11.   At the same time, the higher crude prices drove down airline issues, as investors worried that carriers will be forced to pay more for jet fuel.

12.   Before gas prices started their rise last year, drivers reaped the benefits of both low crude prices and slim margins for refiners.

13.   Bondholders have been pleased all year as rising crude prices helped insure that oil-exportingcountries that issue high-risk bonds would meet their interest payments.

14.   A drop in crude prices from unusually high levels reached earlier in the year also will boost profits in the second quarter, Tosco said.

15.   A marketing campaign boosted gasoline sales and lower crude prices reduced operating expenses, the company said.

16.   A slump in refinery operations, combined with lackluster heating oil demand this winter, drove crude prices to a seven-month low Monday.

17.   Adding to optimism that crude prices will stay strong, OPEC concluded the first day of its formal winter conference in Vienna today.

18.   After shipments from Mexico, the North Sea and Russia were reduced, refiners were left chasing fewer barrels, causing crude prices to rise.

19.   Brisk refiner demand for crude and lean inventories helped boost crude prices, traders said.

20.   But energy producers say that a trend of several months in lower crude prices is needed before another round of retail price declines will be likely.