Fast Money is Right -- Energy Stocks Sure Bets

It almost doesn't matter which energy stocks you invest in -- though Fast Money folks love to debate conoco versus chevron. I actually prefer Exxon, but they are all doing very well and will continue to do so. The pressing need for oil is not going away -- not anytime soon, not in our lifetimes. Alternatives are needed, but oil and natural gas will be the principal source for as long as you can look out. A new, comprehensive and international study just concluded the world's growth in population and rising living standards worldwide is expected to increase energy consumption globally by 50% in the next 25 years!! Think about that.The study also rejects predictions that we will run out of reserves, concluding that they will be there and will be essential in meeting world energy needs for a very long time. They acknowledge the need for alternatives -- given the huge projected growth in need and carbon issues -- but they recognize that oil and gas will be major players in the future, just as they are today.So this is one that Fast Money people have gotten right. It makes a lot of sense to invest in these stocks both for growth and for protection in a down market -- demand for oil and gas will continue to rise.The New York Times has a good piece on this: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/business/19oil.html?_r=1&oref=slogin