Top Oil Companies To Watch For 2014

Next year, according to a report from the International Energy Agency, global, non-OPEC oil production will see the most growth and output in four decades, writes Grant Smith of The National.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated on Friday that non-Opec oil producers, led by the United States, Canada, and Kazakhstan will bolster supplies next year by the most since the 1970s, undermining the need for Opec's crude.

Non-Opec producers will increase output in 2014 by a near-record 1.7 million barrels a day to 56.4m, the IEA said, boosting its forecasts from a month ago by 300,000 barrels a day.

Supply losses in the Opec members Libya and Iraq, which reduced the group's output to a two-year low, are preventing the new shipments from calming oil prices, the Paris-based adviser to energy-consuming nations said.

��on-Opec crude and other liquids supply scaled new heights lately��and this ��urge looks less like a one-off than a preview,��the IEA said in its monthly market report. ��mid exceptional outages in Libya and Iraq, this gusher didn't do much to douse oil markets, though. With Opec losses partly cancelling out North American gains, crude prices have remained well-supported.��

Hot Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2015: Gastar Exploration Ltd (GST)

Gastar Exploration Ltd (Gastar) is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in the United States. The Company�� principal business activities include the identification, acquisition, and subsequent exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties with an emphasis on unconventional reserves, such as shale resource plays. As of December 31, 2011, it is pursuing the development of liquids-rich natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in the Appalachia area of West Virginia and, to a lesser extent, central and southwestern Pennsylvania. The Company also holds prospective acreage in the deep Bossier play in the Hilltop area of East Texas and conduct limited coal bed methane (CBM) development activities within the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana. The Company is a holding company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Heather Ingrassia]

  Gastar Agreement: On April 1st it was announced that Gastar Exploration, Ltd. (GST) had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire proven reserves and undeveloped leasehold interests in Kingfisher and Canadian counties of Oklahoma from Chesapeake Energy Corporation, repurchase Chesapeake's common shares of the Company and settle all litigation for $1 million. Although smaller in scope than most of Chesapeake's previous asset-shedding transactions, the agreement with Gastar accomplishes two things. First, is the fact the settlement resolves the legal wrangling both companies were engaged in and as a result Chesapeake walks away with $85 million of the potential $130 million they were suing for. Second, is the fact Chesapeake wipes it hands of acreage, that although producing, may not be producing as much as Chesapeake had once hoped, and therefore was worth much more to Gastar in the long run.

Top Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Schlumberger Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. The company?s Oilfield Services segment provides exploration and production services; wireline technology that offers open-hole and cased-hole services; supplies engineering support, directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; and testing services. This segment also offers well services; supplies well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; geo services; and information solutions, such as consulting, software, information management system, and IT infrastructure services that support oil and gas industry. Its WesternGeco segment provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services; and operates data processing centers and multiclient seismic library. This segment also offers variou s services include 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multi-component surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The company?s M-I SWACO segment supplies drilling fluid systems to improve drilling performance; fluid systems and specialty tools to optimize wellbore productivity; production technology solutions to maximize production rates; and environmental solutions that manages waste volumes generated in drilling and production operations. Its Smith Oilfield segment designs, manufactures, and markets drill bits and borehole enlargement tools; and supplies drilling tools and services, tubular, completion services, and other related downhole solutions. The company?s Distribution segment markets pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as mill, safety, and other maintenance products. This segment also provides warehouse management, vendor integration, and inventory management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Notable earnings released on Friday included:

  Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) reported third quarter EPS of $0.50 on revenue of $8.10 billion, compared to last year�� loss of $0.55 per share on revenue of $5.29 billion. General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) reported third quarter EPS of $0.36 on revenue of $35.7 3 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.36 on revenue of $36.35 billion. Ingersol-Rand (NYSE: IR) reported EPS of $0.57 on revenue of $3.75 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $1.07 on revenue of $3.59 billion. Schlumberger N.V. (NYSE: SLB) reported third quarter EPS of $1.29 on revenue of $11.61 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $1.08 on revenue of $10.61 billion. Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) reported EPS of $1.24 on revenue of $9.65 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $1.20 on revenue of $9.34 billion.

  Pre-Market Movers

Top Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Technip (TKPPY)

Technip SA (Technip), incorporated on April 21, 1958, is a holding company. Technip is engaged in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry, and holds a portfolio of solutions and technologies. The Company operates in two segments: Subsea, and Onshore/Offshore. Its main markets include onshore plants, offshore platforms and subsea construction. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was present in 48 countries, and had industrial assets on continents and operates a fleet of vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. As of February 29, 2012, its production facilities (for flexible pipes and umbilicals), manufacturing yards and spoolbases were located in Angola, Brazil, France, the United States, Finland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Norway and the United Kingdom. As of December 31, 2011, its fleet consisted of 34 vessels in subsea rigid and flexible pipelines, subsea construction and diving support, four of which were under construction. Technip operates in seven regions, which include Middle East, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Americas, Asia Pacific and Africa. On August 31, 2012, the Company announced the completion of the Stone & Webster process technologies and associated oil and gas engineering capabilities acquisition from The Shaw Group Inc.

On December 1, 2011, Technip acquired 100% of the shares of Global Industries, Ltd (Global Industries). On November 14, 2011, Technip acquired 45.70% of Cybernetix S.A. On July 28, 2011, Technip acquired 100% of AETech. On February 28, 2011, Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company, acquired EPD. On January 26, 2011, Technip acquired all of the assets of the Subocean group, a United Kingdom-based subsea cable-installation company engaged in marine renewable energies. On January 24, 2011, Technip acquired Front End Re, a reinsurance company.

Technip provides integrated design, engineering, manufacturing and installation services for infrastructures and subsea pipe systems! used in oil and gas production and transportation. With respect to hydrocarbon field development, Technip�� subsea operations include the design, manufacture and installation of rigid and flexible subsea pipelines, as well as umbilicals. The Company offers a range of subsea pipe technologies and solutions, and holds industrial and operational assets. As of December 31, 2011, Technip had three flexible pipe manufacturing plants, four umbilical production units, four reeled rigid pipe spoolbases and a evolving fleet of vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. The Company�� services include the turnkey delivery of these subsea systems, particularly, offshore work (pipelay and subsea construction) and the manufacture of critical equipment, such as umbilicals and flexible pipes.

Technip also handles the supply of other subsea equipment and the procurement of rigid pipes that the Company acquires from third parties on an international bid. In addition, to the engineering and installation of systems, Subsea activities also include the maintenance and repair of existing subsea infrastructures and the replacement or removal of subsea equipment. Technip performs the engineering and manufacturing of the flexible pipes. Its flexible pipes engineering centers are in Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Oslo, Aberdeen, Kuala Lumpur, Perth and Houston. It has manufacturing units in Vitoria (Brazil), in Le Trait (France) and it has Asiaflex Products center in Johor Bahru (Malaysia). During the year ended December 31, 2011, Technip initiated the fabrication of a second flexible plant in Brazil, within the Porto do Acu development.

The Company is engaged in engineering and construction for the range of onshore facilities for the oil and gas industry, including refining, hydrogen, gas treatment and liquefaction, ethylene and petrochemicals, onshore pipelines, as well as non-oil facilities, including mining and metallurgical projects, biofuels, wind offshore and renewable energy. Techni! p holds s! everal technologies and it designs and constructs of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas treatment plants. The Company also designs and builds infrastructures related to hydrogen production units, electricity units and sulfur recovery units, as well as storage units. It designs and builds types of facilities for the development of onshore oil and gas fields, from wellheads to processing facilities and product export systems. In addition to participating in the development of onshore fields, Technip also renovates existing facilities. Technip builds pipeline systems chiefly for natural gas, crude oil and oil products, water and liquid sulfur.

Technip offers a range of services to clients who wish to produce, process, fractionate and market the products of natural gas. The majority of business conducted pertains to the liquefaction of methane. Services provided by Technip to its customers range from feasibility studies to construction of entire industrial complexes. The Company manages aspects of projects from the preparation of feasibility studies to the design, construction and start-up of complex refineries or single refinery units. In 2011, Technip had been engaged in developing its footprint in the fast growing renewable energies market. Technip also offers its engineering and construction services to industries other than oil and gas, principally to mining and metal companies. As of February 29, 2012, its clients included oil companies, such as BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Shell, Statoil and Total, and number of national companies, such as ADNOC, PDVSA, Petrobras, Petronas, Qatar Petroleum, Saudi Aramco and Sonatrach, as well as independent companies, such as Anadarko.

