Oil Prices At Historic High

[rwieder 0]

Oil Prices At Historic High

Higher lift tickets? Higher gas prices? Recession? I can only presume all will increase shortly. As most of you know, i've been in the petroleum industry for almost 30 years, and i just thought the $40.00 a bbl of oil mark in the 70's was something else, this is crazy. I know a lot of you are probably angry about the "Oil Shortage" situation, but it could get worse and turn into a modern day arab oil embargo, then what? It's never quite as bad as it seems. The petroleum industry is at historic highs in all phases of drilling, exploration, production and refineries can't keep up with demand. The petroleum industry creates and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs for american families throughout the world and all of them are enjoying record high wages, i remember the lows, it was ugly. My old man used to always say "If a hamburger cost $10.00, and you've got a good paying job, it doesn't matter. But if a hamburger costs $10.00 and your not working, it's not a good day" We'll have to take a "Wait & See" attitude on this one. I predict it will get worse before it gets better. "Hang On!" If the "Green Peace Clowns" and environmental gurus would lay off, we could be energy independent, but not everyone wants an oil rig in their front yard either i guess?

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[Jimbo 0]

I'll go digging for the link later, but I just read a story quoteing one of the Saudi big-wigs as saying that they were going to increase production by 1/2 million barrels per day and also that they weren't yet at full capacity.

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Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[kallend 2,106]

I drive into Chicago every day in a small car. I'd prefer to take a train but there isn't one from where I live. About 2/3 of the vehicles on the freeway are SUVs or vans with (generally) one occupant.

Until WE stop pissing away oil, why should we expect Saudi or anyone else to be particularly sensitive to our concerns?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[skydyvr 0]

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Until WE stop pissing away oil, why should we expect Saudi or anyone else to be particularly sensitive to our concerns?

Amen. I believe the fed should impose some form of huge luxury tax on SUVs to discourage their use. Raise taxes on gasoline as well, to discourage wasting it.

I don't understand why people think they have the "right" to piss away their grandchildren's oil.

. . =(_8^(1)

[FallRate 0]

I have to agree. It is a bit twisted that someone would make use of an SUV which burns so much more fuel than other vehicles.

But, then again, at least they are going somewhere. What about the individuals who take rides in SUV's for the sole purpose of recreation, just ending up where they started? Damned selfish, if you ask me!

FallRate

[skydyvr 0]

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I have to agree. It is a bit twisted that someone would make use of an SUV which burns so much more fuel than other vehicles.

But, then again, at least they are going somewhere. What about the individuals who take rides in SUV's for the sole purpose of recreation, just ending up where they started? Damned selfish, if you ask me!

LOL, point made but you are a bit off the mark.

Show the world a more efficient way to reach altitude and you'll be a big help. Meanwhile, I can show you many more efficient (and no less comfortable) ways to reach the grocery store or work than an SUV.

. . =(_8^(1)

[trimbandit 0]

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Amen. I believe the fed should impose some form of huge luxury tax on SUVs to discourage their use. Raise taxes on gasoline as well, to discourage wasting it.

Sounds a bit unfair to me...
If you were going to do something like this, wouldn't a sliding scale luxury tax for ALL vehicles based on MPG make more sense?
e.g. 50mpg and above -> pay nothing
30mpg -> pay 30%
20mpg -> pay 70%
under 15% -> pay 100%

Or do you just have a thing against SUVs?

[skydyvr 0]

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Sounds a bit unfair to me...
If you were going to do something like this, wouldn't a sliding scale luxury tax for ALL vehicles based on MPG make more sense?
e.g. 50mpg and above -> pay nothing
30mpg -> pay 30%
20mpg -> pay 70%
under 15% -> pay 100%

Or do you just have a thing against SUVs?

Nothing special about SUVs, I'm just against wasting gas.

SUVs are just the most notable example of that waste. However, I'm up for anything, including a sliding MPG method, that would change people's minds about the vehicles they choose to drive.

. . =(_8^(1)

[ViperPilot 0]

It doesn't matter a whole lot what OPEC/Saudi does. We only get around 20% of our oil from them anyways. What we need is more self-sufficiency in the energy dept. If we just had more of our own oil sources, it would help a lot. However, I don't think it's fair to bash people who drive SUVs. I mean based on that argument, every single one of us contributes to "wasting" our "grandchildren's" oil because we feel the need to have some fun jumping out of airplanes. Driving an economic car is a great help and a good thing to do, but it doesn't make you a "non-waster" of oil.

[Skolls081102 0]

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Sounds a bit unfair to me...
If you were going to do something like this, wouldn't a sliding scale luxury tax for ALL vehicles based on MPG make more sense?
e.g. 50mpg and above -> pay nothing
30mpg -> pay 30%
20mpg -> pay 70%
under 15% -> pay 100%

Or do you just have a thing against SUVs?

