Oil

BHP Billiton reported record earnings, today, but there are questions about the company's $130 billion all-share bid for its rival, Rio Tinto. Stephen Beard reports given BHP's strong earnings, Rio can demand a much better offer.

Oil drillers have been descending on farms in the Midwest to sink new wells, and that's making some farmers rich. But it's also damaging the environment and wrecking other farmers' lives. Peter O'Dowd reports.

The price of natural gas is down. But it's not just because of lower crude oil prices or word that three states will provide new supplies. Dan Grech reports on an unexpected factor in the availability of the important fuel.

Oil is an especially volatile commodity this year. First it soared to record prices, now it's going the other way. Host Kai Ryssdal asks an oil expert to help sort this out. You might be surprised by this expert's prediction.

The July Consumer Price Index rose more than expected, as the average weekly earnings fell in the same month. But how does that mesh with plummeting home prices? Mitchell Hartman reports.

A group of Senate moderates are in agreement about a proposal that would allow some offshore drilling. John Dimsdale has details on the compromise plan and talked with a few experts about it.

How will the war in Georgia affect Europe, which gets 25 percent of its oil from Russia? Host Kai Ryssdal turns to a European and Eurasian expert to find out.

Heavy fighting in Georgia could do damage to a crucial oil pipeline supplying Western Europe. Scott Jagow talks to Stephen Beard about why the pipeline is important and why it's so vulnerable.

Oil may be down at the moment, but in a study out today, a British energy expert is warning crude oil prices could swoop back up to recent highs. Stephen Beard reports the world could be facing an oil crisis very soon.