investing in oil stocks – The Investment Journal

It’s time to drill for peace.

Let’s call it what it is: all wars are energy wars…

From the invasion of Iraq to the scramble over South China Sea shipping lanes, to today’s brutal war in Ukraine—who controls the energy, controls the power.

And when it comes to energy, oil is still king. Despite all the talk of renewables and decarbonization, the world still runs on hydrocarbons.

Planes, tanks, ships, trucks, and industrial supply chains don’t run on good vibes and solar panels—they run on oil.

That’s why, if the West wants to stand up to old-world dictators like Vladimir Putin, it needs to do more than send aid or freeze assets….

It needs to hit where it hurts. Not with bullets or bombs, but with barrels—barrels of cheap, reliable oil.

And the only nation in the world that can supply those barrels in meaningful volume and speed? The United States of America.

The Real Power Behind the Kremlin

Last week, Russia shocked the world when it released footage from a new drone factory that’s pumping out weapons of war at an incredible pace…

Last year, Russia could barely get 2,000 drones to the battlefield in an entire month. With this factory, it could potentially get 2,000 drones attacking Ukrainian citizens in a single night…

That’s a powerful statistic that sends a clear message:

We need to stop pretending Putin’s power comes from his army or his propaganda machine. Because his true strength comes from a steady stream of oil and gas revenues…

Hydrocarbons account for around half of Russia’s federal budget. They’re what funded the construction and operation of that new drone factory. But that’s not all they’ve paid for…

Literally every bomb dropped in Ukraine, every tank rolling through Donbas, every mercenary funded by the Kremlin—that’s all paid for in petrodollars.

Even with Western sanctions in place, Russia has managed to redirect its energy exports to willing buyers like China and India.

And with global energy markets tight, those barrels are still fetching a solid price.

The West may be cutting ties, but Russia’s still cashing checks. That’s the problem.

Energy is the lifeblood of Russia’s war machine. And you don’t stop that machine by just choking off supply.

You have to flood the market with a cheaper, better alternative.

That’s where American oil comes in…

Sanctions Alone Won’t Win This War

Don’t get me wrong—sanctions matter. But they’re only part of the puzzle.

If you slap tariffs on Russian energy while offering no viable replacement, all you’ve done is shift the supply gap elsewhere…

Energy prices rise. Europe panics. Putin profits.

We’ve seen it play out before…

After the initial invasion of Ukraine, global oil prices spiked. Natural gas prices in Europe went parabolic.

Households struggled, businesses closed, and governments were forced to backtrack on green energy goals just to keep the lights on.

The lesson is crystal clear: When energy is expensive and scarce, dictators thrive. When energy is cheap and abundant, democracies get stronger.

So, if the goal is to undercut Putin, prop up Ukraine, and help our allies stand tall—we need to start pumping.

America’s Ace: Oil in the Ground and Know-How to Extract It

Here’s the good news: the U.S. has the energy muscle to do this. We’re not in the 1970s anymore…

America is now one of the top oil producers on the planet, thanks to the shale revolution.

Our basins in Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Colorado are packed with oil. And thanks to innovation, we can extract it cleaner, quicker, and cheaper than just about anyone else.

While Russia relies on aging infrastructure and state-run inefficiencies, American producers operate in a hyper-competitive market where the best tech wins.

That means horizontal drilling, advanced fracking, carbon capture, real-time data analytics—you name it. The U.S. isn’t just producing oil, we’re redefining how it’s done.

What’s holding us back isn’t capability—it’s will…

We’ve got the barrels. We’ve got the rigs.

What we need now is the political and market support to let our producers off the leash.

Turning Oil into a Strategic Weapon

Let’s think bigger…

Oil isn’t just a commodity—it’s a geopolitical tool.

Just like we send tanks and missiles to Ukraine, we should be exporting oil with purpose.

Every barrel of U.S. crude that makes it to Europe is one less barrel Europe needs from Russia.

