Despite an unpredictable energy market and slipping crude oil prices, one company is making waves in the sector: Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE: AESI). As the energy landscape shifts and the political climate favors domestic production, Atlas stands out as a logistics-driven oil stock with serious upside potential.
Why Oil Stocks Are Surging—Against All Odds
It may come as a surprise, but the energy sector is leading the S&P 500 so far this year, even as oil prices remain volatile. A potential second term for President Donald Trump is fueling optimism among investors that U.S. energy policy will once again favor increased domestic drilling and a pullback from aggressive green energy mandates. This shift could mean higher output, which usually pressures prices—but investors seem to be betting that demand and production efficiencies will more than make up for it.
So, what’s really driving the rally? Smart money might be anticipating strategic advantages for U.S.-based energy infrastructure, and Atlas Energy Solutions is right at the heart of it.
Meet the Dune Express: Atlas’s Competitive Edge in the Permian Basin
Atlas isn’t a traditional oil company. It’s a logistics powerhouse, specializing in the delivery of critical materials—like fracking sand, also called proppants—to energy companies drilling in the Permian Basin, the most productive oilfield in the U.S.
At the center of its operations is the Dune Express, a 42-mile-long electrified conveyor system that transports sand from West Texas to southeastern New Mexico. Built between 2023 and early 2024 and launched in January 2025, the Dune Express is a game changer. It eliminates the need for hundreds of diesel trucks, reducing emissions, road wear, and transportation costs—all while delivering sand faster and more reliably to drilling sites.
“It’s drill, baby, drill all over again,” says George Young, a portfolio manager at Villere & Co., an investment firm that owns shares of Atlas. And drillers need sand to frack. Lots of it.
Expanding Capabilities: More Than Just a Sand Mover
In addition to the Dune Express, Atlas operates a fleet of over 120 trucks to deliver proppants across the Permian. But that’s just the beginning.
In February 2025, Atlas acquired Moser Energy Systems, a privately held manufacturer of power generators used in remote drilling operations. This strategic acquisition allows Atlas to enter the “delivered power” segment, adding a new revenue stream and expanding its footprint in the energy logistics ecosystem.
According to analyst Mike Scialla of Stephens, the move will help Atlas diversify its customer base and strengthen its market position. He remains bullish, citing Atlas’s potential to disrupt the Permian sand market and improve delivery economics through automation and innovation.
Tech-Driven Efficiency: Autonomous Trucks on the Rise
Atlas is also ramping up its use of autonomous vehicles, further lowering labor costs and boosting operational efficiency. Analyst Derek Podhaizer of Piper Sandler believes this could usher in a “new era of efficiencies,” helping the company gain market share and expand margins as oil and gas operators seek lower-cost solutions.
With both the Dune Express and autonomous trucks scaling in 2025, Atlas is positioned to become the logistics backbone of the Permian Basin.
A Financially Attractive Play for Investors
Atlas Energy Solutions isn’t just innovative—it’s profitable. Wall Street analysts project a 35% jump in earnings per share (EPS) this year, alongside a 20% increase in revenue. Yet, the stock trades at a modest 15x forward earnings, making it an attractive value play.
In addition to growth, the stock offers a dividend yield above 5%, appealing to income-focused investors. And insiders are bullish too: Founder and Executive Chairman Ben “Bud” Brigham recently purchased additional shares.
Brigham’s track record speaks volumes. He previously founded and sold multiple energy companies:
- Brigham Resources, sold to Diamondback Energy for $2.55 billion in 2017
- Brigham Minerals, sold to Sitio Royalties for $4.8 billion in 2022
With Brigham holding a 12.5% stake in Atlas, speculation is growing that this could be another prime acquisition target in the future.
Bottom Line: Is Atlas Energy a Buy?
In a sector full of uncertainties, Atlas Energy Solutions offers clarity. It combines smart logistics, infrastructure innovation, and operational efficiency—backed by a proven founder and a growing market. Whether or not oil prices stay elevated, Atlas stands to benefit from the broader shift toward cost-effective, domestic energy production.
With strong insider ownership, compelling valuation, and a technology-driven approach to energy logistics, Atlas may be riding the “Dune Express” to long-term success.
About Author
