you know how to invest in the right oil and natural gas companies.
Just on Tuesday, a number of energy companies surpassed their 52-week share-price highs on the Standard & Poor's 500, including EQT Corp. (NYSE: EQT), Hess Corp. (NYSE: HES), and Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI).
And recently, Deutsche Bank placed "Buy" recommendations on several producers and master limited partnerships (MLPs), saying that the "fundamental outlook of U.S. gas demand is compelling."
Two stocks in particular are poised to soar as the United States marches toward greater energy security and increased production of oil and natural gas…
About the Author
Garrett Baldwin is a globally recognized research economist, financial writer, and consultant with degrees from Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, and Indiana University. He is a seasoned financial and political risk analyst, with a focus on stocks, hedge funds, private equity, blockchain, and housing policy. He has conducted risk assessment projects for clients in 27 countries, and consulted on policy and financial operations for some of the nation's largest financial institutions, including a $1.5 trillion credit fund, a $43 billion credit and auto loan giant, as well as two of the largest Wall Street banks by assets under management.
Garrett joined Money Map Press as an economist and researcher in 2011, specializing in alternative strategies with an emphasis on fundamental and technical analysis.