Every LNG tanker that lands in Poland or Germany helps break the Kremlin’s stranglehold on European energy.

And the beauty of American oil is that it’s not just abundant—it’s flexible…

U.S. shale producers can ramp production up or down faster than their international counterparts. That gives us a unique advantage in an increasingly volatile world.

By strategically expanding production and exports, the U.S. can support allies, stabilize global markets, and defund dictators—all without firing a shot.

Reclaiming Leadership in the Global Energy Game

For too long, we’ve let others call the shots in the energy world…

OPEC manipulates supply. Russia weaponizes it. China hoards critical minerals.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has sat on its hands, distracted by partisan politics and regulatory gridlock.

But times have changed. Energy security is now national security…

Europe knows it. Asia knows it. And increasingly, Americans are waking up to it too.

The question isn’t whether we should produce more energy. The question is: do we want the free world to be powered by democratic oil or dictated by autocratic oil?

Because like it or not, someone’s going to meet that demand. It might as well be us.

And that means investing not only in production, but in pipelines, export terminals, refining capacity, and long-term energy infrastructure that positions the U.S. as the go-to supplier for the free world.

A Wake-Up Call for Investors

Here’s where things get really interesting. This isn’t just good for global stability—it’s a money-making opportunity hiding in plain sight…

While Wall Street chases AI hype and EV headlines, some of the best-performing assets of the next decade could be old-fashioned oil and gas stocks. But not just the majors.

The biggest leverage is found in the independents—the companies operating on lean budgets, cutting-edge tech, and some of the lowest breakeven costs in the world.

Think Diamondback Energy in the Permian…

Devon Energy in Oklahoma…

Prairie Operating Company in the DJ Basin…

These are the firms sitting on world-class resources and ready to unleash them when the market—and the mission—demand it.

If investors are looking for a place to align profits with purpose, U.S. oil might just be it.

Pump More. Fight Less.

No one wants war. But wars don’t end just because we wish them away.

They end when power shifts. And in today’s world, power flows through pipelines.

The war in Ukraine is far from over. But the tools to turn the tide are already in our hands.

With smart policy, strong investment, and a renewed sense of mission, the U.S. can use its energy advantage to drive peace, stability, and freedom.

It won’t happen overnight. But history shows that when America puts its mind to something—and its oil rigs behind it—it can change the world.

Let’s do it again.

The Bottom Line

If you believe in peace through strength, then it’s time to support the companies that are helping power that strength.

Learn more about the U.S. oil producers that are ready to outproduce Russia, defend democracy, and deliver serious upside to investors along the way.

Because the war won’t wait. And neither should we.

Disclosure: Neither The Investment Journal nor the author have a financial position in any of the companies mentioned in this article. An affiliate of The Investment Journal has been retained for marketing services by Prairie Operating Co. ( NASDAQ: PROP ) between July 2025 and September 2025; however, this is not a sponsored post. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities.

A few months back, West Texas Intermediate flirted with the high-$50s, and the commentariat exhaled a collective sigh of relief…

“See?” they said. “The oil market is flush, tariffs or no tariffs.” It felt reassuring, like sticking a piece of tape over a flashing check-engine light.

Yet that sense of comfort comes from a fantasy: whispers about OPEC “just about” to flood the market and presidential proclamations about everlasting U-S-of-A energy dominance.

Strip away the talking points and the fundamentals are already tightening…

Shrinking Rigs, Shrinking Reserves

Efficiency gains let shale drillers do more with fewer rigs—until they can’t…

*An image of a chart of the Baker Hughes rig count falling year over year as of July 11, 2025. Source: Baker Hughes*

The Baker Hughes rig count has been sliding for years, and July is expected to bring another leg down. You don’t park iron unless the best rock no longer works at today’s prices.

*An image of a chart showing various breakeven prices across several U.S. oil basins. Source: East Daley Analytics*

Right now the only acreage still making money under $60 is the absolute cream of the crop. And drillers are fast chewing through those sweet spots, too.