Nothing special about SUVs, I'm just against wasting gas.

SUVs are just the most notable example of that waste. However, I'm up for anything, including a sliding MPG method, that would change people's minds about the vehicles they choose to drive.

Not neccasarily- I drive an SUV (2003 Dodge Durango)..why??? Because I feel safe in it. And let's not go dragging out statistics on rollover rates. I don't feel comfortable in a small car- I'm a big guy, and unless I'm driving a big V8 Cadi, I don't fit into smalll, gas conservative cars.
And to be honest with you- while I'm tooling along on the highway, I get passed (or should I say, zipped past) buy little cars. A little car doing 85-90 is not getting that great fuel economy that it should. So should we tax the assholes going over 75 in little fuel efficient cars? That sounds like an even trade to me.

The sole intention, is learning to fly.Condition grounded, but determined to try.Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies.Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit.

[jumpinfarmer 0]

Well said.

I take issue with all the people here who like to bash the SUV, and truck drivers. Some of us drive them because we need to and can't afford to have a little gas sipping car for going on trips.

It's easy for those who live in the city or suburbia that can walk to the store or ride a bike to work to accuse some of us about wasting fuel. I personally don't feel that I should be villainised because I drive a truck and put around a thousand miles a month on it.

[skydyvr 0]

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I don't fit into smalll, gas conservative cars

The Toyata Prius (pronounced "Prees") gets about 45 MPG on average, but is considered a "mid-sized" car. Plenty of room for big dudes like you. Quick off the line too. Great safety ratings.

. . =(_8^(1)

[ViperPilot 0]

But what about the person who needs a truck/SUV for towing capacity, cargo space, useful load, etc? Those people do exist...and there's a lot of them. Not that the Prius isn't a great car for some people, but cars just won't cut it for a lot of people.

[skydyvr 0]

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But what about the person who needs a truck/SUV for towing capacity, cargo space, useful load, etc?

Then just pay the extra tax.

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[billvon 3,063]

>But what about the person who needs a truck/SUV for towing
>capacity, cargo space, useful load, etc? Those people do exist...

No problem there. No one's talking about doing away with SUV's or trucks. The people who are really the problem are the people driving their Ford Excursion 70 miles to and from work every day by themselves, not the people taking four kids to school or the people catering parties of 40. Heck, a family of 6 driving their SUV to school is getting better gas mileage (on a miles per gallon per person basis) than one guy driving a Prius to work. CAFE requirements and gas taxes are the best way to drive that, rather than restrictions on car types or special taxes. (IMO of course.)

[rwieder 0]

Only about 50% of our oil is refined into gasoline & diesel fuel. oil is used to make at least 500,000 more products every day. As far as people driving SUV's, so what. We are "America" land of the free, home of the brave right?? What about our drilling machinery? It runs off of diesel fuel, so should we completely revamp our drilling units into another fuel source? That would set our industry back at least 10 years, plus it would costs too much and the drilling contractors wouldn't go for it, it's not feasable. For those of you that are beating up on SUV owners, get over it.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[JoeyRamone 0]

it is not a good situation, it will get worse before it gets better but i would rather pay a little more then have all the money and can not pay any amount...

[Jimbo 0]

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The Toyata Prius (pronounced "Prees") gets about 45 MPG on average, but is considered a "mid-sized" car. Plenty of room for big dudes like you.

Uh, OK.

On the other hand, the Toyata Prius isn't cost efficient. There's a heck of a premium to buy hybrid cars right now. Should someone spend the extra money on a car, or spend the extra money on food for their family?

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[skydyvr 0]

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On the other hand, the Toyata Prius isn't cost efficient. There's a heck of a premium to buy hybrid cars right now. Should someone spend the extra money on a car, or spend the extra money on food for their family?

Look at the bigger picture -- the price premium on those cars exists because demand is larger than supply, which means the automakers are being driven to produce more, which will in turn lead to competitive pricing down the road.

So I know there's a temporary lack of financial incentive to buy a hybrid right now -- the gas savings alone will take many years to catch up with the inflated sticker price.

But driving one now does make a slight contribution to cleaner air and less gas consumption, so only people who are motivated by that should buy one.

. . =(_8^(1)

[Jimbo 0]

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Look at the bigger picture -- the price premium on those cars exists because demand is larger than supply

That may be the case for the Toyata Prius, but I think that's where it ends. The price premium on probably every other hybrid vehicle is due to the added technology - batteries, new electronics and control systems, electric motors, etc . . . .

