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Oil spills increase in Venezuela as it revs up output after the U.S. lifted sanctions

A work brigade sponsored by Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA, which critics blame for the oil spills, use shovels and rakes to remove congealed petroleum from a Lake Maracaibo beach. John Otis for NPR hide caption

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John Otis for NPR

The Americas

Oil spills increase in Venezuela as it revs up output after the U.S. lifted sanctions

After the U.S. lifted its sanctions, Venezuela is trying to revive its beleaguered oil industry. But ramping up production is causing more oil spills.

Oil spills increase in Venezuela as it revs up output after the U.S. lifted sanctions

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The Keystone pipeline leaked in Kansas. What makes this spill so bad?

In this photo taken by a drone on Dec. 9, cleanup continues in the area where the ruptured Keystone pipeline dumped oil into a creek in Washington County, Kan. DroneBase via AP hide caption

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DroneBase via AP

Climate

The Keystone pipeline leaked in Kansas. What makes this spill so bad?

The cause for the spill is still unclear. What's known is the type of oil that was piped: tar sands oil, also called diluted bitumen. It's a lot harder to clean up than conventional oil.

He started protesting about his middle school principal. Now he's taking on Big Oil

Chima Williams, an attorney in Nigeria, is one of the winners of this year's Goldman Environmental Prize. He sued Shell over oil spills in his country. Speaking of his activism, Williams notes: "There is power in what you believe and how you go about it uncompromisingly." KC Nwakalor for NPR hide caption

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KC Nwakalor for NPR

Goats and Soda

He started protesting about his middle school principal. Now he's taking on Big Oil

This year, Chima Williams of Nigeria was a winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize for his activism, targeting Shell for an oil spill in his homeland. Here's how the case went.

He started protesting about his middle school principal. Now he's taking on Big Oil

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The Tonga volcano caused an oil spill on Peru's coast. Fishermen are protesting

Oil pollutes Cavero beach in Ventanilla, Callao, Peru, on Tuesday after high waves attributed to the eruption of an undersea volcano in Tonga caused an oil spill. Martin Mejia/AP hide caption

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Martin Mejia/AP

Environment

The Tonga volcano caused an oil spill on Peru's coast. Fishermen are protesting

Because of waves from Saturday's eruption, an estimated 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled near Peru's main refinery on the coast in an area rich in marine biodiversity.

Trump Administration Moves To Roll Back Offshore Drilling Safety Regulations

The area of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig is seen here in July 2010, shortly before the Macondo well was capped after spilling oil for 87 days. The Trump administration has proposed revisions to Obama-era rules that aimed to prevent similar disasters. Dave Martin/Associated Press hide caption

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Dave Martin/Associated Press

Politics

Trump Administration Moves To Roll Back Offshore Drilling Safety Regulations

The Interior secretary touted the revised rules as eliminating "unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining safety." But environmental groups said the move demonstrates oil industry influence.

Northwest Oil Terminal Plan Would Mean Jobs — And More Oil Trains

Proponents of the terminal plan say it would bring economic development to the Vancouver area, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore. Conrad Wilson/OPB News hide caption

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Conrad Wilson/OPB News

National

Northwest Oil Terminal Plan Would Mean Jobs — And More Oil Trains

OPB

Oil companies hope to build the nation's largest oil-by-rail terminal on the Columbia River in Washington. Proponents say it will bring economic growth, but others fear it could mean fiery accidents.

Northwest Oil Terminal Plan Would Mean Jobs — And More Oil Trains

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North Dakota's Delay In Reporting Oil Spill Raises Questions

Cleanup went on Friday at the site of an oil pipeline leak and spill north of Tioga, N.D. Officials took nearly two weeks to tell the public about the break in a Tesoro Corp. pipeline. Kevin Cederstrom/AP hide caption

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Kevin Cederstrom/AP

The Two-Way

North Dakota's Delay In Reporting Oil Spill Raises Questions

A North Dakota agency waited more than a week to tell the public about a pipeline spill of more than 20,000 barrels of crude oil. A wheat farmer was the first to recognize the spill had happened.

Oil Drilling Rig Runs Aground In Gulf Of Alaska

Waves crash over the Kulluk oil rig, which washed aground on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska. Officials say aircraft have not spotted any signs of a fuel leak from the rig, which reportedly does not contain crude oil. PA3 Jon Klingenberg/Coast Guard hide caption

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PA3 Jon Klingenberg/Coast Guard

The Two-Way

Oil Drilling Rig Runs Aground In Gulf Of Alaska

A Shell oil drilling rig holding more than 150,000 gallons of diesel, oil, and hydraulic fluid has run aground near Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, after breaking away while being towed during a storm. The crew was evacuated before the rig was incapacitated.

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