Ready for a natural gas rebound

Article Excerpt

Natural gas prices recently dropped below $2 U.S. per thousand cubic feet, their lowest level in 10 years. That’s because new shale gas discoveries and record warm temperatures have increased inventories. Prices have since moved up somewhat, to $2.77. The low prices have pushed down shares of producers that rely heavily on natural gas, including Bellatrix Exploration and Delphi Energy (below). Even so, the long-term outlook for natural gas prices, and for both these stocks, remains positive. BELLATRIX EXPLORATION $3.82 (Toronto symbol BXE; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (403-266- 8670; www.bellatrixexploration.com; Shares outstanding: 107.5 million; Market cap: $410.7 million; No dividends paid) produces oil and natural gas in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan. Gas makes up about 63% of its output; the remaining 37% is oil. In the three months ended June 30, 2012, Bellatrix’s production rose 42.3%, to 16,569 barrels of oil equivalent per day (including natural gas) from 11,643 barrels. The company’s highly effective drilling continues to add to its production: in the latest…