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UAE intended to use COP28 climate summit to push oil deals

Nov 27, 2023
Leaked documents obtained by the BBC show the United Arab Emirates, a major fossil fuel producer, was looking to strike oil deals at COP28.
New documents obtained by the BBC show that the United Arab Emirates planned do business deals involving oil and gas at COP28. Above, an oil drill pump in Dubai.
Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images

Delay of OPEC+ meeting leaves questions about oil supply cuts

Nov 22, 2023
The expectation was that OPEC countries would continue cutting back supply. Some think the delay may mean there’s disagreement about that.
A lot of OPEC countries would really like it if the price of oil was a bit higher.
Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

Exxon is shelling out $60B to double its Permian production. Why there?

Oct 12, 2023
The Permian Basin, which runs through West Texas and New Mexico, produces more oil than most countries.
If the Permian Basin were its own country, it would be among the top five oil producers in the world, said Karr Ingham with the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. Above, an oil pumpjack in Odessa, Texas.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Saudis cut oil production — but that might not lead to higher gas prices

Jun 5, 2023
Cutting production usually leads to an increase in prices. Here's why that might not be the case this time.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

OPEC grapples with sliding oil prices

May 10, 2023
The cartel releases its monthly oil market report on Thursday.
Despite the fact that OPEC nations cut oil production last month, oil prices are largely back to where they were in early April.
Joe Kalmar/AFP via Getty Images

OPEC+ agrees to boost oil production. But probably not enough to lower prices.

Aug 3, 2022
The small increase of 100,00 barrels a day may be a sign that the cartel thinks a recession is coming.
By pledging to increase output by just 100,000 barrels a day, OPEC could be implying that it expects demand for oil to fall. Above, OPEC's headquarters in Vienna.
Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

Why OPEC might decide to take a break from its alliance with Russia

Jun 1, 2022
Russia is the world's third-largest oil producer — such a decision won't be made lightly.
The relationship between Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has always been contentious.
Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Domestic oil could increase supply, but it won't be cheap — or quick

Mar 9, 2022
"The harsh reality for U.S. oil markets is that there is no switch that anyone can flip to suddenly turn on oil production overnight," one expert told us.
It might take six to nine months for domestic oil producers to substantially ramp up production.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What does OPEC have to say about the Russian oil situation? Not much.

Part of it comes down to the oil world's "delicate equilibrium."
Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

In West Texas, astronomers worry about growing oilfield light pollution

Jul 9, 2021
A major Texas observatory is trying to convince oil and gas companies to minimize light pollution from drilling rigs and gas plants.
A view of McDonald Observatory in West Texas. Astronomers have grown concerned about light pollution from oilfield activity in the region, and the observatory has worked to educate companies on alternative “dark sky-friendly” lighting methods.
Damond Benningfield/McDonald Observatory