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News Highlights: Top Energy Stories Of The Day


DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. 7:08 AM ET 12/19/14
TOP STORIES

Oil's Drop Hits Big Investors Hard

The recent slide in oil prices has caused sharp losses among some of Wall Street's biggest names, the latest in a series of bad bets made by star investors during 2014.

Oil Prices Rise in Europe

Oil prices rose after a volatile week that saw the commodity whipsaw between gains and losses.

White House for Vetting Projects' Impact on Climate

The White House is calling on federal agencies to consider the climate-change impact of a wide range of energy projects that require government approval.

St. Croix Refinery Revival Awaits Tax Vote

A team of energy executives have bid to buy the St. Croix refinery, once the world's largest. But they need the refinery's special tax treatment extended, a deal that must be approved by the Virgin Islands Senate. And the senators, who are slated to vote Friday, say they have some doubts.

BASF, Gazprom Call Off Asset Swap

Germany's BASF, the world's largest chemical company by revenue, and Russia's Gazprom have called off an asset-swap deal amid mounting political tensions between Russia and the West, BASF said.

Hollande Says Talks With Russia and Ukraine to Continue

France and Germany will continue talks in the coming days with Russia and Ukraine, French President François Hollande said, as a lull in fighting in eastern Ukraine has raised hopes that a more lasting peace is at hand.

Gulf Oil Ministers Defend OPEC Output Stance

Oil ministers from the Gulf states defended OPEC's recent decision not to cut output despite a near-halving in oil prices since the summer, saying it was impossible for the oil-producer group to alone push up prices.

BYD Says Berkshire Hathaway Has No Intention to Cut Stake

Chinese electric-car maker BYD, which is backed by investor Warren Buffett, Friday said Mr. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has no present intention to cut its stake in the company.

Brazil Congressional Panel Ends Petrobras Inquiry

An eight-month inquiry into alleged malfeasance at Brazilian state-oil company Petroleo Brasileiro by a special committee in Brazil'sCongress ended with recommendations that prosecutors indict 52 individuals.

Norway Central Bank to Decide Oil Fund Exclusions

Norway's government said that from Jan. 1 the central bank will take over deciding which companies to exclude from the portfolio of the country's sovereign-wealth fund and that it would no longer have the final word.

Fitch Downgrades Venezuela on Falling Oil Prices

Fitch Ratings cut Venezuela's rating further into junk territory, to triple-C from B, saying that falling oil prices are pressuring the country's already-troubled finances.

Nigeria's Central Bank Restricts Currency Trading

Nigeria's central bank has unleashed new foreign-exchange controls to stop its currency from falling beyond a record low, as tumbling crude prices help spur a wave of strikes crippling Africa's top economy.


(END) Dow Jones Newswires
12-19-140708ET
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