Recently, big oil has been looking more toward natural gas. While Exxon Mobil (XOM) has been increasing its foothold in Russia, BP (BP) has been drilling for natural gas in Jordan. Meanwhile, ConocoPhillips (COP), Shell (RDS.A) and Chevron (CVX) have been increasing their LNG positions. In this article, I will explore five oil and gas stocks that are increasing their focus on natural gas, and how this could impact the stocks of these companies.

Throughout the month of May, Exxon Mobil sputtered, falling from a high of about $87 to a low of about $77. Currently, the company is stuck in the middle, with a stock price of about $84, but it appears to be regaining some of the lost ground. Unlike some others in the market, Exxon resisted much of the volatility in energy prices, growing regardless of volatility, but it is beginning to show some signs of struggle now, too. I would not be concerned as a shareholder, though. As Exxon Mobil increases its energy market share globally, it will increasingly weather these storms better.

Beginning with the negative, Exxon Mobil just announced that it will be scrapping its shale-gas project in Poland. According to the company, it was unable to produce commercial quantities of shale-gas from its test wells. This should come as no surprise to those following the company closely, as the Wall Street Journal just reported that the actual amount of shale gas in these reserves is only about 10% of the original estimates.To continue reading, click here.