Why These 2 Natural Gas Names Could Have Over 30% Upside

Oil may be dominating the headlines so far in 2016, but few are paying attention to natural gas, which has posted a rally that rivals oil so far. More upside is to be expected, and investors can play it with Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (TSX:BIR) and Tourmaline Oil Corp. (TSX:TOU).

| More on:

When asked about the top-performing commodity stocks of 2016, many would likely mention oil stocks, which have been supported by a 20% rally year-to-date. These individuals, however, would be wrong. Year-to-date, natural gas–weighted names have actually outperformed oil names by a fairly large margin.

The average Canadian oil producer is up 13% year-to-date (excluding dividends), whereas the average gas producer is up over twice that at 35%. This rally is due largely to the strength of Henry Hub natural gas prices this year (up only 8.8% year-to-date, but close to 60% from early March lows). While Canadian natural gas producers received AECO prices (which trade at a discount to Henry Hub), AECO prices would rise as Henry Hub prices rise, and the difference between them would likely narrow.

This leads to the question, Will natural gas prices rise? The answer is, very likely (and potentially by lots), and when they do, they’ll take shares of Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (TSX:BIR) and Tourmaline Oil Corp. (TSX:TOU)—both top-tier names—significantly higher.

Why natural gas prices should rise

Natural gas prices are currently US$2.59/MMBtu, and an increase to US$3/MMBtu (at the very least) is likely in the near future. Natural gas prices have suffered over the past several years due to oil-related activity (gas is a by-product of oil production) and, as a result, a huge surplus of natural gas developed. This surplus was only worsened by an abnormally warm winter last year (caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon), which reduced demand for heating and natural gas.

There is currently 3.317 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas in storage (the five-year average is 2.877 tcf), and three tcf is normal for the fall. Fortunately, very low natural gas prices have resulted in natural gas production coming down significantly. There are currently only 81 natural gas rigs in operation (last year at this time it was around 400 with the high in 2008 being 1,606).

With these rig-count reductions have come reductions in production, and U.S. dry gas production has fallen from 75.42 tcf in September 2015 to 73.5 currently. This reduction is occurring because drillers simply can’t afford to drill at current prices. According to oil and gas analyst Art Berman, even US$3/MMbtu is below the breakeven price for most U.S. shale gas plays.

He puts the average breakeven price at US$3.58, and this means prices would have to rise significantly before wells are economic. U.S. shale production declines quickly (about 70% in the first year), and this means higher prices will be needed to allow companies to replace declining production.

With a much colder winter expected this year than last year (thanks to the La Nina weather phenomenon), natural gas prices could spike.

Play it with these two names

Starting with Birchcliff Energy, oil fund manager Eric Nuttall (manager of the top-performing Canadian energy fund) sees this stock with a price target of $14 per share, which would be 57% above the current price level.

Birchcliff offers leverage to both rising gas prices as well as oil prices (with gas expected to be about 76% of total production in 2017). Birchcliff just purchased a natural gas–producing property from Encana for $625 million (a huge deal for a billion-dollar company at the time). This deal will allow Birchcliff to ramp up its production significantly, while reducing its leverage (from debt that is 3.6 times cash flow to 1.3).

For more natural gas exposure, investors should consider Tourmaline, which has 85% gas exposure. Tourmaline is known for being one of the lowest-cost operators in the Canadian energy space, and assuming US$3.30 natural gas prices in 2017, analysts at Bank of Nova Scotia see Tourmaline having 10% upside.

These two names would offer an average return of 33% should these price targets be accurate. This is very possible since they are dependent on rising natural gas prices, which is the most likely option considering the natural gas market will be balanced in 2017 according to the IEA.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Adam Mancini owns Birchcliff Energy Ltd. shares.

More on Energy Stocks

Arrowings ascending on a chalkboard
Energy Stocks

Beat the TSX With This Cash-Gushing Dividend Stock

Canadian Natural Resources stock is well set up to beat the TSX as it continues to generate strong cash flows…

Read more »

energy industry
Energy Stocks

2 TSX Energy Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist Now

These two rallying TSX energy stocks can continue delivering robust returns to investors in the long term.

Read more »

green energy
Energy Stocks

1 Magnificent TSX Dividend Stock Down 37% to Buy and Hold Forever

This dividend stock has fallen significantly from poor results, but zoom in and there are some major improvements happening.

Read more »

oil tank at night
Energy Stocks

3 Energy Stocks Already Worth Your While

Here's why blue-chip TSX energy stocks such as Enbridge should be part of your equity portfolio in 2024.

Read more »

Solar panels and windmills
Energy Stocks

1 Beaten-Down Stock That Could Be the Best Bet in the TSX

This renewable energy stock could be one of the best buys you make this year, as the company starts to…

Read more »

Dice engraved with the words buy and sell
Energy Stocks

Is Enbridge Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Here's why Enbridge (TSX:ENB) remains a top dividend stock long-term investors may want to consider, despite current risks.

Read more »

Gas pipelines
Energy Stocks

If You Had Invested $5,000 in Enbridge Stock in 2018, This Is How Much You Would Have Today

Enbridge's high dividend yield hasn't made up for its dismal total returns.

Read more »

Bad apple with good apples
Energy Stocks

Avoid at All Costs: This Stock Is Portfolio Poison

A mid-cap stock commits to return more to shareholders, but some investors remember the suspension of dividends a few years…

Read more »