Geopolitical risk around the Strait of Hormuz is back in focus, with renewed U.S. and Iran headlines, shifting expectations for global oil flows and price stability. That kind of uncertainty can quickly change how investors view large oil and gas producers with meaningful exposure to crude markets. Some stocks may benefit from stronger pricing power or robust balance sheets, while others may face higher operational and political risk. This article looks at 3 stocks from our Energy Sector, Oil & Gas Producers screener that appear more positively exposed to the latest news cycle and explains what that could mean for your portfolio decisions.

Greenfire Resources (GFR)

Overview: Greenfire Resources is a Calgary based producer focused on developing and operating oil sands assets in the Athabasca region of Alberta, centered on its Hangingstone facilities south of Fort McMurray. The company explores for and extracts bitumen that is processed into crude oil for the broader energy market.

Operations: Greenfire Resources generates essentially all of its CA$550.6 million in revenue from Oil Sands Operations in Canada.

Market Cap: CA$771.4 million

Greenfire Resources sits at the intersection of two notable dynamics at the moment. The stock is tied directly to oil sands production at a time when concerns around the Strait of Hormuz are lifting crude prices and focusing attention on secure North American supply. In addition, Greenfire has put a sizeable WTI hedging program in place at about CA$101 a barrel for 2025, which can provide some price certainty even if volatility persists. Investors need to weigh that against rising losses, reliance on external borrowing and recent shareholder dilution through a rights offering. The key consideration is whether its production base and growth potential adequately compensate for those risks as the market reassesses oil supply security.

Greenfire Resources appears to be a pure play on secure Canadian supply at a time when oil security is back in the spotlight, yet its hedges, losses and recent dilution raise sharp questions that the 2 key rewards and 1 important major warning sign might answer only partly

Strathcona Resources (TSX:SCR)

Overview: Strathcona Resources is a Calgary based oil and gas producer that acquires, develops and operates heavy oil and natural gas assets across western Canada, with core thermal projects in the Cold Lake and Lloydminster regions. It focuses on extracting bitumen and crude using steam assisted methods and conventional wells, then selling into the broader North American energy market.

Operations: Strathcona Resources generates most of its roughly CA$3.9b in revenue from Canadian operations, led by CA$963 million from Lloydminster Thermal, CA$618 million from Lloydminster Conventional and CA$2,022 million from Cold Lake, with smaller segment adjustments.

Market Cap: CA$9.1b

Strathcona Resources provides concentrated exposure to Canadian oil at a time when renewed U.S. Iran friction and a tighter Strait of Hormuz are pushing buyers to look more closely at non Middle East supply. The company is investing in projects such as Meota Central and targets higher production rates, while analysts expect strong earnings growth and see the stock trading below their estimate of fair value. The trade off is that margins have recently compressed, funding relies on external sources and earnings have been volatile. The case for Strathcona therefore depends on how investors weigh its growth plans and oil sands concentration against policy, ESG and balance sheet risk as geopolitical concerns keep global supply security in focus.

Strathcona Resources is pushing for higher production, while margins and funding pressures raise hard questions. Get the fuller story through the 2 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Excelerate Energy (EE)

Overview: Excelerate Energy is a Texas based company that owns and operates floating liquefied natural gas, or LNG, regasification terminals and related infrastructure, helping countries convert shipped LNG back into usable natural gas. It also provides the crews and technical services to run these terminals and sells natural gas, LNG, power and steam to its customers.

Operations: Excelerate Energy generates about US$1.3b in revenue from its Utilities, Gas business, with customers spread across North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Market Cap: US$4.46b

Excelerate Energy stands out in this screener because it sits right on the fault line between geopolitical risk in the Strait of Hormuz and the global need for reliable gas import infrastructure. Its floating regasification vessels support markets from the UAE to Latin America, backed by long term, take or pay style contracts that can help smooth earnings even when LNG routes are disrupted. At the same time, profitability is still relatively thin, funding relies heavily on external borrowing and projects like the Iraq terminal have already seen timetable shifts due to regional conflict. For investors, the real question is how that mix of contract visibility, dividend growth and exposure to LNG trade routes compares with decarbonization, capital intensity and higher political risk in key markets.

Excelerate Energy’s long term LNG contracts and global footprint could be masking a much bigger story about future earnings resilience. See how the analyst forecasts for Excelerate Energy frame that trade off before a key risk tilts the picture.

The three stocks in this article are only a starting point, since the full Energy Sector - Oil & Gas Producers screener surfaces 15 more companies with equally compelling oil and gas stories that could change how you think about this theme. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the precise catalysts and narratives that matter to you so you can focus on the highest conviction opportunities in this space.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.