Technip designs, manufactures and installs fixed and floating platforms that support surface facilities for the drilling, production and processing of oil and gas reserves located in offshore shallow water fields, as well as deep water fields. Technip is also builds complex facilities, including ! the float! ing production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units and floating LNG (FLNG). Fixed platforms include topsides supported by conventional jackets, gravity base structure (GBSs) and the TPG 500 (a jack-up production platform). Floating platforms include topsides supported by Spars, tension leg platforms (TLPs), semi-submersibles, as well as solutions, such as the extendable draft platform (EDP). In addition, Technip owns technologies for installing topsides using the floatover method for fixed and floating platforms. During 2011, in the North Sea area, Technip started engineering on Statoil�� Valemon project in the Norwegian sector.

The Company competes with Subsea 7, Aker Solutions, Allseas, Heerema, Helix, McDermott, Saipem, Sapura-Clough, NKT-Flexibles, Prysmian, Nexans, Oceaneering, Wellstream, Bechtel, CB&I, Fluor, Foster Wheeler, Jacobs, KBR, Chiyoda, JGC, Toyo, Petrofac, Saipem, Tecnicas Reunidas, GS, Samsung Engineering, SK, Aker Solutions, Hyundai, Daewoo, Samsung Heavy Industry, SBM and Modec.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Rooney]

  Political risks lurk: The big risk for Europe's recovery remains an escalation in the dispute with Russia over Ukraine. EU officials are due to present options for much tougher sanctions Thursday, including measures that could restrict Russia's access to European financial markets, as well as arms and energy technology. France's Technip (TKPPY) said sanctions may hurt its profit margins this year.

Top Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: LinnCo LLC (LNCO)

Linn Co, LLC (Linn Co) sole purpose is to own LINN Energy, LLC (LINN) units. LINN is independent oil and natural gas company. LINN is focused on the development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties, which include various producing basins within the United States. LINN�� properties are located in eight operating regions, which include Mid-Continent, which includes properties in Oklahoma, Louisiana and the eastern portion of the Texas Panhandle; Hugoton Basin, which includes properties located primarily in Kansas and the Shallow Texas Panhandle; Green River Basin, which includes properties located in southwest Wyoming; Permian Basin, which includes areas in west Texas and southeast New Mexico; Michigan/Illinois, which includes the Antrim Shale formation in the northern part of Michigan and oil properties in southern Illinois; California, which includes the Brea Olinda Field of the Los Angeles Basin; Williston/Powder River Basin, which includes the Bakken formation in North Dakota and the Powder River Basin in Wyoming, and East Texas, which includes properties located in east Texas. On March 30, 2012, the Company acquired certain oil and natural gas properties (Properties) located primarily in the Hugoton Basin of Southwestern Kansas from BP America Production Company (BP). On May 1, 2012, LINN completed the acquisition of certain oil and natural gas properties located in east Texas. In December 2013, Linn Energy LLC and Linn Co, LLC (Linn Co) announced the completion of the merger between LinnCo and Berry Petroleum Company (Berry), where LinnCo had acquired all of Berry's interest.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, LINN drilled a total of 294 gross wells. As of June 1, 2012, LINN had interests in approximately 15,000 gross productive wells (approximately 71% operated) and approximately 1.8 million net acres across seven regions in the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  Investors in LINN Energy (NASDAQ: LINE  ) have been rattled lately as bears have been bashing the company's units. To top it off, those units were hit again last week as rumors began to surface that the complex deal with its affiliate LinnCo (NASDAQ: LNCO  ) to buy�Berry Petroleum (NYSE: BRY  ) was being delayed. The big concern is that the deal might fall apart, which would be a major blow to the company.

• [By Tyler Crowe]

  If you're looking for income investments, then it's awfully hard to argue with the massive distribution payments from LINN Energy (NASDAQ: LINE  ) (NASDAQ: LNCO  ) , Breitburn Energy Partners (NASDAQ: BBEP  ) , and Vanguard Natural Resources (NASDAQ: VNR  ) . Thing is, though, income investments need both a decent yield and a level of certainty that it will keep that distribution going for many years to come. Other than being high-yielding investments, they are also all master limited partnerships, which means you need to look beyond just the operations to see how these companies will stand the test of time.

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  LINN Energy (NASDAQ: LINE  )
  Investors in LINN energy are no strangers to the role acquisitions play in giving the company the ability to raise its distribution. Along with its announced acquisition of Berry Petroleum (NYSE: BRY  ) in conjunction with its affiliate LinnCo (NASDAQ: LNCO  ) earlier this year, LINN announced a sizable boost to its distribution. While I wouldn't expect to see any mention of another dividend increase this quarter, what we might see is confirmation that the company is switching to a monthly distribution.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Linn Energy have gained 0.6% to $28.45 at 3:12 p.m. today, while LinnCo (LNCO) has risen 0.4% to $27.59. ExxonMobil has fallen 0.5% to $101.52.

