Ryan Dezember

2 weeks ago | wsj.com | Ryan Dezember

Oil prices rose 4.9% on Wednesday after a government report showed that domestic crude inventories were lower than expected and prospects dimmed for a nuclear deal with Iran that prompted a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Benchmark U.S. oil futures added $3.17 a barrel to end at $68.15, the biggest daily gain since early October. Oil prices have risen six of the past eight trading sessions and are now up 19% from the low in May.

2 weeks ago | wsj.com | Ryan Dezember

Federal energy forecasters slashed their outlook for ethane exports and production for this year and next after the Trump administration restricted exports of the plastic-making ingredient to China. President Trump has given Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his team of negotiators leeway to lift export controls on ethane, software and jet engines and related components in trade talks with China, which has blocked rare-earth shipments to U.S. industries.

2 weeks ago | wsj.com | Nancy Youssef |Ryan Dezember

The U.S. is moving to draw down its presence in parts of the Middle East to essential personnel, the State Department and Pentagon said Wednesday, as tensions in the region rise, sending oil prices higher. The State Department said that it ordered the departure of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and authorized the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait.

2 weeks ago | wsj.com | Ryan Dezember

Forecasts for a hotter-than-normal summer and more expensive natural gas mean pricier powerAmericans can expect to pay more to stay cool this summer thanks to forecasts for above-average temperatures across the country and natural-gas prices that are heading into air-conditioning season 37% higher than last year.

3 weeks ago | wsj.com | Ryan Dezember

Fuel shipper Enterprise Products Partners said the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security intends to deny its request to send three boatloads of ethane to China from its terminal on the Houston Ship Channel, an escalation of trade tensions between the world’s largest economies. Ethane and propane—important ingredients in making plastic—have become major U.S. exports in recent years, flowing from oil wells in West Texas and Appalachian gas fields alike.