Even in the worst of times, some investors manage to turn a profit, and so it can be inspiring to be reminded that careful and clever management of one’s assets can yield great returns.

It is no secret that in the last year investors who have more diverse portfolios which include alternative investments have fared better than those invested solely in the stock market, but you may be surprised at just how well some investors have fared and how they did it. Janice Stoddard can give you one example. Read more »

A rock layer below the Marcellus Shale could prove to be another incredible source of natural gas.

The Marcellus Shale captured public attention when leasing and drilling activities began pumping billions of dollars into local economies and citizens began debating the environmental, social and economic impacts. All of this began suddenly in 2004 when Range Resources Corporation drilled the first Marcellus well using modern drilling technology. Read more »

Oil prices hovered below $109 a barrel Thursday April 7, 2011 in Asia amid concern rising fuel costs could undermine U.S. economic growth and demand for crude.

Benchmark crude for May delivery was down 13 cents at $108.70 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 49 cents to settle at $108.83 on Wednesday April 6, 2011.

In London, Brent crude for May delivery was down 33 cents to $121.97 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Read more »

Minerals rights in an oil and gas lease differ from surface rights. A landowner may own the surface land but not the mineral rights of that land. The owner of the land should check on whether he/she has ownership of mineral rights or title on the land.

One of the places to check on real ownership is through an independent landman or a bank. The landowner can also use an abstract company. Whoever is the one contacted to perform a mineral title is then empowered to obtain an ownership report or mineral takeoff. Read more »