We hope the perspective that the comments below bring to these questions will stimulate your thinking about your company's future. Then 21st Century Energy Advisors can help you find complete answers that fit your company's objectives.

When will crude oil prices stabilize
so I can finally know what to expect?

Predicting crude oil prices over the short term is entertaining, but futile. Instead, focus on developing a strategy for your company that is based on what you can reasonably expect. You can expect crude to act like the commodity it is. You can expect plentiful supply and growing demand. You can expect intense competition.

But crude oil prices will never stabilize. So learn to prosper despite volatility. It can be done. How can your company do it? 21st Century Energy Advisors can help develop a strategy tailored to your company's strengths and objectives.

Should I shift my capital
to natural gas E&D? If so, where?

There is no question that demand for natural gas will be strong in the early years of this century. But whether your company should shift to natural gas depends on its special expertise, its assets, and how it deals with oil and gas markets.

If you decide to focus on developing natural gas assets in a given country, understand that country's energy strategy and objectives clearly. For example, is gas development related to energy demand, politics, or currency issues? 21st Century Energy Advisors can help you assess these potential opportunities objectively.

Where is the next big opportunity?
And what is it?

In recent years, there have been more opportunities than capital; more places to look for petroleum than people and time to do it. In choosing your next big opportunity, don't follow the herd.

Investing in areas with large oil or gas potential makes sense. But is there a market for what you find and are the risks tolerable? Whichever region you are considering, 21st Century Energy Advisors can help you objectively evaluate your company's strengths and make sure your market expectations match reality.

Should I consider investing in
non-conventional crude
or natural gas assets?

Consider all such opportunities. The hydrocarbon age is far from over because much of the enormous supply of oil and gas is "non-conventional." And technology is making these resources more competitive all the time.
 
So even if your company has plenty of conventional petroleum reserves, "non-conventional" oil and gas may offer long term opportunities. 21st Century Energy Advisors can help you decide whether those opportunities fit your company's expertise and objectives.

Can I communicate a positive recruiting message
 in the face of a widespread perception that the petroleum industry
 is a constant boom-and-bust cycle — or even worse, declining?

Yes. The petroleum story is as exciting as ever because there are more opportunities than ever in the global energy business. Energy demand will grow, not decline. Innovation and creative thinking will be richly rewarded for those who can develop and apply sophisticated technology to any segment of the world wide energy industry. Of course, the petroleum industry is volatile. That's what makes the range of opportunity so impressive.

But your message must be truthful. And your company has to live up to its message of opportunity by creating new ways to prevent short market cycles from decimating the expertise and talent you worked so hard to attract. 21st Century Energy Advisors will help you create the best recruiting message and make it part of an integrated communication plan that will find, attract, and keep the best talent.