Rhonda Duey, Senior Editor, Exploration, reports from Rally for Jobs. In gatherings held along the Gulf Coast of Texas, thousands gathered to emphasize the importance of the oil and gas industry.

Analyst John Freeman sees the domestic E&P's strategy coincides with Raymond James' bullish long-term outlook toward the oil commodity.

If the Winter NAPE Expo is a frenzy of folks on a determined hunt for the next new play, Summer NAPE is a relationship-building, convivial jaunt through the industry's neighborhoods.

Michael Bodino: "For obvious reasons, gas plays such as the Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Woodford and even the Marcellus seem like yesterday's news."

Previously, Barclays pitched a bullish forecast for $92 oil in 2011.

Neal Dingmann: "It appears the Niobrara could be 'the next big play'."

Susan Klann, managing editor of Oil and Gas Investor, reports from EnerCom's The Oil and Gas Conference in Denver. The company’s chairman, Floyd Wilson, says, "Business 101 says it's time to reel it in."