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More oil, fewer rigs: how the U.S. became the world's top producer

Mar 5, 2024
New, more productive technology helped, along with pressure for profits.
U.S. oil production continues to break records, even though the number of active rigs has fallen by nearly 70% in the past decade.
George Rose/Getty Images

Oil-rich Permian Basin attracts buyers with resources

Jan 1, 2024
Big companies have been paying billions to acquire smaller competitors — and their drilling rights.
A mural depicting oil drilling adorns a building in Odessa, Texas. The Permian Basin region has helped the U.S. become the world's top oil producer.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

After defeats in the courtroom and boardroom, is Big Oil at a climate tipping point?

May 27, 2021
Climate activists won seats on Chevron and Exxon's boards, and Shell lost in court. Changes must be big to protect the environment.
Climate activists are advancing in the U.S. But to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, big changes will be required in an energy-hungry world.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

For oil giant Shell, service station means electric cars, too

Nov 27, 2017
Running cars on something other than gas stands to greatly reduce the world’s need for oil. That has energy company Shell moving into the electric vehicle charging business. On top of last month’s purchase of major European electric vehicle charging network NewMotion, it’s got a new partnership to put high speed EV chargers in dozens […]

Oil prices are down, and so is exploring for oil

Aug 31, 2016
Last year, oil companies found the lowest new reserves in 70 years.
Oil wells pump the oil fields of California's southern Central Valley. 
David McNew/Getty Images

When oil prices fall, Big Oil has an advantage

Jan 28, 2015
Oil-refining businesses and decades-long outlooks cushion price swings.

Kinder Morgan deal lays groundwork for more pipelines

Aug 11, 2014
Consolidation will allow Kinder Morgan to acquire other pipeline companies

For public good, not for profit.

BP oil engineers could face felony charges

Dec 29, 2011
The U.S. government could soon bring criminal charges against some BP employees in the company's huge 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

MID-DAY UPDATE: Economic news bad. Stock prices good.

Jul 22, 2010
/**/ Sales of previously occupied homes fell in June; new unemployment benefit plans rose. Yet at this writing, Wall Street's jumping. What d...