Top Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Transocean Ltd (RIGN)

Transocean Ltd. (Transocean) is an international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The Company operates in two segments: contract drilling services and drilling management services. Contract drilling services, the Company�� primary business, involves contracting its mobile offshore drilling fleet, related equipment and work crews primarily on a dayrate basis to drill oil and gas wells. Its drilling management services segment provides oil and gas drilling management services on either a dayrate basis or a completed-project, fixed-price (or turnkey) basis, as well as drilling engineering and drilling project management services. As of February 14, 2012, it owned or had partial ownership interests in and operated 134 mobile offshore drilling units. On October 4, 2011, the Company acquired Aker Drilling ASA (Aker Drilling). In February 2011, it sold the subsidiary that owns the High-Specification Jackup Trident 20.

During the year ended December 31, 2011 (during 2011), the Company completed the sale of its 50% ownership interest in ODL to Siem Offshore Inc. In October 2011, the Company completed the sale of Challenger Minerals (North Sea) Limited. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� fleet consisted of 50 High-Specification Floaters (Ultra-Deepwater, Deepwater and Harsh Environment semisubmersibles and drillships), 25 Midwater Floaters, nine High-Specification Jackups, 49 Standard Jackups and one swamp barge. In addition, it had two Ultra-Deepwater Floaters and four High-Specification Jackups under construction.

Drilling Fleet

The Company engaged in both types of drilling activity: floaters, including drillships and semisubmersibles, and jackups. Also included in its fleet is a swamp barge drilling unit. It categorized the drilling units of its fleet as High-Specification Floaters, consisting of its Ultra-Deepwater Floaters, Deepwater Floaters and Harsh Environment Floaters, Midwater Floaters, High-Specification Jackups, St! andard Jackups and a swamp barge. High-Specification Floaters are specialized offshore drilling units that it categorize into three sub-classifications based on their capabilities. Ultra-Deepwater Floaters are equipped with mud pumps and are capable of drilling in water depths of 7,500 feet or greater. Deepwater Floaters are generally those other semisubmersible rigs and drillships capable of drilling in water depths between 7,500 and 4,500 feet. Harsh Environment Floaters are capable of drilling in harsh environments in water depths between 10,000 and 1,500 feet and have displacement, which offers variable load capacity, more useable deck space and motion characteristics. Midwater Floaters are generally consists of those non-high-specification semisubmersibles that have a water depth capacity of less than 4,500 feet.

As of February 14, 2012, the Company�� fleet was located in the Far East (27 units), Middle East (16 units), West African countries other than Nigeria and Angola (14 units), United States Gulf of Mexico (13 units), United Kingdom North Sea (12 units), India (12 units), Brazil (10 units), Nigeria (10 units), Norway (eight units), Angola (four units), Australia (three units), the Mediterranean (two units), Canada (two units), and Romania (one unit).

Contract Drilling Services

The Company specializes in offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services. Its contract drilling operations are geographically dispersed in oil and gas exploration and development areas throughout the world.

Drilling Management Services

The Company provides drilling management services primarily on a turnkey basis through Applied Drilling Technology Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, which primarily operates in the United States Gulf of Mexico, and through ADT International, a division of one of its United Kingdom subsidiaries, which primarily operates in the North Sea (together, ADTI). As part o! f its tur! nkey drilling services, the Company provides planning, engineering and management services. Under turnkey arrangements, it designs and executes of a well and delivers a logged or cased hole to an agreed depth. In addition to turnkey drilling services, Transocean participates in project management operations that include providing certain planning, management and engineering services, purchasing equipment and providing personnel and other logistical services to customers.

Integrated Services

Transocean provides well and logistics services in addition to its normal drilling services through third party contractors and the Company�� employees. These other services include integrated services. As of February 10, 2011, it was performing such services in India.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Nestle, which makes up 21 percent of the benchmark Swiss Market Index by weight, slid 2.6 percent after reporting the slowest first-half revenue growth in four years. Adecco SA jumped to a two-year high as the biggest provider of temporary workers posted income that exceeded projections. Transocean Ltd. (RIGN), the largest offshore-rig contractor, added 1.1 percent after posting a second-quarter profit.

