Poll: Will Congress lift the ban on crude oil exports?

Congress should lift the federal ban on exporting crude oil and work toward expediting natural gas exports, Texas energy regulators testified before the Texas House of Representatives on Monday.

Texas oil producers in the Eagle Ford Shale and the Permian Basin have an opportunity to help fill global demand for crude oil and natural gas, Texas Railroad Commissioners told state lawmakers.

With crude oil trading around $50 per barrel, due to the glut of domestically sourced oil from shale plays like…

Obama's tax proposal could hinder Houston business interest in Mexico

Uncertainty over U.S. tax policy on corporate income has Houston businesses caught in a holding pattern with regard to potential business operations in Mexico, thwarting otherwise vigorous interest in taking advantage of the opening reforms of Mexico’s energy sector.

“We don’t know what the tax rates are going to be — that makes it very challenging,” said Jerry Seade, principal at the Houston office of Chicago-based accounting firm BDO USA LLP.

Within President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget proposal…

Chinese group lays out early plans for big downtown Bellevue property

The head of Plus Investment USA on Monday outlined plans for a large mixed-use development in downtown Bellevue that he said will include two condominium high-rises.

Plus Investment USA CEO Kevin Corbett said the working name of the half-block project is International Plaza. It’s on the south side of Northeast Eighth Street, between 108th and 110th avenues, with Bellevue First Congregational Church occupying the west part of the property.

“Current massing contemplates several mixed-use towers [with]…

Houston exploration and production company files Chapter 11

Houston-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company BPZ Resources Inc. (OTC: BPZR) has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

The company announced that it filed due to the economic downturn and inability to pay back debt maturity and interest payments. None of the company’s subsidiaries have filed under Chapter 11.

Got Energy? Sign up for our Energy Inc. newsletter here

BPZ owed…

Houston retailer to relocate HQ to West Houston

Houston-based custom salad restaurant Salata is relocating from downtown Houston to a 26,000-square-foot facility in West Houston.

The new facility, which sits on two acres at 16720 Park Row, will be completed this summer. The build-out began in January.

Start your day with Houston Business Journal news in your inbox. Sign up for Morning Edition here.

The new headquarters will also feature a 2,500-square-foot street-level restaurant that will serve as the company’s test kitchen and is open…