Oil

112 Stories

Environment

Is carrying crude oil by rail worth the risk? This expert says no

In Whatcom County on Tuesday, a mile-long oil train derailed and caught fire as it was rolling toward a refinery in Ferndale. No one was hurt, and state officials say there have been no wildlife impacts. Eric de Place is an expert on oil trains and derailments. He's director of energy policy at the Sightline Institute -- a non-profit think-tank based in Seattle. He joined KUOW to talk about the dangers of transporting oil by rail.
Paige Browning

Andy Hurst
Business

Exxon Writes Off Record Amount From Value of Assets Amid Energy Market Downturn

Exxon, which usually avoids writing down assets, has announced its largest-ever impairment after canceling plans for natural gas projects in the Americas.
Camila Domonoske
Where a booming oil market meets wind and solar alternatives, geopolitics happens

‘Peak oil, at this point, it looks like it’s around 2030, which used to sound far away, but it isn’t anymore.’
John O'Brien

Ross Reynolds
Business

Oil Demand Has Collapsed, And It Won't Come Back Any Time Soon

The pandemic massively reduced the world's consumption of oil. Now two influential reports suggest that this state of affairs will continue well into 2021 — if not longer.
Camila Domonoske
Business

Oil Industry, Accustomed To Booms And Busts, Is Rocked By Pandemic

When the price of oil crashes, oil companies often merge and big oil gets even bigger. So this crisis could be an opportunity for companies, but it comes with a tremendous amount of uncertainty.
Camila Domonoske
Business

Why The World Is Still Pumping So Much Oil Even As Demand Drops Away

The ongoing pandemic means the world is using far less oil. But pumps are still going, creating a huge oversupply. Companies are often willing to operate pumps at a loss — for a little while.
Camila Domonoske
Business

Free-Falling: Oil Prices Keep Diving As Demand Disappears

At one point on Monday morning, West Texas Intermediate hit $10.34 a barrel — the lowest price in 34 years. At the start of 2020, that same barrel cost around $60.
Camila Domonoske
Business

Oil Prices Keep Slipping As Demand Drops By Record Amounts

The International Energy Agency says the industry is about to test the limit of how much oil it can transport and store, given the phenomenal drop in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Camila Domonoske
Business

We're Barreling Toward An Epic Glut Of Oil

The supply of oil has surged as the coronavirus pandemic has destroyed demand. Prices have plummeted and analysts are starting to ask if the world will have enough space to store all the extra oil.
Camila Domonoske
Environment

As Climate Warnings Grow Dire, Energy Companies Face A 'New Frontier Of Threats'

Natural disasters, protests and stark scientific reports are heightening concern over climate change. And companies are under pressure from banks and investors to green their corporate images.
Avery Ellfeldt

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