Trouble For Big Oil Companies

For large integrated oil companies, 2013 looks to be an inflection point where costs continue to soar and replacing already drilled hydrocarbons start to shrink. While the companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil maintain impeccable balance sheets, record capital expenditures could stunt shareholder gains. For example, over the past year Chevron, a perennial free cash flow machine, is just covering its capital expenditure with operating cash flow. ExxonMobil is in a better position but the firm's reserve replacement ratio, the percent of oil and gas replaced, is well under the company's 10 year average.

As more oil and gas companies stretch the globe to unlock expensive resources, investors stand to lose with some big oil firms struggling to cover capital expenditures and capital return programs with cash generated from operations.

While big oil is not producing cash at record levels, one energy service company is. The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for this year. Find out which stock it is in the special free report: "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2013." Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar company.

The article Trouble For Big Oil Companies originally appeared on Fool.com.

Joel South has no position in any stocks mentioned. Taylor Muckerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. 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.

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