Diamond watchdog gives Zimbabwe time to comply AP (November 06, 2009) JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The world's diamond control body is calling on Zimbabwe to clean up a lawless field, but has stopped short of suspending the country from a process meant to keep "blood" gems off the market.
Oil falls below $78 as US unemployment rises AP (November 06, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices lost over $2 to stumble below $78 a barrel Friday as rising U.S. unemployment figures renewed concerns about the economic recovery and consumer demand.
Ohio governor hails Alcoa $110 million investment AP (November 06, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Alcoa Inc. plans to invest more than $110 million at its Cleveland plant in part to refurbish a forging press used in the production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane.
ND oil lease auction brings record $71.6M AP (November 06, 2009) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - An auction of oil drilling rights on North Dakota state land has fetched $71.6 million, a record haul that will go mostly to benefit public schools.
Sweden OKs Baltic Sea gas pipeline AP (November 05, 2009) STOCKHOLM (AP) - Sweden on Thursday became the second nation to approve a Baltic Sea pipeline that would ship Russian natural gas to Germany, saying the project meets its demands to protect the marine environment.
Statoil partners with China in Gulf of Mexico AP (November 05, 2009) OSLO (AP) - Norwegian oil company Statoil ASA agreed last month to sell part of its interests in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, a company spokesman said Thursday.
Farmland released from conservation program AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Here's a look at the states where the most land is being released from the federal Conservation Reserve Program:
Oil falls to near $79 despite US crude supply drop AP (November 04, 2009) SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices fell slightly to near $79 a barrel Wednesday in Asia despite an unexpected drop in U.S. crude supplies which suggested demand may be picking up.
Oil up above $80 on weak dollar, lower inventories AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices rose to above $80 a barrel Wednesday, helped by the weaker dollar and a report pointing to a drop in U.S. crude supplies.
Oil edges lower ahead of Fed meeting AP (November 03, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices edged lower Tuesday as a stronger dollar cooled the money flow into energy markets that has propped up crude prices for months.
Marathon production rising; profits tumble AP (November 03, 2009) (AP) - Marathon Oil said Tuesday that its third quarter profit plunged from a year ago when record-high prices sent gasoline prices over $4 per gallon.
SD regulators to hold public hearing on pipeline AP (November 03, 2009) PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The Public Utilities Commission gets comments from the public Tuesday evening in Pierre on the $920 million, 313-mile stretch of the Keystone XL pipeline that TransCanada Keystone plans to build across western and south central South Dakota.
ArcelorMittal vows not to shut European plants AP (November 03, 2009) BRUSSELS (AP) - ArcelorMittal SA, the world's largest steel maker, told trade unions Tuesday that it does not plan to shut down any of its European plants.
Oil hovers near $78 amid positive US economic data AP (November 03, 2009) SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices hovered near $78 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as investors welcomed new U.S. manufacturing and construction figures as positive signs of an economic recovery.
Oil hangs below $78 amid demand doubts AP (October 29, 2009) SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices hung below $78 a barrel Thursday in Asia as an unexpected jump in U.S. gasoline supplies cast doubt on the strength of a recovery in crude demand.
Alcoa working with China on commercial jetliner AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Alcoa Inc. said Thursday it is working with China on the development of the country's newest and biggest commercial jetliner.
Shell Q3 profit falls 62 pct, to cut 5,000 jobs AP (October 29, 2009) AMSTERDAM (AP) - Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Europe's largest oil company, reported Thursday a 62 percent fall in profit for the third quarter due to lower oil prices, and said it plans to cut 5,000 jobs to cope with continuing weakness in the global economy.
Barrick Gold posts 3Q loss on hedging charges AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Barrick Gold Corp. on Thursday reported a third-quarter loss of $5.35 billion on a huge charge related to the unwinding of gold hedges which had committed it to sell gold at prices that now seem unusually cheap.
Exxon Mobil 3Q profit drops 68 pct, production up AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The world's largest publicly traded oil company said Thursday that oil production is bouncing back with crude prices.
Newmont Mining 3Q profit more than doubles AP (October 29, 2009) DENVER (AP) - Newmont Mining Corp. said Thursday that its profit more than doubled in the third quarter as the gold producer capitalized on favorable commodity prices and strong gold and copper sales.
Natural gas stocks climb to record high AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Natural gas stockpile levels rose last week to a new high, the government said Thursday.
