The multi-billion dollar water services industry

Emerging sector could be choppy waters for investors as the amount of H20 handled by the U.S. oil and gas industry continues to rise above 30 billion barrels annually There is a multi-billion dollar water industry forming before investors' eyes in the oil patch. It's a huge opportunity for some great capital gains — but changing regulations, and a very attentive mainstream audience questioning business practises which have been in effect for decades, will make it choppy water for investors. “In 2008 there were 25 billion barrels of water handled (by the oil and gas industry) in the US—even at 60 cents a barrel it's a multibillion dollar business,” says Jonathan Hoopes, President of GreenHunter Energy Inc.

Stock Forum). “With the big growth in unconventional since then, it's likely another 5-6 billion barrels.” GreenHunter is a pure play on the fast growing water market in the oil patch, along with companies like Heckmann Corp.

Stock Forum), and Ridgeline Energy Services (TSX: V.RLE, Stock Forum). There are also many private technology companies with new water treatment processes.