Natural gas is an abundant resource, but natural gas fueling stations are surprisingly scarce. Currently, regular gas stations outnumber compressed natural gas stations approximately 100-to-1. And the shame of it is CNG sells at a fraction of the cost of regular gasoline.

For natural gas to become the energy "game changer" that many proclaim, the infrastructure problem must be addressed. And it appears many companies are prepared to answer the call.

The station builders
Clean Energy Fuels (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the largest provider of natural gas fueling infrastructure in North America. The company operates 224 CNG stations across the United States and Canada. To this point, Clean Energy Fuels has faced little competition. However, it appears the natural gas producers are preparing to enter the CNG infrastructure market.

Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO) recently announced plans to offer CNG at newly built fuel station locations. The first CNG station will be built near company headquarters in Texas, and others will be added based on market demand.   

Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) is partnering with OnCue Express in building a natural gas fueling station network across Oklahoma. Initial plans call for CNG fueling stations in six locations across the state. 

The state of Pennsylvania could be next. Chesapeake is currently searching for a partner in building its first CNG station in the Keystone State.  

Questar (NYSE: STR) is firmly committed to CNG as a transportation fuel. The company currently operates 23 natural gas stations spanning the state of Utah and two stations in Wyoming. Over the last 18 months, Questar has substantially increased natural gas refueling capacity, and the company plans to remain committed to natural gas as a transportation fuel.

Investment opportunities
The big winners of this trend will be the natural gas explorers and natural gas transportation companies. Natural gas explorers such as Chesapeake, Southwestern Energy (NYSE: SWN), and Newfield Exploration should see a spike in demand as natural gas competes with oil for a place in your tank.

Companies that convert vehicles to run on natural gas will benefit as well. Fuel Systems Solutions (Nasdaq: FSYS) and Westport Innovations (Nasdaq: WPRT) are the dominant companies in this industry. The two face limited competition, putting the companies in prime position to take advantage of the shift to natural gas.   

The bottom line
Natural gas appears to be ready for prime time as the lack of a fueling network is being addressed. Now could be the time, as one congressman put it, "to prepare for the upcoming revolution."

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