Energy prices fall ahead of govt supply report AP (October 28, 2009) (AP) - Energy prices fell Wednesday ahead of a government report that could show whether supplies of crude and gasoline are growing tighter as prices at the pump rise.
ConocoPhillips 3Q profit tumble; production jumps AP (October 28, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - ConocoPhillips said Wednesday that low natural gas prices and thin margins from its gasoline refining business drove profits down 71 percent in the third quarter, but the oil company is ramping up production as crude prices jump.
Oil below $79 on mixed signs for US recovery AP (October 28, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices fell below $79 a barrel Wednesday amid mixed signals about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery and the dollar's gains against other major currencies.
1st Mont. license to grow hemp issued to woman AP (October 28, 2009) BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana this month issued its first license for an industrial hemp-growing operation to a woman who said she wants to develop a domestic market for the plant despite federal law barring its cultivation.
ArcelorMittal sees profit after 3 quarterly losses AP (October 28, 2009) BRUSSELS (AP) - ArcelorMittal SA, the world's largest steel maker, on Wednesday posted a $903 million profit in the third quarter, its first after three consecutive quarterly losses, as it saw the first signs of a gradual recovery in demand.
BP 3rd-qtr profit down by a third, tops forecasts AP (October 27, 2009) LONDON (AP) - BP PLC, Europe's second-largest oil company, reported higher than expected profits in the third quarter though earnings were depressed by the sharp fall in oil and gas prices in the past year.
Valero margins get squeezed, loss widens AP (October 27, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The largest independent petroleum refiner in the U.S. reported a loss for the third quarter Tuesday with crude prices rising sharply over the past three months even as the country used less energy and Americans traveled less.
Ecuador to Europe: Pay us not to drill in Amazon AP (October 27, 2009) QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - Ecuador's president is in London this week to promote a unique proposal: pay his country $3 billion not to drill for oil in a pristine Amazon reserve.
Oil falls to near $80 for third day of losses AP (October 26, 2009) SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices slipped to near $80 a barrel Monday in Asia as traders looked to this week's company earnings and U.S. economic data for evidence that justifies last week's jump to a 2009 high.
Oil holds above $81 as global economy recovers AP (October 23, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices held above $81 a barrel Friday, just below a one-year high, as signs the global economic recovery is gathering pace fueled investor optimism.
Schlumberger 3Q tumbles; sees modest recovery AP (October 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Schlumberger said Friday that it expects energy demand will increase, but slowly, as countries slowly recover from a recession that slashed its third-quarter profits by 48 percent.
Oil slips below $81, retreating from 2009 high AP (October 22, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices slipped below $81 a barrel Thursday, retreating from a 2009 high, as a wobbly U.S. dollar steadied against other currencies.
Serbia seen as hub for Russian gas in Europe AP (October 22, 2009) BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia will become a major hub for distribution of Russian natural gas to Europe thanks to the storage and transport capacities of the planned South Stream pipeline, the general manager of Serbia' state energy company said Thursday.
OSU experts discuss sweet sorghum use in ethanol AP (October 22, 2009) CHICKASHA, Okla. (AP) - With demand growing for ethanol produced from sources other than corn, researchers at Oklahoma State University said Wednesday that state agriculture producers could someday grow sweet sorghum or switchgrass as cash crops.
Fla. House panel discusses offshore drilling AP (October 22, 2009) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Texas and Alabama get far less money every year from offshore drilling in their state waters than advocates say Florida can expect, the state's environmental chief told a House panel Wednesday.
Occidental's oil production jumps, profits slump AP (October 22, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Occidental Petroleum says it's producing more crude and making more money off of it in the third-quarter even though profits slumped compared with last year when oil prices were at record highs.
Oil dips on hints of a buildup in supplies AP (October 21, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices fell again Wednesday on hints that the amount of unused crude going into storage is on the rise. Retail gasoline prices, however, moved higher for the eight consecutive day.
Oil slips for second day, falls below $79 AP (October 21, 2009) SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices fell for a second day Wednesday in Asia as investors eyed a bigger-than-expected U.S. crude inventory increase and weak economic data.
Freeport-McMoRan profit jumps as miner cuts costs AP (October 21, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Freeport-McMoRan on Wednesday said quarterly earnings rose for the first time this year as the miner slashed costs, developing countries boosted stockpiles of cheap copper and investors nervous about the economy bought gold.
Allegheny Technologies 3rd-quarter profit tumbles AP (October 21, 2009) PITTSBURGH (AP) - Specialty metals producer Allegheny Technologies Inc. said Wednesday its profit was decimated in the third quarter from the same period last year due to significantly lower raw material surcharges and a drop in shipments.
Peabody profits slump; coal miner turning to China AP (October 20, 2009) ST. LOUIS (AP) - Peabody Energy Corp. said Tuesday its profits plunged 71 percent with both Europe and the U.S. using much less coal-fired power in the recession. But the performance still easily topped Wall Street's expectations as the company raised its production outlook, confident its choppy ride over the past year may be easing.
Oil briefly above $80 as earnings beat forecasts AP (October 20, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices briefly rose above $80 a barrel Tuesday as better-than-expected U.S. corporate earnings boosted investor confidence and the dollar fell against other major currencies.
Oil jumps above $79 to 2009 high before retreating AP (October 19, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices jumped above $79 a barrel to a 2009 high on Monday before falling back as investors looked to the corporate earnings of big U.S. retailers this week for signs consumers may be regaining confidence.
Weatherford International 3Q profit drops 79 pct AP (October 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Weatherford International Ltd. on Monday said weakened demand for North American drilling slashed its third-quarter profits by 79 percent, but an uptick in international revenue helped soften the blow.
Farmers try to plant hemp at DEA office, arrested AP (October 14, 2009) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A 51-year-old grandfather who grows garbanzo beans and other crops in northwestern North Dakota was among the protesters arrested for planting hemp seeds on the lawn of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration offices.
Pan American to buy Aquiline Resources AP (October 14, 2009) VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Canadian miner Pan American Silver Corp. says it has agreed to buy rival Aquiline Resources Inc. in a deal valued at about $608 million.
Dollar loses punch and crude finds momentum AP (October 14, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices on Wednesday soared to new highs for the year because of a weak dollar and the upcoming holiday shopping season that could bring more traffic to the roads.
World stocks up as tanking dollar boosts oil, gold AP (October 14, 2009) HONG KONG (AP) - Global stock markets rose Wednesday as China's economy showed more signs of recovery and oil prices touched a new high for the year above $75 a barrel.
Oil prices jump above $75 a barrel to 1-year high AP (October 14, 2009) VIENNA (AP) - Oil prices jumped above $75 a barrel Wednesday for the first time in a year on investor optimism crude demand will improve ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
Report: Oil demand peaked in 2005 for West AP (October 13, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - An international energy think tank says oil demand in developed countries likely peaked in 2005, well before the recession sent crude prices plummeting.
Gazprom strikes preliminary gas deal with China AP (October 13, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - China and Russia signed a framework agreement Tuesday that could see a steady flow of natural gas to energy-hungry China from its resource-rich neighbor.
Oil up to near $74 in Europe as dollar weakens AP (October 13, 2009) (AP) - Oil prices rose to near $74 a barrel Tuesday as the weakening dollar made commodities - which are priced in the U.S. currency - cheaper for international investors and increased their appeal as protection against inflation.
OPEC sees 2010 oil demand up almost 1 percent AP (October 13, 2009) CAIRO (AP) - A rebounding global economy spurred on mainly by China and other developing nations is expected to boost world oil demand by slightly under 1 percent next year, OPEC said Tuesday while cautioning that the pace of recovery remains far from certain.
Ky. lawmaker pushes industrial hemp farming AP (October 13, 2009) LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky lawmaker is pushing legislation to legalize industrial hemp as a cash crop and source for alternative fuels.
Oil over $73 ahead of US earnings results AP (October 12, 2009) VIENNA (AP) - Oil prices rose above $73 a barrel Monday as investors looked to a slew of U.S. corporate earnings reports this week for signs of economic recovery.
Barrick buys Xstrata assets in Chile for $465M AP (October 12, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Barrick Gold is snapping up mining assets with its excess cash, inking a $465 million cash deal to buy a gold and copper project from a unit of Xstrata.
Oil, fuel prices jump as dollar, temperatures fall AP (October 12, 2009) (AP) - Energy prices rose Monday as an October chill across much of the U.S. sent thermometers plummeting along with the weakening U.S. currency.