1 Key Driver for ConocoPhillips' Future

By Tyler Crowe – Sep 28, 2013 at 1:00PM

NYSE: COP

ConocoPhillips

Market Cap

$152B

Today's Change

(0.02%) $0.03

Current Price

$130.14

Price as of April 26, 2024, 1:23 p.m. ET

ConocoPhillips may be carving a new path with its focus on shale drilling in the U.S., but it needs to do one thing to maintain momentum.

ConocoPhillips (COP 0.02%) is one of the better turnaround stories in the oil and gas industry today. Its new focus as a North American-centric exploration and production company is looking more and more to be a great move by management. So far, much of the company's success in this venture has been from shale drilling in places like the Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford. Looking beyond the gains from the lower 48, though, the company will need to make one region its new frontier again: Alaska.

With underdeveloped natural gas assets, and a more favorable tax structure, Alaska is poised to be one of the biggest indicators of ConocoPhillips' success. Tune into the video below where Fool.com contributor Tyler Crowe looks at why this region is so important and what investors should look for.

Fool contributor Aimee Duffy has no position in any stocks mentioned. Fool contributor Tyler Crowe has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow them both on Twitter @TMFDuffy and @TylerCroweFool, respectively.

The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.