An Ultra-Bad 2011 for Ultra Petroleum's Stock

As 2011 comes to a close, it's a great time to look back at what happened to the stocks that interest you. By making sure you know the important things that a company accomplished -- as well as the setbacks it experienced -- you can make a better decision about whether it's a smart investment for your portfolio.

Today, let's take a look at Ultra Petroleum (NYSE: UPL). Natural gas prices tumbled again in 2011, as big supplies from shale gas and other new energy plays overwhelmed demand. While other energy companies pushed their production toward the oil side of the market, Ultra remains the best of the lot in natural gas -- but it needs the price of natural gas to break its slump. Below, I'll take a closer look at the events that moved shares of Ultra Petroleum this year.

Stats on Ultra Petroleum

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Why did Ultra Petroleum do so badly this year?
As a major producer of natural gas, Ultra Petroleum largely relies on the gas market for its profits. In 2011, gas prices fell from already low levels, mostly trading between $3 and $5 per thousand cubic feet and ending near the lows of the year. Yet low prices haven't stopped the industry from producing more gas, with 20% growth in just the past five years.

But Ultra Petroleum has an enviable position in the natural gas industry as the low-cost provider. Companies like Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) and Range Resources (NYSE: RRC) have production costs well above the market price, and even Southwestern Energy (NYSE: SWN) starts to have trouble earning a profit when natural gas falls below $4 per mcf. But Ultra's low costs keep it in the black even through tough times -- although its profits have certainly suffered.

One good sign for Ultra is that rivals are moving away from gas production. Chesapeake and SandRidge Energy (NYSE: SD) have moved toward more lucrative oil plays. That leaves the field more open for Ultra, which is developing its Marcellus shale holdings in conjunction with EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) and EXCO Resources.

Eventually, demand from new projects like Cheniere Energy's (AMEX: LNG) Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas export facility should eventually boost natural gas prices. Until that happens, Ultra should benefit from its competitive advantage as other players slowly get pushed out of the space.

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