The world's top oil companies

Petroleum Intelligence Weekly just released its annual ranking of the world's top oil companies, based on criteria such as reserves, refining capacity and sales. Several interesting findings emerge:

• Four of the top five top oil companies are now state-owned: Saudi Aramco, Iran's NIOC, Venezuela's PDV, and China's CNPC
• Saudi Aramco remains No.1, and China's CNPC has surpassed BP and Shell
• Russia's Rosneft makes the biggest jump, from 24th to 16th
• Majority state-owned national companies now make up 27 of 50
• Three new firms moved into the top 50: Uzbekneftegas, China's CNOOC, and Kazmunaigas of Kazakhstan - all majority state-owned

Noteworthy….

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Repairing the Past: Compensation for Victims of Human Rights Violations (Introductory chapter from Pablo de Grieff's recent book, The Handbook of Reparations)

Gates on foreign aid, education (from the WSJ)

How does geographic distance affect credit market access in Niger? (World Bank Policy Research Working Paper)