Macro
Search catalysts, news stories, and pressures, or browse the trust-weighted news feed below.
month values ▾
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.17 | -0.20 | -0.15 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.10 | -0.10 | +0.05 |
The January Santa Barbara blowout fouled the industry's image and spurred the coming environmental/EPA regime; otherwise domestic prices were regulated and stable, so an owner felt mild unease more than pain, with December's Ekofisk discovery hinting at future supply.
How this mood is scored ▾
A 1969 blowout at a Union Oil (Unocal) platform spilled an estimated 3 million gallons of crude off Santa Barbara, causing widespread ecological damage and triggering a national environmental backlash. The disaster led to landmark regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, and halted offshore drilling in California for decades. It reshaped environmental policy, spurred Earth Day, and serves as a cautionary precedent amid renewed debates over offshore drilling.