Honestly, I never know what to believe when I read these articles. A good friend of mine was on the board of a major oil company - and he told me stories about the backroom deals involving huge investments. Huge projects were really pay-offs to one country which would in-turn take actions impacting another country and resulting in furthering the oil company's goals (which weren't always just direct profit. Politicians put in power - groups hurt or supported - payback for favors from years before - actions to influence major court decisions years in the future.) Oil companies act in completely opaque ways.

At this point, I'm really just convinced that we need public involvement with all decisions by all powerful organizations - whether government or business. Nobody is on our side at these places.