The facts that Bailey21 quotes are correct as far as they go. If one reads the rest of the Businessweek article, we have both given you the link, you'll see that Big Oil is being given a ton of federal tax breaks and considerations. Alll thanks to the Republican controlled Congress at the time, 2005. So yes, to answer your question, protecting the profits of Big Oil is a clearly favorite Republican past time.
Exxon: Profit Pirate or Tax Victim?