This Is Real "Sweat Equity"
08/04/2006 12:00 am EST
Elliott Gue
combines the expertise of a trader with a broader focus on long-term fundamentals. While experienced in all areas of investing, he has developed expertise in energy. Here he makes a case for profiting from the long, hot summer–domestically, as well as internationally…"BG Group (BRG NYSE)—formerly
known as British Gas—is
a leading exploration and production (E&P), power producer, and gas utility
based in the United Kingdom.
"With some of the world's most attractive E&P assets, production is about 70% weighted in favor of natural gas. The gas market in Europe is far tighter than in the US because the US enjoyed a record mild winter, while Europe was bitterly cold; and inventories of gas in storage are much higher in the US than in Europe
"Moreover, Europe—like
the US—has
experienced some very hot weather this summer, resulting in political
representatives in many countries forgoing their usual August holidays. They’re
keen to avoid a repeat of the disastrous heat wave in 2003, when power failures
and hot weather resulted in heat-related deaths in Germany and France, just as
many politicians were on holiday. With excessive heat once again pulling record
power demand, there's a chance of another shortage this summer.
"BG gets a little less than half its production from the
UK's North Sea gas fields. UK gas prices are attractive because demand is high,
but supplies are diminishing, as domestic gas fields are no longer sufficient to
meet Britain's growing needs—a
highly profitable market for BG.
"Outside Europe, BG is one of the most
interesting plays on liquefied natural gas (LNG), with gas fields in Egypt,
Kazakhstan, Bolivia, and Brazil. These assets are highly attractive due to their
low production costs, large projected growth in production, and ability to ramp
up quickly due to being fairly immature fields. BG Group has some of the fastest
gas-production growth of any major global E&P company.
"Many of the
company's fields are so-called stranded gas fields, miles away from existing
pipeline infrastructure. But by liquefying the gas, BG can produce them, then
ship the gas in the form of LNG to distant markets at current sky-high prices.
BG is a key player in US LNG, a market that's set to grow rapidly in coming
years.
"The stock got hit earlier this year, due to general
weakness in energy and also its exposure to Bolivian and Nigerian fields. But BG
is well diversified internationally, so I don't see that exposure as
particularly troubling. And, with such attractive production growth, I see BG
Group as a potential takeover target. Any number of big, integrated producers
would love to own BG's asset base. Buy BG and set a stop loss order at 57.50 for
now."