Trump's "Drill, Baby, Drill" Executive Orders and the Energy Sector: 9 High-Conviction Stocks and LEAPS Strategies for Long-Term Gains

The Trump-Vance administration's 2025 energy policies represent a seismic shift in U.S. energy strategy, prioritizing domestic oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production over renewable energy. Executive orders such as “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” and “Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential” have created a regulatory environment that accelerates infrastructure development, reduces environmental oversight, and prioritizes fossil fuels. For investors, this represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to capitalize on a sector poised for decades of growth. Below, we identify nine high-conviction energy stocks and LEAPS (Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities) strategies aligned with these policies.

The Policy Framework: A Tailwind for Fossil Fuels

The Trump-Vance administration's executive orders have dismantled Biden-era restrictions on drilling, LNG exports, and critical mineral mining. Key measures include:
1. Expedited Permitting: Revoking NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) delays and streamlining approvals for energy projects.
2. LNG Expansion: Lifting export restrictions and fast-tracking permits for terminals like Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass.
3. Resource Liberation: Opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A) to drilling.
4. Deregulation: Rolling back climate mandates and reversing the EV subsidy program.

These policies create a fertile ground for energy producers, pipeline operators, and LNG terminal developers. The administration's focus on energy dominance—coupled with Japan's $550 billion investment in U.S. energy infrastructure—signals a long-term structural shift.

9 High-Conviction Energy Stocks for the Next Decade

1. ExxonMobil (XOM)
2. Why It Fits: The largest U.S. oil producer, with $140 billion in investments for the Permian Basin and LNG projects.
3. Executive Order Tailwind: Streamlined permitting and expanded offshore drilling access.

5. Chevron (CVX)

6. Why It Fits: A global leader in integrated oil and gas, with significant LNG export capacity.

7. Executive Order Tailwind: Revoked EV mandates and LNG export expansion.

8. EOG Resources (EOG)

9. Why It Fits: A top U.S. shale producer with a disciplined capital allocation strategy.

10. Executive Order Tailwind: Reduced regulatory hurdles for shale development.

11. Kinder Morgan (KMI)

12. Why It Fits: A critical pipeline operator for oil and gas transportation.

13. Executive Order Tailwind: Accelerated infrastructure projects like the Alaska LNG pipeline.

14. Williams Companies (WMB)

15. Why It Fits: A midstream leader in natural gas gathering and processing.

16. Executive Order Tailwind: Increased demand for natural gas due to LNG export growth.

17. Cheniere Energy (LNG)

18. Why It Fits: The leading LNG terminal operator, with expansion projects in Louisiana and Texas.

19. Executive Order Tailwind: Direct support for U.S. LNG exports to Europe and Asia.

20. Sempra Energy (SRE)

21. Why It Fits: A key player in LNG infrastructure, including the Cameron LNG terminal.

22. Executive Order Tailwind: Fast-tracked permitting for export projects.

23. Energy Fuels (UUUU)

24. Why It Fits: A uranium and rare earth mineral producer critical for energy and defense.

25. Executive Order Tailwind: National energy emergency declaration to boost domestic mineral production.

26. Cameco Corp (CCJ)

27. Why It Fits: A top uranium miner, essential for nuclear energy expansion.
28. Executive Order Tailwind: Increased focus on nuclear energy as a clean, reliable power source.

LEAPS Options Strategies for Long-Term Energy Growth

LEAPS options offer leveraged exposure to the energy sector's multi-decade growth potential. Here's how to position for it:

1. ExxonMobil (XOM) 2027 LEAPS Call Options
2. Rationale: Exxon's $140 billion investment plan and LNG expansion align with Trump's energy agenda.

3. Strike Price: Target a strike price 10-15% above current levels to balance leverage and downside protection.

4. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) 2028 LEAPS Call Options

5. Rationale: With $7.5 billion in pipeline projects, EPD's fee-based revenue model is insulated from commodity price swings.

6. Strike Price: Use a strike price aligned with 2028 project completions to capture long-term cash flow growth.

7. Cheniere Energy (LNG) 2027 LEAPS Call Options

8. Rationale: Global LNG demand is projected to rise 50% by 2040, driven by European and Asian markets.

9. Strike Price: A 20% premium to current prices to account for volatility in the sector.

10. Energy Fuels (UUUU) 2026 LEAPS Call Options

11. Rationale: Uranium demand is surging as the U.S. ramps up nuclear energy production.
12. Strike Price: A 25% premium to reflect the company's scaling operations and government contracts.

Risks and Mitigations

While the policy environment is favorable, investors must remain cautious:
- Regulatory Reversals: Future administrations could roll back Trump-Vance policies. Mitigation: Diversify across energy subsectors (e.g., oil, LNG, critical minerals).
- Global Market Shifts: A rapid transition to renewables could disrupt fossil fuel demand. Mitigation: Focus on companies with LNG and nuclear exposure, which align with both energy security and decarbonization goals.
- Tariffs and Trade Wars: Steel and aluminum tariffs may increase infrastructure costs. Mitigation: Prioritize companies with strong balance sheets and pricing power.

Conclusion: A Golden Era for Energy Investors

The Trump-Vance administration's energy policies have created a regulatory tailwind for fossil fuels, LNG, and critical minerals. The nine high-conviction stocks and LEAPS strategies outlined above are positioned to outperform for decades, driven by policy certainty, global demand, and infrastructure expansion. For investors seeking long-term growth, the energy sector offers a compelling opportunity—one that rewards patience, discipline, and a clear-eyed view of the new energy paradigm.

As the U.S. reclaims its role as a global energy leader, the key to success lies in aligning with the forces of policy, economics, and technological resilience. The next decade will be defined by energy dominance—and the stocks that lead this charge will shape the future of the sector.