Top Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Mid-Con Energy Partners LP (MCEP)

Mid-Con Energy Partners, LP, incorporated on July 27,2001, is engaged the acquisition, exploitation and development of producing oil and natural gas properties in North America, with a focus on the Mid-Continent region of the United States. It operates as one business segment engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas properties. Its properties are located in the Mid-Continent region of the United States in three core areas: Southern Oklahoma, Northeastern Oklahoma and parts of Oklahoma and Colorado within the Hugoton Basin. Its properties primarily consist of mature, legacy onshore oil reservoirs with long-lived, relatively predictable production profiles and low production decline rates. During June 2012, it acquired properties in the Northeastern Oklahoma area and additional working interests in its existing units in the Southern Oklahoma area in separate transactions, subject to customary purchase price.

As of December 31, 2012, its total estimated proved reserves were approximately 13.1 MMBoe, of which approximately 99% were oil and 67% were proved developed, both on a Boe basis. As of December 31, 2012, it operated 99% of its properties through its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating and 99% of its properties were being produced under waterflood, in each instance on a Boe basis. Its average net production for the month ended December 31, 2012 was approximately 2,376 Boe per day and its total estimated proved reserves had an average reserve-to-production ratio of approximately 15 years. It has developed approximately 53% of total proved reserves through new waterflood projects.

The Company operates approximately 99% of its properties, as calculated on a Boe basis as of December 31, 2012, through its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating. All of its non-operated wells are managed by third-party operators who are typically independent oil and natural gas companies. It designs and manages the development, recompletion or workover for all of! the wells it operates and supervise operation and maintenance activities.

Southern Oklahoma

The Highlands Unit is in the SE Joiner City Field, an oil-weighted field located in Love County, Oklahoma. Production from the Highlands Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 8,000 feet. The Highlands Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 32 gross (23 net) producing, 24 gross injection (17 net) and three gross (two net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 71%. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 947barrels of oil (Boe) per day gross, 547 Boe per day net, and contained 3,665 million barrels of oil (MBoe) of estimated net proved reserves.

The Battle Springs Unit is in the SE Joiner City Field, an oil-weighted field located in Love County, Oklahoma. Production from the Battle Springs Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 8,850 feet. The Battle Springs Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 25 gross (13 net) producing, 18 gross injection (nine net), and one gross (one net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 51%. As of December 31, 2012,, its properties in this unit were producing 609 Boe per day gross, 248 Boe per day net, and contained 964 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Twin Forks Unit is in the SE Joiner City Field, an oil-weighted field located in Carter County, Oklahoma. Production from the Twin Forks Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 7,000 feet. The Twin Forks Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 10 gross (seven net) producing, four gross (three net) i! njection ! and one gross (one net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 64%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this unit were producing 975 Boe per day gross, 503 Boe per day net, and contained 1,157 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Ardmore West Unit is in the Ardmore West Field, an oil-weighted field located in Carter County, Oklahoma. Production from the Ardmore West Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 7,200 feet. It owns four gross (four net) producing and four gross (four net) injection and 3 gross (3 net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 97%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this unit were producing 34 Boe per day gross, 26 Boe per day net, and contained 744 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Southeast Hewitt Unit is in the SE Wilson Field, an oil-weighted field located in Carter County, Oklahoma. Production from the Southeast Hewitt Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 6,000 feet. The Southeast Hewitt Unit is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 192 Boe per day gross, 36 Boe per day net, and contained 111 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves for this unit.

Northeastern Oklahoma

The Cleveland Field is an oil-weighted field located in Pawnee County, Oklahoma. Production from the Cleveland Field is primarily from the multiple Pennsylvanian age sands at depths from 1,000 to 2,400 feet. Approximately 1,800 gross acres in the Cleveland Field is being operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating. Approximately 1,000 of the total 1,800 gross acres have been acquired in the last four years. It has been actively developing its Cleveland Field leases through drilling, recompletions and workovers, resulting in increase of net prod! uction wi! thin the last two years. The majority of Mid-Con Energy Operating operated leases are produced under waterflood. It operates 118 gross (114 net) producing wells and 29 gross (27 net) injection wells in this field with an average working interest of 97%. As of December 31, 2012,, its properties in this field were producing 320 Boe per day gross, 269 Boe per day net, and contained 2,127 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. The Cleveland Field is flooded on a lease basis and not as a unit, with the date of production response to injection varying from lease to lease.

