Lee: <<"The Prize">>
"The Prize" is a fantastic read, IMO, even for laymen, especially if you like history. However, it's quite long and well researched (approximately 800 pages of text & 80 pages of footnotes). It didn't win the Pulitzer Prize in history for nothing! Yet it was also a #1 National Best-Seller. Pretty unique combination, IMO. Highly recommended for anyone with even the remotest interest in investing in the oil & gas sector, especially since political issues have always played such an important part in historical price swings. Yergin and one of my B-school prof's also wrote a book called "Energy Future" back in 1979. That's also a good read.
<<From where, if it's a source you would share, do you 'follow' CERA's output?>>
We have CERA's natural gas and refined products services on retainer at work. Pretty expensive, if I remember correctly -- $10k/yr? -- hence it's not really a fungible consumer product targetted at the masses.
<<Gas to liquid...sounds like aways off right now, but technology these days has a way of succeeding faster than most would think possible when the monetary reasons are in place to drive it.>>
How right you are... Remember synthetic crude back in the 70's and 80's? Many people called it a pipe dream. Now look at syncrude production from the mines in Canada... see it, taste it, smell it, produce it, refine it, sell it, make money off it... <g> Technology is always changing the goalposts in this industry! Therefore you always have to keep an eye on the horizon, or it will reach up and bite you royally in the ass. <g>
FWIW, there was a really interesting interview with Exxon's CEO Lee Raymond in Fortune or Forbes magazine about a month ago. The "gas to liquids" technology was mentioned there, too. Take a look at that article if you want a little more information.
<<It's a very small portfolio right now, as I'm trying to fathom the intricacies of self-directed investing, and refuse to bet the ranch, but I am long a tiny amount of GLM, and view it as a five year minimum hold, core holding, with ~equal amounts in a couple of tech offerings.>>
If you want to play this sector the safe way, invest in the FSESX mutual fund (Fidelity Select Energy Services). It's a no-brainer. Great upside exposure, IMO, and you don't have to worry about picking the winners. Just plunk it down and let 'er run. <g> But don't act just on my advice. Please do your own due diligence.
Thanks for your compliments. I'll keep posting when I think I can add some value to the discussion, and I'll trust you guys to keep me in line when I go off course. <vbg> |
