The rebound of the U.S. natural gas industry during the last decade is due in large part to the efforts of the nation's independent oil and gas companies who survived the 1986 plunge in oil and gas prices.
Acquiring numerous producing properties placed on the market after the plunge, the independents successfully reduced their operational and development costs and gradually increased their reserves, aided by the increasing availability of external funds resulting from the expansion and deregulation of capital markets. With the continuing development of information age technology, the independents have quickly adapted emerging new exploration and development tools to their own geographic areas of expertise.
Emphasizing natural gas, they now play a much greater role in adding to the nation's oil and gas reserves and expect to successfully compete in future energy markets that increasingly demand natural gas, especially for electricity generation and pollution reduction. With their successes, the independents warrant more recognition in financial circles for the outstanding investment opportunities they represent.
