Buckling Up to Ride the Oil Roller Coaster

Investors are mining the energy sector like old-fashioned wildcatters.

They know there's money to be made, what with the war looming in Iraq and potential production shortages driving prices skyward. Still, most people have been stymied trying to figure out where the next big gusher will be.

Indeed, they've hit some big dry holes. Stock prices for the three oil majors have languished this year, despite soaring energy prices and rising company profits. And while most analysts continue to view these companies as great long-term prospects, hungry investors are looking for ways to hit pay dirt now. ...