Crude oil has increased 25% in the first quarter of 2008. The news media claims that this is due to the dramatic consumption of energy by China and India. The news also claims that there has been a reduction in the supply of oil from both Iraq and Nigeria.
Supply and Demand Only Accounts for Part of the Price Increase:
The news reports are accurate but misleading. A small percentage of the increase is due to China and India. On a global level the data indicates the exact opposite: that the consumption of oil is down, and the supply is up. In the fourth quarter of 2007, consumption of crude oil declined from 87 to 86 million barrels per day. Within the same period, the supply of crude oil increased from 85 to 87 million barrels. According to leading economists, when supply increases, and/or demand declines for a product or commodity, then the price will drop.
But this is not what happened. During this period, crude oil prices sharply increase.
Commodity Trading is Causing the Sharp Rise in Oil Prices:
How does commodities trading affect oil prices? Partly this is due to the volatility in Venezuela and Nigeria. But primarily it is due to large amounts of investment money into the commodities market from other markets like real estate and the stock markets.
The declining dollar is also a contributing factor. OPEC raises the price of crude oil to compensate for the dollar's decling value. And as the stock market and real estate continue their decline, money is moved from those markets to the oil and gold futures markets. And as a result of traders pushing oil and gold prices higher, a potential bubble is forming.
What is the Future Outlook?
Oil prices will continue to rise until the commodities market for crude oil drops. When this will occur is uncertain. And to what level the prices for crude will drop is also uncertain.
How can we fight back? Current technology provides an answer to high gasoline prices; technology that will reduce gas consumption by significantly increasing the mpg of your vehicle.
The Battle Against High Gas Prices Begins Here:
The auto manufacturers are planning to release high mileage vehicles in the next few years. But there is no need to wait or pay the high costs. With current technology that is inexpensive, we can reduce our consumption of gas by dramatically increasing gas mileage without any expensive modifications to the engine.
The technology available today is electrolysis. Electrolysis is the process of converting water to a combustible gas called oxyhydrogen (HHO). This gas has 3x the BTUs of gasoline, which means it's an excellent energy source.
The system is completely safe. Oxyhydrogen is generated on-demand and fed to the engine as needed. Unlike the Hydrogen Fuel Cell car, oxyhydrogen is not stored in a fuel cell.
As a bonus, when oxyhydrogen burns in the engine's cylinders, it is converted back to water. This means reduced polution at the tail pipe and a reduction in carbon build-up in the cylinders.
Based on your driving habits and your vehicle, the increase in gas mileage will vary. Many have claimed an increase in mileage of over 50%, which results in saving thousands of dollars annually.
This system works along the same principal as the Hybrid car. By capturing wasted energy and then recylcing it as needed, dramatic improvements in gas mileage can be realized. Wasted energy occurs whenever the engine is running and the car is at a standstill, or when coasting along the highway.
Effect Of Oil Prices
Countries like the US and UK have become net importers of oil. Used for heating, refined into gasoline and cracked into industrial chemicals, oil is vital for modern existence and powers growth.
Our present demand for oil keep increasing. On top of this, the demand for oil from newly industrialized countries is shooting oil prices ever upwards!
China, India, Brazil, and several other emerging consumer economies are soaking up their own oil production along with many other resources and are willing to pay over the odds for regular outside supply and favourable trade deals.
Yet resource quantity of pumpable oil remains the same. No huge new oil fields ready to supply cheap easily available oil have come online. In fact it appears most present oil producers have exaggerated their reserves so output has PEAKED, or may fall. All the major oil fields are in decline. This can only keep prices high!
The days of oil at $20 a barrel again have gone forever. Nations have shown they can easily cope with oil at $60 a barrel. But will they have even that option in future?
There are powerful, unstoppable new forces acting in the biggest oil producing regions. And the trend looks unpromising (to say the least) for oil or oil company investors there.
Militant factions mainly based in in Iran and Syria wish to encourage war and instability, pushing oil prices up and gains them political power in the region, plus a greater influence in world affairs.
Overall the likelihood is an integrated, anti-Western Middle East having control of the major part of the worlds current oil supply,and ability to dictate both availability and price per barrel, particularly towards any weakening Western economies.
Any serious long term restriction in oil supplies would probably send oil prices skyrocketting above $120 a barrel, and push most Western economies into recession.
The weakening dollar and the tendency of even allies of the US to switch to safer currencies such as the euro and yen, make it less and less likely that suppliers would be willing to be paid in depreciating paper rather than value commodities such as materials, information or services.
Oil investment in the Middle East is no longer a good deal as supplies become unpredictable oil prices become a secret weapon of terrorists.
Another problem - Mexico the No.2 oil supplier to the US after Canada is running dry. Another easy source gone.
The big investors can see all of this and are pulling out. But where can an investor make a profitable investment if oil supplies are uncertain?
Renewable sources of power such as solar, wind wave and geothermal, are unproven. Even when fully resourced, they will only supply a fraction of the worlds energy needs for the forseeable future.
Nuclear power is set to expand its electricity role, but present unpopularity, regulatory problems, waste storage and disposal, plus lengthy construction times mean that growth here will happen relatively slowly, and building is likely to occur on existing sites, rather than on new ones.
The majority of cars-even hybrids-will continue to require a fossil fuel source, as suggested alternatives such as hydrogen, ethanol, LPG and fuel cells continue to display major drawbacks compared to gasoline.
In short, more oil is needed fast.
Fortunately, there ARE oil investment areas where safe continuing profits are likely, but you do need to look around and look at the bigger picture of how an investor can still profit from new oil supplies and alternative energy sources.
Both Ronb107 & Mick Madigan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ronb107 has sinced written about articles on various topics from About Branding, Gas Prices. To learn more about or if you would like more info on the technology to inexpensively fight rising gas prices, go to. Ronb107's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Mick Madigan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Health and Arts. . Mick Madigan's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Collecting And Analyzing Data Only then will you be able to wisely decide what search engine optimization tactics you could use, how your ads should look and feel, where you should place them, and what other possible campaigns yo...