Energy stocks Featured  7:00pm EDT December 31, 2006  By 2030,
worldwide energy sectors will require $16 trillion to maintain
the current trend of energy usage, according to a recent World
Energy Outlook report. The oil and gas industry will make up
about 20 percent of that total, creating huge investment
opportunities. The oil and gas sector relies heavily on emerging
technology. This technology has improved the prospects on wells
drilled, helping to reduce costs and maximize production. When
you add into the mix the available federal tax incentives on oil
and gas investing, savvy investors can reduce risks and find
good buying opportunities. “To maintain its growth, a nation
must constantly find new energy supplies,” says John Barnes,
chairman and CEO of B&R Energy LLC. “Energy growth is the
essential engine for economic growth.”  Smart Business spoke
with Barnes about oil and gas investing and how regional and
global events influence these markets.  What are examples of
proven energy investments?  Energy i