InterOil Corporation (USA) (IOC), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC), Noble Energy, Inc. (NBL): Three Energy Companies for Frontier Market Plays

Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) boasts an enviable track record of recent natural gas discoveries. In 1998, it discovered natural gas off the Israeli coast. Later, Noble found the Leviathan and Karish natural gas plays, with the Leviathan described as the biggest natural gas find in its history. Nearby Cyprus recently signed a tentative deal with Noble to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on its Southern Coast. Off the coast of Equatorial New Guinea and Cameroon, oil and natural gas fields were discovered. For all three countries, gas exports to Europe or Asia figure in their future.

The most recent earnings report showed Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) improving its earnings over the first three- and six-month periods compared to 2012. A major driver of these earnings were international operations such as the Equatorial New Guinea and the Israeli gas fields. The company continues exploring in frontier regions including Nicaragua and the Falkland Islands.

Onshore US and offshore Gulf of Mexico oil production add revenue and stability to Noble’s balance sheet. Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) seems particularly optimistic about its Colorado oil plays. All to say, Noble seems to be hitting on all cylinders as it produces growing volumes of oil and natural gas.

Final Foolish thoughts
Of these three companies, I like Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) best. The company operates a range of established and frontier assets, all producing or poised to produce growing revenue. Unlike Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:APC), Noble has no liabilities like the Deepwater Horizon disaster to slow it down. So far, none of its frontier operations show signs of political instability or conflict.

That could change if Argentine President Fernandez carries out her threat to have recently seized YPF corporation search for oil off the Falkland Islands. Even if Fernandez pulls such a stunt, Noble’s many other assets should keep pumping profits for years to come.

The article 3 Energy Companies for Frontier Market Plays originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Robert Zimmerman.

Robert Zimmerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 

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