Big Oil's Q3 lobbying numbers

The big picture: BP reported a slight increase, showing $1.26 million in Q3, up from $1.18 million in Q2. Others show drops ...

• Chevron reported $2.25 million in Q3 lobbying, a dip from $2.38 million in Q2.
• ExxonMobil listed $1.94 million in Q3 lobbying, down from $2.45 million in Q2.
• Shell disclosed $1.68 million, compared to $1.96 million in the prior period.
• The powerful American Petroleum Institute, which represents companies of all sizes, posting $1.6 million in Q3 lobbying, down from $2.05 million in Q2.

But, but, but: It's real money! But lobbying ebbs and flows depending on what's happening in Congress and agencies, and it's well below levels from a decade ago.

• For instance, Exxon reported $7.16 million in lobbying in Q3 of 2009.