The Cushing Field, one of the oil fields (by total historical production volume) in the United States is an oil-weighted field located in Creek County, Oklahoma. Production from the Cushing Field is primarily from multiple Pennsylvanian age sands at depths from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, operates approximately 3,360 acres in the Cushing Field, the majority of which are being produced under waterflood. It operates 79 gross (30 net) producing wells and 39 gross (14 net) injection wells in this field with an average working interest of 37%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this field were producing 346 Boe per day gross, 108 Boe per day net, and contained 689 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. The Cushing field is flooded on a lease basis and not as units, with waterflood responses varying from lease to lease.

The Skiatook Waterflood Project is in the Skiatook Field, an oil-weighted field located in Osage County, Oklahoma. Production from the Skiatook Project is primarily from the Bartlesville and Burgess formations at an average depth of approximately 1,600 feet. The Skiatook Project was developed by and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 13 gross (13 net) producing and 3 gross (3 net) injection wells in this field with a working interest of 100%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this fi! eld were ! producing 38 Boe per day gross, 31 Boe per day net, and contained 218 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

Hugoton Basin

The War Party I and II Units are in the SE Guymon Field, an oil-weighted field located in Texas County, Oklahoma. Production from the War Party I and II Units is from the Cherokee formation at an average depth of approximately 5,800 feet. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in these units contained 1,275 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. Production As of December 31, 2012, was 254 Boe per day gross, 220 Boe per day net. These are mature waterflood properties which have already reached peak production rates and where injection commenced several years prior to its acquisition.

The Harker Ranch Unit is in the Harker Ranch Field, an oil-weighted field located in Cheyenne County, Colorado. Production from the Harker Ranch Field is from the Morrow formation at an average depth of approximately 5,200 feet. The Harker Ranch Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this unit were producing 148 Boe per day gross, 122 Boe per day net, and contained 208 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit is in the North Hitchland Field, an oil-weighted field located in Texas County, Oklahoma. Production from the Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit is from the Cherokee formation at an average depth of approximately 5,700 feet. The Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 256 Boe per day gross, 214 Boe per day net. As of December 31, 2012, the Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit contained 1,654 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. Proved producing and proved developed reserves represent 57% and 86%, respectively, of the total proved reserves for this unit as ! of Decemb! er 31, 2012.

Other Properties

Decker Unit is in the NW Little Field, an oil-weighted field located in Seminole County, Oklahoma. Production from the Decker Unit is from the Earlsboro formation at an average depth of approximately 3,600 feet. The Decker Unit was formed and is operated by itsaffiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 24 Boe per day gross, 19 Boe per day net, and contained 210 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. As a result of ongoing response to waterflooding, proved producing and proved developed reserves represent 30% and 100%, respectively, of the total proved reserves as of December 31, 2012.

The balance of the Company�� properties, located throughout the State of Oklahoma, consist of a mix of operated and non-operated properties, none of which are under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its other properties contained approximately 124 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves and generated average net production of approximately 33 Boe per day for the month ended December 31, 2012.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  VNR is one of 14 companies/partnerships that are categorized as exploration and production, or ��pstream.��Other notable entries in this category include BreitBurn Energy Partners (Nasdaq: BBEP), Linn Energy (Nasdaq: LINE), Memorial Production Partners (Nasdaq: MEMP), QR Energy (NYSE: QRE), Legacy Reserves (Nasdaq: LGCY), EV Energy Partners (Nasdaq: EVEP), and Mid-Con Energy Partners (Nasdaq: MCEP).

• [By Robert Rapier]

  Next week�� issue will tackle the three remaining questions: one on MLP equivalents in Canada and Australia, one on Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP) �and TC Pipelines (NYSE: TCP), and a third query on Access Midstream Partners (NYSE: ACMP), Crestwood Midstream Partners (NYSE: CMLP) and Mid-Con Energy Partners (Nasdaq: MCEP).

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Mid-Con Energy Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: MCEP) is a top stock to buy at Oppenheimer and also recently was�upped to a buy at Robert Baird. With strong second-quarter earnings and solid prospects for the balance of the year, the company may be under the radar of most investors. The Oppenheimer price target is at $28. The consensus target is at $27. Investors are paid a solid 8.6% distribution.

• [By Daniel Gibbs]

  One investment vehicle that any investor interested in income should be familiar with is the master limited partnership, or MLP, as they�are some of the best income investments available today. Most master limited partnerships are in the business of owning and operating oil and gas pipelines such as Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP  ) or Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP  ) . However, there are some MLPs that actually operate oil and gas wells such as Breitburn Energy Partners (NASDAQ: BBEP  ) and Mid-Con Energy Partners (NASDAQ: MCEP  ) . In this article, we will discuss how these investments work and why they deserve a place in your income portfolio.