by Matt Insley

Please pull up a seat, dear reader. The show has already started… We're in the third act. The title of the show? The Downfall Of OPEC. Catchy name, eh?

From our perch, here in the balcony seats of North America, the show has been fantastic. Kudos to the cast and crew! Bravo to the playwright!

The show is about to get much better, too.

But before we get to the real drama, there's an obligatory caveat. As you know, the price of crude is falling – it's been under pressure for the past four months. To that end, low prices have put a real pinch on shares of U.S. producers. It hasn't been pretty. However, the dust will settle. And the U.S. shale game will be back to full roar soon. It's not all doom and gloom here in the U.S., mark my words. 

It's not all doom and gloom here in the U.S., mark my words.

Plus, as you'll see below, there's some solid ways to sidestep the carnage in today's market. (More on that in a moment.)

In the meantime, you've just GOT to imagine what's going on behind closed doors at OPEC…

Too much partying. Too many women. Too many drugs.

Big egos.

It's only a matter of time before that kind of lifestyle wears on you.

And for members of a rock-and-roll band it's normally the perfect recipe for a break up. Especially when you consider the existing demands of the business – nonstop touring, recording sessions and more.

With OPEC, I can't vouch for the hookers and blow. But I can vouch for the fact that the cartel members have had it VERY good for the past decade. Steady production, lots of cash flow, ability to drastically expand government handouts and subsidies – for all intents and purposes it's been a party-like atmosphere backstage at OPEC.

Whatever the equation, though, this band is ready for a stunning break up.

Why am I so certain?

Let's take a look at where we've been and where we're headed. The road is paved for OPEC's demise. Here's the play by play…