The explosion of shale growth opportunity in the U.S. has made several companies very wealthy in recent years. Major player Kodiak Oil & Gas is reaping the benefits of this growth. It found much of its wealth in the booming Bakken Shale and is producing approximately 5,600 barrels of oil equivalent on a daily basis.

The driller gushed a revenue of $257 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $300 million in the second quarter. By mid-July, Whiting Petroleum was so impressed by the Kodiak’s potential, it announced plans to buy the company. —V.G.