OPEC and its non-member partners have agreed to extend the initial rate of their historic production reduction agreement through the end of next month. The group of oil-producing nations will also make up for its shortfall in May as the non-compliant members will deliver deeper cuts over the next three months. This agreement will significantly reduce oil supplies over the near term, giving the global economy more time to burn off its excess inventory.
Despite some non-compliance issues, OPEC's initial agreement accomplished its mission as oil prices screamed higher in May. WTI, the main U.S. oil benchmark, zoomed 88% last month, with that rally continuing in June, pushing it up near $40 a barrel. WTI could keep rallying because of the extended support, which would likely fuel more gains for U.S. drillers. Here are five oil stocks that stand out as potentially big beneficiaries of OPEC's extension.
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Just what the doctor ordered
Continental Resources (CLR) had to shut-in 70% of its production in May because oil prices collapsed, and it had no hedging contracts in place for protection. However, with oil prices booming over the past month, Continental will be able to restart those pumps. That would fuel an acceleration in its cash flow, giving it the funds to repay debt and potentially repurchase its stock.
While shares have rebounded 35% over the past month, there're still down about 45% for the year, implying ample potential upside.
Restarting the engine
Parsley Energy (PE) shut down its drilling program and shut-in some of its oil pumps when crude prices crashed earlier this year. However, the company now plans to restart most of its shut-in wells this month following WTI's epic rebound in May.
Meanwhile, with WTI around $40 a barrel, it's within the level that Parsley Energy set to restart its drilling program. Because of that, it's well-positioned to capture higher oil prices during the second half of this year, which could drive more gains in its stock following its roughly 30% run over the past month.
Unleashing the gusher
Devon Energy (DVN 1.52%) built its business to survive ultra-low oil prices. Thanks to oil hedging contracts and an asset sale, Devon expected to generate $300 million in positive cash flow this year, assuming WTI averaged $20 a barrel. However, thanks to OPEC, WTI is now more than double that price point and poised to head higher. Because of that, Devon will generate even more cash.
The company already has a cash-rich balance sheet that stood at $1.7 billion at the end of the first quarter. That gives it the flexibility to accelerate its drilling program or repurchase shares.
Either option could provide more fuel for its share price, which has already rallied over 20% in the past month.
The fuel needed to restart its growth engine
Diamondback Energy (FANG 1.86%) paused its drilling program when crude prices collapsed earlier this year. It also curtailed about 15% of its output in May. However, the company said that thanks to its ultra-low operating costs, it only needed WTI to rebound into the low $30s to resume its drilling activities.
With oil now well above that level, and further upside possible thanks to OPEC, Diamondback Energy could soon restart its idled wells and drilling rigs. That would likely fuel accelerated cash flow growth, potentially driving more gains in its stock, which has already rallied about 30% over the last month.
Reversing the reductions
Marathon Oil (MRO 1.35%) cut its spending deeply when oil prices cratered this year.
The company suspended its dividend and share repurchase program and slashed its capital spending program. However, with crude prices back to around $40 a barrel, Marathon could start reversing some of those decisions, with it likely starting by resuming its capital return program. That catalyst could provide an additional boost to Marathon's stock, which has already rebounded more than 30% over the past month.
The worst seems to be over
OPEC is going out of its way to support the oil market. Not only did it extend its initial deep cut through the end of next month, but it's also forcing non-compliers to make up their shortfall. Those actions will give the economy more time to burn off the excess inventory that weighed on prices earlier this year.
Because of that, oil prices appear as if they have further to run. That's great news for U.S. oil companies since they'll benefit from the improved pricing. Higher prices, combined with catalysts like restarting idled drilling pumps and suspended capital return programs, could send shares of top producers even higher in the coming months.
