Looking stock over, for small buy-in and hold (small time investor).
There has been some talk about Dividend getting a haircut, but a crew-cut beats being shaved clean?
Adding to your train of thought . . . there is growing trend of terror attacks in ME, and the large producers are not immune? This could cause spike in prices.
Also, looking like RIG stock is over-due for another 'bang-up' for the large investors?
I also see future of oil exploration is deep ocean drilling, Med---Cuba---China Sea---North Pole. RIG can get those contracts, as USA and EU prod the Russian Bear, and lose this business?
Saudis also might be entering USA/EU stock market, and using counter-option positions to off-set their energy market lost profits? Nothing has really been mentioned about this angle.
Another strange change effect in the mix: Administration, Demos and Repubs and their sponsors have growing agreement, that something like a carbon tax can now be applied to current low price of energy products. Now would roughly be the time to apply them; as more taxes are needed to 'fund' military, social, and road and city repairs. <---especially as consideration is given to having low or tax-free'return' of overseas held multinational profits to USA . . . with condition it is spend on new physical plant investments and hiring USA unemployed (who will be paying again their taxes). Throw in the Keystone Pipeline agreement (with requirement its flow goes overseas to obtain higher Multinational profits) . . . even the Tea-Baggers will crow! And, the eco-bots can do circles and circles in the ocean . . . and sue themselves up. Everyone is happy but the foreign fish trawlers (and the fish). . . but they do not count in voting power.
Then, petro and energy prices can rise slowly back for oil companies share, as time goes by.
