An energy industry researcher and investment advisor provides a fresh perspective on the economics of energy

From major players in the energy industry, such as big oil, to the emerging cap-and-trade market, no other book offers a more complete overview of the energy industry, specifically its economic and financial intricacies, than Investing in Energy: A Primer on the Economics of the Energy Industry.

• Details how to value and invest in the four big energy sectors: oil, gas, power, and green
• Describes key financial considerations for the energy sectors, including credit metrics, the importance of liquidity, cash flow, and capital expenditures
• From Bloomberg, a leading provider of the most up-to-date business news and financial data

A comprehensive guide to the economics of the energy industry, Investing in Energy will prove an invaluable resource for traditional energy investors looking to expand into new areas, as well as for eco-investors looking to better understand how energy markets function.

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INVESTING IN ENERGY
A PRIMER ON THE ECONOMICS OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

AS IT REACTS TO new challenges in regulation, exploration, and alternative energy initiatives, the energy sector has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing and complex sectors for investment. Investing in Energy: A Primer on the Economics of the Energy Industry is a response to this growth, providing the most up-to-date knowledge for both established and would-be investors.

Considering the economics of the industry and the multifaceted factors involved in investing, Investing in Energy identifies and assesses the major energy sectors: oil and natural gas—currently the most dominant sources—as well as power and emerging green industries.

A comprehensive look at the economics of the energy industry, the book reviews the financial considerations necessary for evaluating and assessing investment opportunities, including cash flow, capital structure, and the role of capital markets across a myriad of energy sector firms. It also looks at the financial considerations for these sectors, including key credit metrics, the importance of liquidity, cash flow, and capital expenditure, as well as the multitude of investment strategies applicable to the green energy sector.

A detailed guide to all of the major energy technologies, an overview of the economics of the industry, a review of the financial considerations, and an evaluation of each major sector of energy production, Investing in Energy covers everything from OPEC to biofuels, and everything in between, in order to get investors the information that they need to make informed decisions on how to invest in the energy industry.

Preface. Acknowledgments. Part I Introduction and Financial Considerations. Chapter 1 Historical Perspectives. Oil and Gas Producers. Production Perspectives. Importance of Reserves. Regulatory Environment. Alternative Energy Forms.Alternative Energy Growth. Energy Investment Cost Considerations. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 2 Investment Opportunities in Energy. Asia Comes of Age. Australia's Natural Gas Boom. Brazil Beckons with Deepwater. Iraq's Road to Recovery. North American Unconventional Natural Gas Plays. Solar Power Generation. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 3 Cash Flow and Liquidity at Various Crude Prices. Independent Oil Companies. National Oil Companies. Capital Expenditure Planning. Liquidity - Cash is Still King. Liquidity Metrics. Cash-Flow Considerations. Cash-Flow Metrics. Leverage. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 4 Capital Structure and Capital Markets. Capital Structure. Investors. Alternative Energy Subsidies. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 5 The Quarterly Earnings Disconnect. Short Term versus Long Term. Business Risks. Concluding Thoughts. Part II Crude Oil and Natural Gas. Chapter 6 Analyzing Reserves. Authorities on Reserves. Proven Reserves. Industry Nomenclature. Proven Reserve Criterion. Unproven Reserves. Certification Process. More on Reserve Authorities. Measuring Reserves. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 7 Crude Oil Markets and Production. The Crude Oil Markets. Benchmark Crudes. Inventory Levels. Crude Oil Quality. Crude Oil Markets. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 8 Natural Gas Markets and Production. De-Coupling of Natural Gas from Crude Oil. Conventional Natural Gas Production. North American Unconventional Natural Gas Shale Plays. Canadian Natural Gas Markets. Natural Gas Markets. LNG - Fuel for the Future. Natural Gas Storage. Natural Gas as a Utility. Natural Gas The Cleaner Fuel. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 9 Understanding Refining Economics. The Business Model. Challenge for Independent Refiners. Physical Crude Oil Trading. Refining Capacity, Complexity, and Utilization. Benchmark Crude Oils. Crack Spreads. The Challenge. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 10 Integrated Majors and the Evolution of the Competitive Landscape. Role of National Oil Companies. The Road Ahead For Integrated Majors.U.S. Safety and Regulation. U.K. Environmental Programme. Technological Challenges Abound. Reserve Changes. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 11 The Oilfield Service Sector and Oil Juniors. The World is Their Platform.Oil Juniors: Is Smaller Better?Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 12 OPEC.OPEC Organization. OPEC Crude Basket. OPEC Crude Production. OPEC's Role during the Financial Crisis 2008-2009. Saudi Arabia's Role in OPEC. OPEC versus Non-OPEC Reserves. Geopolitics of Crude. Nationalism of Assets. Concluding Thoughts .Chapter 13 Bidding and Production Rights. Brazil.Mexico.Norway. The United Kingdom. Venezuela. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 14 Analyzing State-Owned Oil Companies. Hydrocarbons, a Source of Revenue. Regulatory Frameworks. Concessions and Bid Rounds. Taxes and Royalties. Pensions and Legacy Support. Transparency. Social Programs. Capital Markets. Mexico's PEMEX. Ownership Structure. Hybrid-Capital Companies. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 15 Crude Oil Pricing and Industry Investment. Higher Crude Prices Impact Demand. Global Oil Imbalance. Unprecedented Financial Crises. Great Commodity Collapse of 2009. Leverage Creep. Improved Market Fundamentals. Investment Outlook. Concluding Thoughts. Part III The Power Sector. Chapter 16 Hydroelectric Power. Advantages. Disadvantages. China. Brazil and Paraguay. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 17 Nuclear Quagmire. The Issue: Nuclear Waste. The Benefits. Nuclear Power in the United States. The Future of Nuclear Energy. Nuclear Energy in France. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 18 Geothermal and Wind Energy. United States. Philippines. Wind Generation Energy. Demark. United Kingdom. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 19 Solar Energy. Types of Solar Energy. Spain.Germany. Concluding Thoughts. Part IV Green Energy. Chapter 20 Biofuels and Ethanol. Biofuels Development. Ethanol Development. Concluding Thoughts. Chapter 21 Cleaner Coal. Coal as a Fuel Source. Cleaner Coal. Concluding Thoughts. Part V Summary and Conclusion. Chapter 22 Opportunities and Challenges in Green and Traditional Energies. Renewable Energy. Cap and Trade. Natural Gas Opportunities. Offshore Drilling Challenges. Concluding Thoughts: Energy Independence - A Strategic Imperative. Appendix: Energy Equivalent Conversions. Glossary. About the Author .Index.