Investopedia: Industry At A Glance - Large Oil and Gas Producers

Anyone who drives is well aware of the general trajectory of oil prices over the past decade; and likewise, anyone who uses natural gas to heat their home has some sense of the volatility in that market. Oil and natural gas are vital to the global economy. Simply put, without energy there is much less commerce, and oil and natural gas represent some of the most portable energy-dense options available today.

When it comes to big-time oil and gas, investors must consider a lot of trade-offs. Some companies see themselves almost as trusts - focusing on paying out large dividends and keeping risky development investment to a minimum. Others try to find more balance in the growth/income equation. At the bottom line, though, major oil and gas companies offer investors an opportunity to ride along for further gains in energy prices, without some of the risk of smaller names.

To read more, follow the link below:
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Industry-At-A-Glance---Large-Oil-And-Gas-Producers-BP-CVX-COP-XOM-TOT-HES-RDS-PBR0829.aspx