Rising crude prices are kick-starting the Kansas oil industry back to life

Oct 8, 2018
Low oil prices hit the state's mostly small producers hard. As a barrel of oil goes up, the industry is hopeful profits will start flowing again.
Tom Casey, a supervisor at Express Oil Service, checks in with his workers.
Brian Grimmett/Kansas News Service

Why high prices mean good news for U.S. oil

Sep 25, 2018
Tight supply and healthy demand help, too.

Trump wants OPEC to keep oil prices down

Sep 21, 2018
Getting prices down could be complicated. Supply from Iran is already at two-year lows, and new U.S. sanctions on the country are set to go into effect in November.
The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is seen at the headquarters building in Vienna on April 4, 2013.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images

Airlines seek to balance competitive fares and rising fuel prices

Jul 3, 2018
If you’re wondering why airfares are relatively low at the moment, the answer is that there are a lot of inexpensive seats being offered by what’s called “ultra-low cost carriers.” Those fares from airlines like Frontier and Spirit are keeping the market competitive for bigger airlines, and passengers are benefiting. But with rising oil (and, […]

Thanks, OPEC! Gas prices may be falling just in time for your vacay roadtrip

Jun 21, 2018
OPEC meetings are underway in Vienna, and for now, indications are that oil-producing countries will agree to lift some of the production limits they set 18 months ago. We look into how any changes out of the OPEC summit could ripple through the global economy. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Costlier oil likely means higher prices for air travel

Jun 5, 2018
Every time we pull into a gas station, we see the effect of rising global oil prices. Airlines are getting a bit of sticker shock, too, when they fill their planes with jet fuel. Crude oil is up close to 50 percent in the past year, which is likely to cut into profits and lead […]

In Texas oil town, high times, but low housing supply

Apr 25, 2018
Midland, in the heart of the Permian Basin, struggles to house workers and even longtime residents.
Flags hanging in Midland, Texas. 
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace

For public good, not for profit.

Oil boom cheers Texas town, but some worry about education

Apr 25, 2018
Midland, Texas, is doing well with high oil prices but having trouble retaining teachers for its public schools.
A state-of-the-art Midland Public Library was built using sales tax money.
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace

Midland, Texas, is booming as oil prices rise

Apr 24, 2018
Times are good in the Permian Basin, but schools and roads still need improvement.
Workers on an oil rig in Midland, Texas, part of the Permian Basin, where output has tripled in the past three years.
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace

Oil prices are on the rise, but some in oil country are feeling left out

Apr 24, 2018
In Midland, Texas, the gap between rich and poor is evident at every turn.
Flags shown in Midland, Texas.
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace