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Why isn't Big Oil up in arms about the climate-friendly Inflation Reduction Act?

Aug 8, 2022
The bill incentivizes clean energy but doesn't vilify fossil fuels. Traditional oil companies can access some of the benefits as well.
The climate legislation gives oil companies a win with expanded drilling opportunities on federal lands and a pipeline in West Virginia.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

How do we calculate supply and demand for oil heading into the future?

Jun 15, 2022
There are a lot of variables that make predicting energy demand in 2023 difficult, including rising interest rates, inflation and potential COVID flare-ups.
President Biden recently demanded big oil companies bring down gas and diesel prices. Above, gas stations in Bethesda, Maryland, earlier this year.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via 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

French oil giant Total going big on solar energy

Jan 19, 2021
It's one of a number of growing examples of oil companies adjusting to changing energy needs.
Above, photovoltaic solar panels at the power plant in La Colle des Mees, Alpes de Haute Provence, in southeastern France in 2019.
Gerard Julien/AFP via Getty Images

What the Chevron-Anadarko deal means for Permian shale

Apr 12, 2019
Will there be other deals like it?
Chevron recently launched a "news" website in the Permian Basin in Texas, complete with local stories about puppies followed by advertisements for the oil giant.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Saudi oil company profits impress

Apr 1, 2019
What’s the most profitable company on earth? We’ll give you three guesses. Nope, not Apple. Google? Try again. Exxon Mobil – wrong. It’s the national oil company of Saudi Arabia. Known as Saudi Aramco, it’s the runaway leader, according to new numbers put out by the company. These number are the first since … well, […]

A turnaround for oil companies?

Feb 1, 2019
Some investors are optimistic that Big Oil has been able to ride out the plummeting prices of late last year.

For public good, not for profit.

Why boom-bust oil prices may be here to stay

Apr 18, 2017
Robert McNally's 'Crude Volatility' looks at the cycle in a historical context.
“I think the sort of the next rude shock perhaps in the oil markets is that we will be thirstier for oil for a lot longer than folks hope and expect,” says energy analyst Robert McNally.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Big oil is seeking public trust

Mar 10, 2017
The corporate world seems on track to address the issue of climate change even as the Trump administration questions much of the research around its validity. Shell corporation says it’s not just boosting its renewable investments to $1 billion, it’s also tying board member pay to greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It’s not uncommon for fossil […]

Permian Basin oil find cheers U.S. drillers

Mar 7, 2017
Oil drilling and fracking are back in America — that’s the storyline out of the big annual oil industry confab in Houston this week. Crude oil prices have recovered from a two-year bust. The rigs are getting back to work. But a new location is the talk of the day. No, not Alberta, Canada, or […]