Total SA Plans to Open Up the Checkbook After Impressive Q2 Earnings

It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that eventually oil and gas companies were going to start spending more money on exploration and development of new sources. The amount of underinvestment is going to start impacting production levels, and new investments are cheap thanks to lower oil services costs. The company that can capitalize on this market dynamic early has an opportunity to make a lot of money, and Total's (NYSE: TOT) management plans to do just that.

One reason Total will be able to is because the company's results have improved to the point that it can spend more money. Here's a look at the company's most recent earnings and why management thinks now is the time to spend.

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Source: Fool.com