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Hidden, huge oil fields, Isa ideas, the Trader and Press tips

In the never ending global search for oil and gas, no stone has, or will be, left unturned. Or lump of salt for that matter - because dotted around the world, hidden beneath thick layers of salt lie huge basins of oil. Clearly, drilling wells in these pre-salt basins provides some serious challenges but in fact the drilling itself is well within industry capabilities. What makes other challenges such as identifying the best places to drill and keeping the salt lid stable, worth the effort is the sheer quantity of oil encased under the crust of salt. Our resources specialist Martin Li reports on the companies exploiting these massive basins and the possible momentous finds that lie ahead. Elsewhere Leonora Walters has suggestions for less mainstream assets that would make ideal satellite investments to add to core Isa holdings and could boost growth and lower risk. We also have our usual press tips round-up and the Trader's latest views on the markets; check our Shares/News and Analysis page later today for reports on Kentz, Bowleven and AG Barr.
March 26, 2012

In the never ending global search for oil and gas, no stone has, or will be, left unturned. Or lump of salt for that matter - because dotted around the world, hidden beneath thick layers of salt lie huge basins of oil. Clearly, drilling wells in these pre-salt basins provides some serious challenges but in fact the drilling itself is well within industry capabilities. What makes other challenges such as identifying the best places to drill and keeping the salt lid stable, worth the effort is the sheer quantity of oil encased under the crust of salt. Our resources specialist Martin Li reports on the companies exploiting these massive basins and the possible momentous finds that lie ahead. Elsewhere Leonora Walters has suggestions for less mainstream assets that would make ideal satellite investments to add to core Isa holdings and could boost growth and lower risk. We also have our usual press tips round-up and the Trader's latest views on the markets; check our Shares/News and Analysis page later today for reports on Kentz, Bowleven and AG Barr.