Technical Analysis on SandRidge and Hercules: Drilling & Exploration Companies to Benefit from Shale Oil Boom

LONDON, February 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Oil production in the U.S. is expected to rise significantly over the next decade thanks to shale revolution. In fact, the U.S. will become energy independent in the next few years, if forecasts prove correct. For oil and gas drilling & exploration companies such as SandRidge Energy Inc. (NYSE: SD) and Hercules Offshore Inc. (NASDAQ: HERO), the shale revolution in the U.S. offers a significant opportunity. StockCall has posted free technical research on SandRidge Energy and Hercules Offshore which can be downloaded upon sign up at http://www.stockcall.com/signup

Shale Revolution & Near-Term Outlook

According the International Energy Agency (IEA) last year's forecast the U.S. oil production will equal that of Saudi Arabia by 2017. The IEA expects the U.S. to surpass Saudi Arabia as the world leader in oil production by 2022. This is a significant development for the oil and gas industry in the U.S. For SandRidge Energy Inc. and Hercules Offshore Inc. the shale revolution offers tremendous opportunities.

The near-term outlook for the oil and gas drilling & exploration industry is bullish in the wake of improving macroeconomic environment. Oil demand, according to Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is expected to remain stable in 2013. A rebound in the Chinese economy, the world's second biggest consumer of oil, also augurs well for the industry.

Shift to Oil

Another major trend in the oil and gas industry has been the shift to the oil exploration and development from natural gas. Declining natural gas prices (prices hit a record low last year) has prompted oil and gas exploration companies to shift focus to oil. This trend is expected to continue in 2013.

Hercules Offshore Inc. Reports Q4 Results

This week, Hercules Offshore Inc. reported its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012. The company reported income from continuing operations of $4.3 million, or $0.03 per share, and revenue of $202.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 as compared to a loss from continuing operations of $21.5 million, or $0.16 per share, and revenue of $162.8 million reported for the same period in the previous year. The free report on Hercules Offshore Inc. can be downloaded by signing up now at http://www.StockCall.com/HERO021513.pdf  

John T. Rynd, President and CEO of Hercules Offshore Inc., said that market fundamentals in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico strengthened throughout 2012 to levels that in many respects are the best they have been in the long history of drilling in the region.

Rynd said that as the company begins 2013, the visibility in its core domestic business is unsurpassed, with customer discussions already focusing on 2014 demand. Rynd added that the company's international operations are in the early stages of a transformation, where the company seeks to expand its global footprint and high-grade its asset mix in key offshore markets.

SandRidge Energy Inc. to Report Results at the End of This Month

SandRidge Energy Inc. will release its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2012 on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Sign up and read the complimentary report on SandRidge Energy Inc. at http://www.StockCall.com/SD021513.pdf  

In the third quarter of 2012, the company had reported adjusted EBITDA of $297 million as opposed to $171 million reported for the same period in the previous year.

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