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Oil And Gas

Business Politics

Waves of Abandonment

The Permian Basin is ground zero for a billion-dollar surge of zombie oil wells.

Clayton Aldern, Christopher Collins, Naveena Sadasivam Grist, Texas Observer Apr 2021 25min Permalink

Science World

A Thin Green Line With Global Impact

During a decade when Cascadia’s governments flouted their carbon emissions goals, activists fighting fossil fuel exports exceeded their wildest expectations.

Robert McClure Investigate West Jan 2021 15min Permalink

Business Politics

After Climate-Protection Drift and Despair, A Blueprint for Success Emerges in Cascadia

Washington state’s redoubled climate goals and fresh action plan revive hope to cut emissions. But ongoing fossil fuel development in BC could undercut Cascadia’s progress.

Peter Fairley Investigate West Jan 2021 15min Permalink

Business

How the Most Hyped U.S. Oil Merger in a Decade Went Bust

As CEO of Occidental Petroleum, Vicki Hollub made the biggest deal the oil business had seen in years. Will it also go down as the biggest failure?

Mimi Swartz Texas Monthly Jan 2021 35min Permalink

Business

The Essex Boys: How Nine Traders Hit a Gusher With Negative Oil

Over the course of a few hours on April 20, a guy called Cuddles and eight of his pals from the freewheeling world of London’s commodities markets rode oil’s crash to a $660 million profit.

Liam Vaughan, Kit Chellel, Benjamin Bain Bloomberg Businessweek Dec 2020 20min Permalink

Travel

In Ashgabat

A work trip to Turkmenistan.

James Lomax London Review of Books Jul 2020 15min Permalink

Business Science

Shell Is Looking Forward

The fossil-fuel companies expect to profit from climate change. I went to a private planning meeting and took notes.

Malcolm Harris New York Mar 2020 30min Permalink

Business Science

America’s Radioactive Secret

Oil-and-gas wells produce nearly a trillion gallons of toxic waste a year. An investigation shows how it could be making workers sick and contaminating communities across America.

Justin Nobel Rolling Stone Jan 2020 35min Permalink

Media

Losing the News

The Charleston Gazette-Mail, known for its dogged accountability journalism, survived a merger and bankruptcy. Will it survive a new owner with ties to the very industries its reporters have been watchdogging?

Brent Cunningham Pacific Standard Jul 2019 25min Permalink

Business

The Price of Oil

The Permian Basin is booming with oil. But at what cost to West Texans? Though some will reap serious profits, the region’s dealing with skyrocketing rents, overcrowded schools, and potholes as big as VW Beetles.

Christian Wallace Texas Monthly Jun 2019 25min Permalink

Best Article Crime World

Blood and Oil

Mexico’s drug cartels are moving into the gasoline industry—infiltrating the national oil company, selling stolen fuel on the black market and engaging in open war with the military.

Seth Harp Rolling Stone Sep 2018 30min Permalink

The Weird, Dangerous, Isolated Life of the Saturation Diver

One of the world’s most hazardous jobs is known for its intense pressure.

Jen Banbury Atlas Obscura May 2018 20min Permalink

Politics

The Massive Land Deal That Could Change the West Forever

In Utah, an unlikely leader is looking to end the state’s land-use wars.

Christopher Solomon Outside Feb 2016 30min Permalink