Why most of the world still uses the U.S. dollar to buy and sell oil

Jun 25, 2024
The scale, liquidity and stability of U.S. financial markets are partly behind the phenomenon.
Safe, liquid markets in the United States is a key reason most countries buy oil — and many other commodities — with dollars.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

A new report says worldwide oil demand will peak in 2029. Some oil industry observers are skeptical.

Jun 13, 2024
Even if the prediction's right, Big Oil will be with us much longer.
Even if the IEA's estimate is right, petroleum will continue to be a massive industry past 2029.
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OPEC+ will extend supply cuts — but that doesn't appear to be raising prices

Jun 4, 2024
The petroleum-producing cartel is trying to push global oil prices higher, but Americans aren't seeing an increase at the gas pump.
Gas prices in the U.S. have actually fallen 13 cents in the past month, according to AAA.
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A fraction of oil and gas profits would fund methane emissions cuts, global energy agency says

Aug 7, 2023
IEA advises investing in facilities to reduce the potent greenhouse gas. The U.S. government is already funding such programs.
Methane, a greenhouse gas invisible to the naked eye, is one of the biggest contributors to global warming.
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Why the U.S. is a spoiler for OPEC's plan to raise oil prices

Jul 10, 2023
OPEC is trying to cut production among its members in a bid to push up the price of oil, but it hasn't gone according to plan.
One reason oil prices are down is because production in the U.S. has been strong.
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Oil refiners have added capacity. That should reduce the risk of sticker shock at the gas pump.

Jun 29, 2023
Last year's price spike was largely the result of a shortage of refining capacity.
Capacity at oil refineries seems to be going up.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

To stay atop the oil market, OPEC became OPEC+. But keeping the cartel in sync isn't easy.

Jun 28, 2023
The Saudis invited the Russians to the table and rolled out the red carpet. But the Russians haven't always done what the Saudis want.
OPEC and OPEC+ members break their oil production promises all the time, said Victor McFarland at the University of Missouri.
Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Saudis are trying to prop up oil prices by lashing out at short sellers

May 24, 2023
And if it doesn't work, they'll cut production.
An aerial view of an oil facility in eastern Saudi Arabia. The country is the de facto leader of OPEC+.
Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images

Oil tanker costs climb as Russia ties up system with longer routes

Apr 13, 2023
The cost to ship fuel has more than doubled since February.
Sanctions forced Russia to sell more of its oil to countries like India and China, straining the availability of tanker ships.
Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images

Home heating oil prices have dropped from record highs

Feb 10, 2023
A milder winter is one reason why. But it's still a significant expense, and applications for assistance are up.
A milder winter means milder demand for home heating oil.
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