Oil industry sees thaw in White House relationship

The head of the American Petroleum Institute on Wednesday signaled a thaw in relations between major oil companies and the Obama administration, telling reporters that the White House has started more constructive talks with the lobby on energy development.

"We have noticed a marked change in our dialogue, perhaps just over the last three or four months," API President Jack Gerard told reporters. "We have opened a dialogue that is constructive and we give credit where it is due: the president and his people are having a more open dialogue with us."