The oil industry is gearing up for a postelection lobbying push to loosen the four-decade U.S. ban on exports of crude oil, saying that relaxing the prohibition would create jobs and stimulate the economy. But oil producers face several challenges in the effort, even if Republicans—frequent allies of the industry—win control of the Senate in this fall’s elections. While some GOP lawmakers favor lifting the ban, many others are signaling that they would resist the idea, particularly as voters remain concerned about its impact on gasoline prices. At least 10 companies—including Marathon Oil Corp. , ConocoPhillips , Hess Corp. , Continental Resources Inc. and Pioneer Natural Resources Co. —are starting an organized effort to lobby for lifting the ban. Companies that operate oil refineries present additional opposition. Refiners typically align with oil producers on policy matters, but on this issue have parted ways as their bottom lines benefit from […]