That reality is showing up in the books…

After a decade of bragging about ever-growing reserves, the United States posted a 3.9% year-over-year drop in proved oil and condensate for 2023, even as output rose nearly 8%.

North Dakota alone lost 12.3% of its proved barrels thanks to fewer rigs turning to the right.

And, just in case you were confused, flat-lining production and shrinking reserves are nobody’s definition of an oversupplied market.

The Strategic Petroleum Pickle

Remember the 180 million barrels President Biden dumped from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to calm prices and win votes after Russia invaded Ukraine?…

*An image of a chart showing the U.S. SPR levels since 1980. Source: Reuters*

The SPR still hasn’t been refilled. That leaves the White House—any White House—with the thinnest emergency cushion in modern memory.

When the next supply shock hits, there’s no government lifeline to keep gas stations calm…

OPEC Smoke-Signals and Shale Mythology

Analysts keep parroting anonymous “OPEC sources” who swear July’s ministerial meeting will green-light a production hike. Maybe…

More likely those leaks are leverage plays—talk the price down without adding a single extra barrel. And even if the cartel does open the taps, history says it’s because demand is roaring back, not because spare capacity is brimming over.

Meanwhile Wall Street still believes U.S. shale can crank forever…

The truth: drillers are marching from tier-one rock to tier two and three, where costs rise and flow rates fall.

That’s why even with record-high lateral lengths and digital-twin well planning, total Lower 48 production slipped in April versus March.

The shale miracle isn’t dead—but it’s a lot older, slower, and more expensive than the spreadsheets suggest.

When the Dam Breaks

Today’s oil strip looks like musical chairs…

As long as the music plays—cheap crude, easy narratives—money managers stay parked in AI and green-energy darlings.

But fundamentals always crash the party.

And the second headline sentiment flips from “glut” to “tight”—maybe a refinery fire, maybe the first Gulf storm of the year—the herd will sprint back into barrels and the $70 ceiling will disappear.

History punishes those who wait for CNBC to bless the trade…

Think 2007, when oil vaulted from $50 to $147 in under two years. Or 2022, when WTI leapt 60% in six months while analysts were still predicting $40.

Cheap crude is a mirage, not a new normal. And mirages vanish fast.

Your Next Move

Smart investors aren’t staring at line charts hoping for $45. They’re hunting for operators that can stay profitable in the $60s yet gush cash when crude rips through $90.

That field narrows every year as legacy shale sweet spots deplete and mega-caps chase global LNG…

The true growth stories live in the smaller, scrappier corners of the patch—names drilling second-generation horizontals in under-appreciated basins at half the cost of the majors.

No Time Like the Present

If you want to learn where the real upside hides, start with the only growth names left in the oil patch—companies like Prairie Operating Company…

*An image of Prairie Operating Company (NASDAQ: PROP) logo and well-site. Source: Prairie Operating Company*

This Denver-Julesburg Basin up-and-comer boasts some of the lowest breakeven prices in the industry, setting it up to explode with profit as the era of bargain-basement oil draws to a close.

Discover why outfits like Prairie Operating Company (NASDAQ: PROP) could become tomorrow’s legends—before the crowd finally wakes up and the easy money is gone.

Disclosure: Neither The Investment Journal nor the author have a financial position in any of the companies mentioned in this article. An affiliate of The Investment Journal has been retained for marketing services by Prairie Operating Company (NASDAQ: PROP) between July and August; however, this is not a sponsored post. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities.

There’s a seismic shift underway in the oil and gas industry—one that’s quietly changing the rules for investors. And if you know where to look, it could lead to some serious profits.

Here’s the deal: most major oil companies have stopped rewarding growth. That means executives are no longer being incentivized to find new resources or ramp up production.

Instead, they’re being paid to cut costs, buy back shares, and maximize short-term returns.

That’s all well and great for Wall Street in the moment. But its bad news for long-term energy security—and a massive opportunity for investors who know better.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening—and why a small, fast-growing player like Prairie Operating Company (PROP) could end up being one of the biggest winners.

