U.S. States Consider Gas and Oil Levies

Cash strapped states are considering raising taxes on oil production to plug yawning budget gaps, but they face strong resistance from oil companies, which warn the moves could lead to lost jobs and higher energy prices. Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and California have proposed what are known as severance taxes on oil and natural gas produced in their states. A tax increase took effect in Arkansas at the beginning of the year, and Alaska last year raised its oil production tax.....Complete Story

Crude Oil Industry Headline News

"Smart Money Moves Back into Energy, But Carefully"
A pair of deals by Oklahoma billionaire George B. Kaiser, widely considered one of the country's savviest energy investors, could be an early sign that after a massive selloff, the smart money is getting back into the oil industry....Complete Story

"Crude Hits One-Month Highs on Gas Spat Jitters"
Crude oil futures climbed more than $2 to above the psychologically important $50 a barrel Tuesday, spurred by concerns that a reduction in Russian natural gas flows to Europe could spark an increased demand for oil....Complete Story

"Chesapeake Energy Defies Skeptics"
Chesapeake capped a busy 2008 with the $412 million sale of natural-gas production in Oklahoma and Arkansas, proving to skeptics that the company knows how to get a deal done. Total value of Cheasapeake's deals for 2008 is roughly $12 billion....Complete Story

"OPEC Cuts Biting Into Oil Cos' Output Growth Areas"
Oil majors that derive a large part of their income from production in member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are finding the cartel's production cuts are....Complete Story