An energy-sector rout intensified Monday, as mild weather forecasts sent oil and natural-gas prices plunging, and prompted widespread selling of energy-company shares. Traders said some of the heaviest declines came in the shares of companies with heavy debt loads, which are perceived as the most vulnerable to a further downturn in energy prices amid a historic bust. Many oil and gas companies took on large debt loads to fund domestic drilling projects when energy prices were higher. Light, sweet crude for January delivery settled down $2.32, or 5.8%, to $37.65 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest settlement since February 2009. Natural gas for January delivery recently fell 5.4%, to $2.067 a million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest settlement since October. The selloff reflected a host of setbacks for investors betting on higher energy prices and share-price gains. The Organization […]