David Takes On Goliath in This Week's Energy Earnings

It has become surprisingly tough for Big Oil companies such as ExxonMobil and BP to grow the way they once did. This past quarter's earnings report offered an example, with both companies underwhelming the market. Because each company's base is so large, it takes tremendous production levels just to replace reserves at the rate in which they're pumped out of the ground. Many will argue that these are long-term investments, but it's been tough to see the light recently.

Meanwhile, smaller peers have shown tremendous growth potential to investors. This week should provide another glimpse, with three domestic producers reporting quarterly results. As they're all building solid asset bases in the Bakken region, the three companies we touch on in the following video should fare better than their larger, less centrally focused counterparts.

One factor is sure to help them both, though. And that's oil maintaining a price above $100 per barrel. With the possibility that this price level will be sustained, we invite you to check out some currently intriguing energy plays in The Motley Fool's "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." For free access to this special report, simply click here now.

The article David Takes On Goliath in This Week's Energy Earnings originally appeared on Fool.com.

Joel South, Taylor Muckerman, and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't 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.

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