| Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill | | | | oil from the economy as has the rebel activity in |
| Every day it seems as though the price for a barrel | | | | Nigeria. |
| of crude oil climbs ever higher. The people of the | | | | The refinement process of crude oil in the United |
| United States have every right to ask, "Why are gas | | | | States is also one of the reasons why gas prices are |
| prices so high?" There are many factors involved in | | | | so high. The reasoning behind this shift in expense is |
| the answer to that question. | | | | because the congressional elements seek to create |
| It is said that in the United States that over 140 | | | | cleaner blends of fuels that target the safety of the |
| billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel are consumed | | | | environment. The last few years have seen some |
| each year. That is a lot of oil and reserves cannot | | | | damaging hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast and this too |
| keep up with this type of demand. That is only what | | | | adds to the reasons of why gas prices are so high. |
| the U.S. uses and if you figure in what other nations | | | | The areas of drilling for crude oil in the United States |
| consume, the picture becomes even bleaker. | | | | have also seen a decrease in production and in some |
| The Demand for Oil is Increasing | | | | cases a complete drying up of the oil resource. Oil |
| Supply and demand affects all areas of commerce | | | | companies are having to find crude oil supplies in |
| and in the fuel industry this is true as well. More | | | | locations that are much harder to reach which in turn |
| countries are becoming developed and the need for | | | | makes looking for oil supplies a more expensive |
| oil is rising everyday. China is fast catching up with | | | | venture. |
| the United States and is thought to be well on her | | | | There is not just a single reason of why gas prices |
| way to surpassing it. It is thought by some economic | | | | are so high, there are many. That is why more |
| experts that the United States along with other | | | | money should be funneled into the research and |
| industrialized nations will need as much as 140 billion | | | | development of alternative fuel sources. The people |
| gallons of oil on a daily basis. | | | | of the U.S. should hang up their big SUV keys and |
| Supply Problems and Geopolitics | | | | look to smaller, more fuel efficient cars that will save |
| The main region where most nations get their supply | | | | them money by having to put less fuel in their tanks. |
| of oil is the Middle East. This is a region that is known | | | | There are many ways that an average family can |
| for its instability and often the flow of oil is | | | | save on gas and many of them are quite easily |
| interrupted because of warring factions. As we try to | | | | implemented. Doing your part to save the precious |
| negotiate with Iran over their desire for nuclear | | | | resource of crude oil should be on the top of |
| weapons, they are holding their oil supply as hostage. | | | | everyone's list no matter where in the world you live. |
| The war in Iraq has further depleted the export of | | | | |