Topic: American Petroleum Institute

Gas prices rise: Is Obama to blame?

Gas prices are 14 percent higher than a year ago, though US demand has risen only 0.7 percent. So what – or who – is driving up prices? The Heritage Foundation points a finger at Obama's environmental policies.

Deepwater Horizon: Report sparks push for tougher laws

Deepwater Horizon oil spill report recommends tougher offshore drilling rules, more financial consequences for oil companies.

US gas prices pass $3 mark. Will anything stop them from climbing higher?

Declines in domestic and foreign production are to blame for higher US gas prices, analysts say. Some in the industry see $5-a-gallon gas in 2012, while others say supplies will increase to halt the rise.

Heating oil could cost a homeowner $259 more this winter

The price of crude oil is rising, pushing up heating oil costs. Natural gas prices are holding steadier.

Obama's new offshore oil drilling rules: too many loopholes?

The White House’s new guidelines for offshore oil drilling in deep water were intended to make it tougher for oil companies to avoid detailed environmental reviews.

Senate derails campaign finance bill ahead of 2010 elections

Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic campaign finance bill Tuesday, leaving corporations free to spend as much as they want on political ads ahead of the 2010 elections this November.

Could shale deposits bring mid-Atlantic states $2 trillion?

A new oil industry study says there is as much as $2 trillion in natural gas locked in shale deposits beneath New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. But drilling for it can be fraught with problems, critics say.

Five crucial moves by BP: Did they lead to Gulf oil spill disaster?

In a hearing Thursday, House Democrats investigating the disaster suggested that BP made five cost-saving decisions that might have contributed to the Gulf oil spill.

Studies suggest MMS knew blowout preventers had 'critical' flaws

Government regulators have said that the failure of the Deepwater Horizon's blowout preventer April 20 was unforeseeable. But studies conducted for federal regulators in MMS or with their participation show that blowout preventers were known to have 'safety critical' vulnerabilities.

Before BP oil spill, Big Oil-led study urged feds to cut safety testing

The 2009 study intensifies suspicions that Big Oil interests trumped US safety regulations, a concern that has been growing since the BP oil spill.

How bad is Gulf oil spill? A global Q&A on offshore oil spills

With some 1,200 offshore oil rigs operating today, oil spills are still relatively rare. But experts warn that safety procedures and cleanup methods have not kept pace with drilling at ever-deeper depths.

BP oil spill halts US drilling permits, for now

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that no new drilling permits would be released until a safety review ordered by Obama is released later this month. The BP oil spill has increased calls by environmentalists for a permanent ban on offshore drilling.

What's behind rising oil prices?

A weak US dollar has sent investors to oil, pushing up crude prices over the past few months. That means higher gasoline prices this Thanksgiving.

Obama's ocean task force releases report

Sweeping changes could affect the United States' management of oceans, including offshore energy development.

Recession over? Five signs Bernanke may be right

A number of positive trends support the Federal Reserve chief's statement that the recession has "very likely" ended.

As oil prices fall, fewer wells drilled in US

The sharp decline in drilling – a 46 percent drop compared with last year – could push up future energy prices.

Gas prices are falling, but will consumers notice?

They've dropped 5 cents over the past week and oil is down from $71 to below $60 a barrel. But lower fuel prices may not make an impression on recession-hit consumers.

Democrats struggling for consensus on climate bills

With competing bills in the House and Senate, Democrats struggle to agree on key climate and energy reforms.

Is Big Oil a crusader against greenhouse gases?

Report: 'Green' jobs outpacing traditional ones

The "green" energy and transportation sector is emerging as a vital part of the US economy, though still small compared with oil and gas, says a new study.

Sweeping climate-energy bill clears first big hurdle in Congress

The compromise measure would mandate reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and require greater use of renewable energy. The Senate could be a major stumbling block.

A gallon of gas on track to stay below $3 this spring

With crude oil stocks high and gasoline demand low, US drivers may get a reprieve from the customary spring spike in gasoline prices this year.

Economic bright spot: energy prices

Gasoline and some heating costs are expected to be relatively low in 2009.

Oil industry adjusts to lower prices

But some wildcatters pack up their drill bits as the exploration rush has cooled.

With gas costly, drivers finally cut back

A decline in miles driven is the first since 1980.