One day, when hybrid costs are more reasonable or gasoline prices have gone completely through the roof to the point of being absolutely unreasonable, these cars will catch on. Today, however, those buying a hybrid to keep costs under control are kidding themselves; they're spending more money upfront as a tradeoff for the ongoing expense of gasoline, and right now that's more money up front than they'll likely save on gas over the life of the car. I'd wager that most people buying hybrids today are doing it to make a statement and while there's certainly nothing wrong with that it simply doesn't make financial sense for the majority of us.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[skydyvr 0]

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One day, when hybrid costs are more reasonable or gasoline prices have gone completely through the roof to the point of being absolutely unreasonable, these cars will catch on.

I agree, economics is driving civilization towards less oil waste. Let's raise gasoline taxes to help it along.

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I'd wager that most people buying hybrids today are doing it to make a statement and while there's certainly nothing wrong with that it simply doesn't make financial sense for the majority of us.

I don't know what drives "most" people into buying a hybrid these days, but I can assure you there are reasons beyond personal finances or to "make a statement".

. . =(_8^(1)

[Jimbo 0]

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I agree, economics is driving civilization towards less oil waste. Let's raise gasoline taxes to help it along.

Let's not and say we did. Because gasoline is already taxed, those who use more pay more. What's the problem with that?

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I don't know what drives "most" people into buying a hybrid these days, but I can assure you there are reasons beyond personal finances or to "make a statement".

I already mentioned that personal finances are a poor reason to go hybrid, so I sure that's not a reason that people are making the move!

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[billvon 3,063]

>Should someone spend the extra money on a car, or spend the
> extra money on food for their family?

Spend the money on the car! Spending less money on food will result in healthier kids that live longer. Obesity is a big killer in the US, and the number of obese kids is going up exponentially. Besides, a Prius is still cheaper than an Expedition.

Or just get a regular Honda Civic. They still get great gas mileage and are really cheap And if we increase CAFE requirements they will get even cheaper!

[marcandalysse 0]

what's the worry? once Iraq is a functioning peaceful democracy, they will be so happy with our efforts that we will get a pipeline direct from them for all our needs! By the time that runs out, we will all be extinct anyway.....

yes, oil gives us lots of other products too.
SUVs are only a symptom, attacking them or our twin otters overlooks the real issue....the way we americans waste so much of our resources.

In Florida they've been bouncing back and forth the idea of bullet trains. In Japan, bullet trains work, because every station it stops at has many local trains to get the rest of the way to destinations. If I take a train to downtown tampa, I am stuck there without a car. My Solution: Bullet Train Car Ferries!
Just as I would drive my car onto a ferry boat to travel from seattle to vancouver (and read a book or enjoy the view in the bar on the trip)....why couldn't we drive our cars onto the train (like containers do), and sit back and enjoy the trip. Then once we get to the closest stop, we have our cars to get the rest of the way.

Sure beats trying to drive I-4 from Tampa to Orlando!!

Just my 2cents to help save our oil!!!

marc

[billvon 3,063]

>Only about 50% of our oil is refined into gasoline & diesel fuel.
>oil is used to make at least 500,000 more products every day.

Agreed. Part of the reason is that all that stuff is available essentially for free, since we're using the more volatile fractions for fuel. There are plenty of alternatives (like concrete instead of asphalt, or methane instead of LPG/diesel) available.

>As far as people driving SUV's, so what. We are "America" land of
>the free, home of the brave right??

Right, but being free to do something does not mean you should. It's a bad idea to smoke heavily or drink yourself to death even if it's legal. Similarly, it's a bad idea to waste a lot of fuel to move yourself 30 miles to and from work. You are still 100% free to do it, but if people make better decisions than that, then America will be better off in the long run. If that's important to you, then it's worth doing.

>What about our drilling machinery? It runs off of diesel fuel, so
> should we completely revamp our drilling units into another fuel
> source? That would set our industry back at least 10 years, plus it
>would costs too much and the drilling contractors wouldn't go for it,

People have been saying that for 100 years. "Emissions laws will destroy the car industry." Yet they brought about the development of fuel injected engines, catalytic converters, and computer engine controls - and today cars are cheaper (on an adjusted basis) and more widely owned than ever before. "Requiring clean oxygenates in fuel will ruin the industry!" But smart farmers are making a lot of money by making ethanol as an additive.

>it's not feasable.

I can remember when people said that about computer engine controls, and fly by wire, and hybrids.

>For those of you that are beating up on SUV owners, get over it.

There's nothing wrong with SUV's. I rented one this weekend for a boogie in Alaska; we were going off-road on occasion and we had to haul 4-5 people around. That's what they are designed for. The only people I have a problem with are the people who buy them to haul themselves to and from work over 30 miles of freeway. There are much better ways to do that, and much better uses for that fuel.