On November 30th, 2016 the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to cut crude oil production by 1.2 million barrels a day...[which] sent many energy stocks soaring and will likely drive up the price of WTI Crude Oil and make many energy companies, such as the 9 discussed in this article, more profitable.

Written by Timothy J. McIntosh

...While some investors have been spooked by the energy sector in the last two years, there are many stocks with decent performance that offer excellent dividend opportunities. [Below is an analysis of 9 of the best such stocks]:

1. Hess Corp. (NYSE: HES) soared nearly 14% during market hours following the OPEC production news...In addition to the positive news, some analysts expect the company to have exceptional performance during the Trump administration.

• The company currently pays a $0.25 quarterly dividend and has a dividend yield of about 1.80%.
• While it has not consecutively raised dividends, it has been paying them for over 20 years. We expect Hess to declare its next dividend in the beginning of December and make a payout by the end of the year.

2. ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) shares rose nearly 8% after the OPEC agreement...To limit expenditures, the company has been divesting its assets to deal with lower oil prices. With higher prices on the way, it is likely that this stock will benefit and shares will increase.

• The company has a dividend yield for investors at around 2%.
• Although the company slashed its dividend by 66% this year, an easier energy environment will likely help the company grow its dividend again.
• The stock pays its next $0.25 dividend on December 1. We expect the company to declare its next dividend in early February.

3. Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY) jumped nearly 6% following the OPEC news...The company recently acquired acreage in the Permian Basin for about $2 billion in a deal with private sellers. The deal will allow OXY to expand operations in Texas and grow its business.

• The stock currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.76 and has a dividend yield of approximately 4.25%.
• The company has been steadily raising its dividend for investors and offers a great yield for investors seeking dividend income.
• The company will go ex-dividend next week on December 7 and will pay its quarterly dividend on January 13.

4. Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) climbed over 5% following the OPEC production reports. The stock is up nearly 9% year-to-date, and has seen several analyst upgrades over the last two months. In addition, Schlumberger, which is the world's largest driller, recently signed a deal with Iran to research in Iranian fields. While this deal could be impacted by the Trump administration, it is expected that this deal will be positive for the company and could drive shares upward.

• Schlumberger currently has a dividend yield over 2% and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.50.
• The company has held its dividend steady, maintaining its current dividend since 2015, and increasing it prior.
• SLB will go ex-dividend on December 5 and will pay its next dividend on January 13.

5. Marathon Petroleum Corp (NYSE: MPC ) was up over 2% after the announcement from OPEC, but is down nearly 20% in 2016. The petroleum refining company saw a significant decline during the correction in the beginning of 2016, but has been able to rebound in recent months. In the last three months, the stock is up more than 10%...

• The company offers a dividend yield over 3% and currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.36 and will pay its next dividend on December 6.
• We expect the company to declare its next dividend in early February.  
• 6MPC has been boosting its dividend consecutively since 2011.

6. Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) rose over 2% following the OPEC news. In addition, the stock is up over 23% in 2016, which outperforms the sector by about 10%. During the oil price decline, Chevron has done a great job slashing expenses, eliminating over $10 billion in expenditures this year.

• Despite plummeting oil prices, the company has finally raised its dividend, marking its first increase since 2014.
• The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $1.08 and has a dividend yield of approximately 3.90%.
• CVX will pay its next dividend on December 12. We expect the company to declare its next dividend in February.

7. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) shares increased modestly following the OPEC news, at 1.6%. The stock is up about 7% in 2016 (and up 12% excluding the January correction). The company also recently announced its plan to merge with InterOil after winning a bidding war. However, this deal has been delayed by regulators.

• The company has a dividend yield over 3.4% and currently pays a dividend of $0.75 each quarter.
• Exxon Mobil has been continuously boosting its dividend each year since 1983.
• It will pay its next dividend on December 9 and will likely announce its following dividend in early February.

8. Total SA (ADR) (NYSE: TOT ) increased about 1.60% after the OPEC announcement to cut production. The stock is down about 3% in 2016 and has seen a fair amount of volatility this year. Like Schlumberger, Total SA also made a deal with Iran, which will likely benefit the company's bottom line.

• The France-based ADR offers a dividend yield of about 5.6%, which is a great income opportunity for investors.
• Since TOT is an ADR, its dividend payouts vary each quarter. Its last payout, in October, paid investors $0.6698 per share. We expect its next dividend announcement to be in the middle of December.

9. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) was the only energy stock on my Top 100 Dividend Stocks list to decline after the OPEC announcement, falling by over 3% during market hours on November 30. In 2016, the stock has dropped over 15%....

• Valero currently offers a dividend yield of nearly 4% and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.60.
• The stock will pay its next dividend payout on December 15. We expect its next dividend announcement to be at the end of January.
• Valero has been increasing its dividend every year since 2011.