Tuesday tips round-up: Genel Energy, Gulf Keystone

The Al-Qaeda splinter group ISIS has shot itself in the foot with its actions in the north of Iraq. While Baghdad´s hand in the region has always been weak that is not the case with the well-organised Kurdish fighters, who are more than a match for those from that radical islamist movement. This means that the oil industry in the Kurdish region, where some London-listed outfits have their operations, is now safe. Furthermore, ISIS move means that Baghdad will find it increasingly hard to pressure Kurdistan politically, or otherwise.However, the long-term aspirations of Iraq to become one of the main global oil producers, alongside Saudi Arabia, may take a hit. Oil majors such as Shell had already been re-assesing their position in the country as a result of the crushing weight of government red tape and political instability - on top of low profit margins. To now have to contemplate the risk of military attacks may be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel´s back. For Genel however, who operates in Kurdistan, its political problems with Baghdad may have just disappeared, so buy. Question marks do still remain over Gulf Keystone, so 'sell'. Afren is a 'hold', writes The Times´ Tempus. The rapidly shifting political sands in the Middle East are always a danger to contend with for investors ion the region. However, Genel Energy´s assets are located in the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan. Its armed forces, known as the Pashmerga, possibly the largest and most professional force in that part of the world. Hence, Genel´s assets there are safe. Likewise, Kurdistan now has a pipeline which allows it to export through Turkey, bypassing Baghdad and the south of the country. The company has been quickly increasing oil production from the vast Tak Tak oilfield and the firm has said it is on target to reach 70,000 barrels of oil per day. Simply put, the necessary financing is in place, production is on the up, so the shares are still a buy, writes The Daily Telegraph´s Questor.