Out Fox The $treet

Last week, Basic Energy Services ( NYSE: BAS     ) announced a $50 million increase in capital spending for 2014 that shot the company's stock up 4% on the day. The news didn't have much of a ripple effect on other smaller oilfield services firms, probably due to the lack of appreciation for the scope of the increase. Most investors probably missed the company's run from only $12 back in October to the current level of $27. The quickly-changing dynamics in the domestic land-drilling sector have analysts forecasting the company earning $1.14 in 2015 after producing a large loss last year. At the same time, other oilfield services firms aren't seeing the same gains. Superior Energy Services ( NYSE: SPN     ) is up solidly from February levels, but its stock has gained nowhere near the increases of Basic Energy. Key Energy Services  ( NYSE: KEG     ) has seen its stock price pull back to levels last seen in Octob...

While some continue to fret over debt issues at Nuverra Environmental ( NES ) , the company recently announced an update to an important credit facility to provide it more time to turn around operations before encountering liquidity issues. The move shouldn't be a huge surprise to investors, as creditors normally want to work with companies to provide ample time to improve numbers to acceptable levels. Not to mention, our previous article highlighted how positive operating cash flows would make it a slam-dunk for the modified covenants, if needed. The company is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of environmental solutions for the removal and disposal of restricted fluids primarily from shale drilling. It has scattered operations in most of the shale areas with a focus on the Bakken shale from the Power Fuels merger last year. Several catalysts for improving operations include the shift away from contract workers in the Marcellus shale and new management t...

The recent article against Nuverra Environmental ( NES ) used personal attacks to distract from the real results of the company. Claims that the well-respected former CEO made an acquisition to escape or that the company creates a "distorted reality" by making adjustments to financials is absurd. The company is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of environmental solutions for the removal and disposal of restricted fluids primarily from shale drilling. As environmentalists fret over the safety of the fluids used in fracking, Nuverra was suppose to benefit from the need to safely dispose of the "dangerous" fluids. Read the full article at Seeking Alpha. Disclosure: Long NES and CJES. Please review the disclaimer page for more details 

After watching a Mad Money feature on little known Key Energy Services (KEG), it got me to wondering what other oil service plays I didn't really know. Everybody has heard of the big players in the sector such as Haliburton (HAL), Schlumberger (SLB), and Baker Hughes (BHI). What about the second tier companies? Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling remain all the rage, even with natural gas prices plunging to 10 year lows this year. Even with expected rigs drilling for natural gas declining, it wouldn't be surprising to see them move directly into oil shale plays as oil remains around $100. Not to mention one needs to be careful when focusing on the current price of natural gas as future prices on the NYMEX remain in the $4-5 range. Read full story on Seeking Alpha. Disclosure: Long CJES. Please review the disclaimer page for more details

Early Monday morning, Superior Energy Services ( SPN )  agreed to merge with Complete Production Services ( CPX ) by paying a 61% premium over Friday's selling price. According to the press release, the combination creates a premier diversified mid-cap oilfield services company. In essence, SPN wanted scale in order to compete successfully with the likes of Haliburton ( HAL ) and Schlumberger ( SLB ) in the fast growing hydraulic fracturing market in the US and enhanced size to grow internationally. Not to mention that the huge sell-off in CPX stock over the last few months provided an attractive entry point. CPX peaked over $42 in July and hasn't even cracked above $30 with this huge premium offered. Read the full article at Seeking Alpha. Disclosure: Long CJES. Please review the disclaimer page for more details.