The End of the Growth Era

If there’s one company that still wore the “grow or die” badge with pride, it was Hess Corporation. Hess was the last of the major oil producers that actively rewarded its executives for expanding reserves and boosting production.

In fact, that aggressive growth strategy is part of what made it such an attractive acquisition target for Chevron.

Now that Chevron is buying Hess, it marks the end of an era. Once the deal closes, there will be no major U.S. oil producer left that explicitly incentivizes management to grow resource reserves.

That’s a problem. And here’s why…

Demand Is Growing. Supply? Not So Much.

We’ve got rising global energy demand—from expanding AI data centers to EV charging infrastructure to growing economies in Asia and Africa. The world isn’t moving away from oil and gas nearly as fast as some think.

But while demand keeps ticking up, the supply side is stuck in neutral.

When oil companies stop focusing on exploration and production growth, guess what happens? We end up with fewer new wells. Fewer barrels. Less gas. Less cushion…

And when demand finally outruns supply in a serious way, prices explode.

We’ve seen it before. And with underinvestment in upstream development now becoming the norm across the industry, we’re setting the stage for a serious imbalance.

That means higher prices at the pump, higher heating bills—and for investors in the right stocks, higher profits.

Enter Prairie Operating Company: A Rare Breed in a Shrinking Club

Prairie Operating Company (PROP) isn’t a household name—yet. But it’s quietly becoming one of the most exciting stories in American energy.

This is a company that is focused on growth. Prairie is operating in the DJ Basin, a prolific oil and gas region spanning parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

Unlike the giants that are slowing down, Prairie is doing the opposite—it’s ramping up.

They’re drilling more wells. They’re bringing on new production. And they’re doing it with one of the leanest, most efficient cost structures in the industry.

Low Costs, High Margins, Smart Strategy

Prairie has several key things going for it:

Low-cost operations – Their break-even prices are among the lowest in the sector, meaning they can stay profitable even when oil prices dip.
In-the-money hedging program – Prairie’s management has locked in prices well above their production costs. That means stable cash flow and protection against market volatility.
Rock-solid balance sheet – This isn’t some over-leveraged wildcatter. Prairie’s financials are in great shape, giving them flexibility to expand without taking on risky debt.
DJ Basin potential – Prairie holds promising acreage in one of the best oil regions in the country. There’s a lot of upside still to be unlocked.

And perhaps most importantly, Prairie isn’t trying to just survive the current energy cycle—they’re aiming to grow right through it.

Growth Is the Future… and the Opportunity

Now here’s the big takeaway for investors: As the rest of the oil industry shifts away from growth and toward financial engineering, companies like Prairie are becoming rare.

And rare can mean valuable.

If Prairie keeps expanding production while others stand still, it stands to benefit not just from strong margins—but from scarcity…

As fewer new resources come online, Prairie’s oil becomes more important. Its revenue becomes more predictable. Its valuation gets harder to ignore.

Think of it this way: When everyone’s racing to shrink, the one company racing to grow can end up controlling a much bigger piece of the pie.

Don’t Miss This Oil Boom in the Making

Hess is nearly gone. The majors are done with growth. The supply/demand gap is real and growing. But there’s still time to position yourself for what’s coming next.

Prairie Operating Company isn’t a household name yet—but it checks every box for forward-thinking investors…

They’ve got the reserves. They’ve got the production growth. They’ve got the financial strength. And they’re building now to meet the energy needs of tomorrow.

If you’re looking for exposure to the next phase of the American energy story—one where supply crunches could send oil and gas prices soaring—then Prairie might be one of the smartest bets on the board.

Get in before the herd figures it out. Get invested in growth. Get invested in Prairie.

Disclosure: Neither The Investment Journal nor the author have a financial position in any of the companies mentioned in this article. An affiliate of The Investment Journal has been retained for marketing services by Prairie Operating Co. between June and August, 2025; however, this is not a sponsored post. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities.