The U.S. exports more petroleum than it imports. So why are we importing at all?

May 13, 2024
It's largely about the chemistry of the oil and the mechanics of the refineries. In many cases, importing foreign crude is cheaper.
An oil pumpjack in Texas. Importing foreign crude oil is often cheaper for the United States.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Strategic oil release comes with guaranteed buybacks, but will anyone do the drilling?

Oct 20, 2022
Oil companies have been hampered by labor and capital costs and $70 a barrel may not be enough to lure them.
The White House plans to buy oil to refill the strategic petroleum reserve at roughly $70 per barrel — a break-even point for most on-shore U.S. oil producers.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The new wrench in return-to-office plans? Gas.

Jun 17, 2022
Gasoline prices are fueling workers' resistance to go back to the office this summer.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

If oil prices are off their peaks, why are gas prices still rising?

"Gasoline prices and diesel prices are going to be very high through the summer, potentially higher than they are today," says Bloomberg's Javier Blas.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

To drill or not to drill, that is the question with oil at $80 a barrel

Oct 11, 2021
So far, big oil companies are in the "not" camp.
As the rally in oil prices continues, independent drillers are expanding their investments in Texas’ Permian Basin, but so far, industry giants are on the sidelines.
Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images

Pain at the pump? Think Iran.

Jun 21, 2021
Yes, the economy is reopening globally. But gasoline prices are also affected by Iran's latest election.
The price of crude oil has risen $3 to about $75 per barrel since Iran elected Ebrahim Raisi president last week.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Examining the toxic history of flame retardants

A look at how the flame retardant industry came to touch so many objects in our lives.
A fire-fighting air tanker drops fire retardant on the deadly 40,000-acre Esperanza Fire in the San Jacinto Mountains on Oct.28, 2006 west of Palm Springs near Banning, California. 
David McNew / Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

A single pipeline leak slows the Southeast

Sep 19, 2016
Many kinds of disconnects impact pipelines these days: some physical, others cognitive.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

Gas is below $2 a gallon, so where's the savings going?

Dec 21, 2015
Drivers are saving at the pump, but they're not spending more elsewhere.

The first electric cars weren't 'manly' enough

Oct 7, 2014
Decisions about fuel have as much to do with gender norms as energy density.