Crude oil prices should bounce back once global markets regain confidence after last week's startling downgrade of the United States' credit rating, the oil minister of OPEC-member Kuwait said on Sunday.

US light crude dived to a low of $82.87 a barrel, its lowest level since November 2010, after the world's largest economy lost its top-notch AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's on Friday, before better-than-expected US jobs growth data drove a modest recovery to $86.88. Read more »

Crude prices showed a smart pullback on Wednesday August 10, 2011 and rose over 4 percent in the day supported by sharp pullback in the equities market and after a government report showed oil inventories fell last week. US crude stocks fell 5.2 million barrels last week, the US Energy Information Administration's said in its weekly inventory report. Distillate stocks fell 700,000 barrels and gasoline stockpiles fell 1.6 million barrels. Read more »

Every day across America, mineral owners are contacted with oil leasing or gas leasing proposals regarding their oil and gas mineral interests. Unfortunately many of them don’t do their homework and miss available opportunities. However, those willing to do a little homework can maximize the benefits from their mineral ownership by employing these tips.

Determine if There are Other Family Members Who Have Been Contacted Read more »

The seventh air monitor in North Texas' Barnett Shale went on line this week in the Everman area in south Tarrant County to provide "information about local air quality 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said.

The commission said it's also evaluating Barnett Shale sites for more monitors.

State Sen. Wendy Davis and state Rep. Marc Veasey, both D-Fort Worth, praised the installation of the monitor. Read more »