Posted on 08/11/2004 8:13:34 PM PDT by quidnunc
With crude prices at $40 a barrel and gasoline prices averaging $2 at the pump, the usual know-it-alls are mounting the ramparts.
They are (1) renewing calls for energy independence, (2) demanding release of oil from the salt-domed Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) (with the co- rollary demand that the Bush administration stop putting more oil into it), and (3) reaching back to the tattered notion of raising the federal gasoline tax by 50 cents a gallon to make gas at the pump higher still.
First, let's talk facts:
• U.S. domestic petroleum consumption is up (but as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product it is down).
• Oil imports are up; domestic production is down. In 1970 the U.S. produced 20 percent of the world's crude; today the percentage stands below 10. Yet
• Domestic reserves — coastal, inland, and off-shore — are dramatically up.
• Since 1960, federal and state gasoline taxes have risen 300 percent. Today they account for 23 percent of a gallon of gasoline costing $1.80. That is more than everything in the $1.80 cost except the cost of the crude itself — more than the refining cost and more than the cost of marketing and distribution.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at timesdispatch.com ...
I laugh at the idea we're over a Saudi barrel. Any idea where we would be without that Saudi barrel, in light of the fact that the Saudis actually bump up production at our request quite often?
Sugguest you give it some thought and explain to folks what would happen to the price of our oil per barrel, if the Saudis stoped production.
As you well know, I blew it. You just posted the article. I appologize. The comments should go to the person who created that title.
Won't be long, IMHO - the problems we have today concerning shale oil extraction are environmental concerns that make the methods used in the 70s impractical. But there are all sorts of new ideas just waiting to get somebody rich. Again.
Hope you are right. Nothing like an oil boom to pep up the economy.
The oil companies began exploring in earnest during the boom of the 1970's to early 1980s. They found significant reserves in the following locations: California coastline particularly areas near Malibu, the Gulf of Mexico, the Four Corners, the Grand Banks, and the continental shelf off Masssachusetts, NY-Long Island, and NJ coastlines, particularly running near old fault lines.
They capped the areas on the continental shelf off the MA, NY, and NJ coastline because the technology then could not access the oil cheaply (1970's tech) and environmentalist/fishermen/real estate owners on the shore worried about spills and storms.
My opinion is that the US and Canada are actually sitting atop untapped the largest oil reserves that would put the MEast to shame. But the MEasterners have to dig in sand for relative short distances with cheap overhead and labor while ignoring environmentalists which makes their product more desirable to cost-conscious oil companies and weak politicians.
The reason for prices at record highs:
o China and USA stockpiling stategic reserves past 30 day limit.
o It's pure futures speculation not based on fact but emotion.
o Possible market manipulation with stockpiles.
Check out the following two articles on the subject. The first is from 1984 and the second is from today.
Washington Report On Middle East Affairs (http://www.wrmea.com/backissues/121784/841217005.html)
Trade and Finance
OPEC: The Next Crisis by John Haldane
December 17, 1984, Page 5
OPEC's handling of the oil price cuts announced in October by Britain, Nigeria and Norway turned out to be a small, but manageable, crisis for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Similar "mini crises" may develop again next year, particularly in the spring, when demand for oil may slacken. But oil analysts taking a longer look into the future say that a far less manageable problem will almost certainly arise when Iran and Iraq resume exports at, or near, pre war levels. While no one expects this to happen overnight, analysts say it could occur as early as one year from now.
Following the October price cuts by the non-OPEC producers, OPEC met in Geneva and decided to cut its production ceiling from 17.5 million to 16 million barrels per day (b/d). This total daily cut of 1.5 million barrels was distributed among 11 of OPEC's 13 members, with Iraqi and Nigerian quotas left unchanged. The smallest decrease in allocation, 13,000 b/d, went to IC7abom, while Saudi Arabia accepted the largest cut of 647,000 b/d. Informal arrangements also were worked out so that wealthier nations like Saudi Arabia and Libya would absorb the cutbacks of less wealthy states.
Saudi Arabia again played a leading role in persuading OPEC colleagues to reduce output, rather than to lower the benchmark price of $29 per barrel for high quality Arabian Light oil. This price probably will hold through the winter, with usual sales on the spot market selling for a dollar or so less. But how low the benchmark price may drop when winter is over is open to debate. OPEC officials plan to meet again in Geneva later this month to examine overall pricing strategy.
Near normal oil exports by both Iran and Iraq could seriously test OPEC's ability to remain an effective cartel. Iraq, by building new pipelines, may reach pre war export levels by late 1985 or early 1986, regardless of whether its war with Iran continues. The second factor is the potential resumption of high Iranian output soon after Iran ends hostilities with Iraq. Given increasing domestic tensions over economic conditions in Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini may be forced to end the war to safeguard his regime.
The war between Iran and Iraq, now in its fifth year, has cost the two countries billions of dollars in lost oil revenues. Economic development programs in both nations have been slowed and, in some instances, cancelled. Vitally needed agricultural and industrial imports have been cut back, and foreign businessmen complain of long delays in receiving payment. Since neither country exports anything else nearly as valuable as oil, both need to resume oil production at pre war levels and to sell this output at going market rates, regardless of OPEC production quotas or the going benchmark price. While Iraq may be willing to listen to Saudi advice about working through OPEC, Iran may feel no such compulsion, and only seek to regain its old market share. Before the revolution, Iran produced roughly 25 percent of total Gulf production, while Saudi Arabia's share was 35 percent. Now the Saudis supply almost 50 percent, while the Iranian share has fallen to 10 percent.
Oil Exports Getting Top Priority
According to industry estimates, Iran currently is producing below its new OPEC quota of' 2.3 million b/d. In the past, Iran has pumped as much as 6.2 million b/d. While the condition of Iranian oil facilities at present probably prohibits a quick rise in production, an all out repair effort could bring production capacity back up to 4 million b/d in a year or so, with a longer range goal of 5 to 6 million b/d. Iranian economic planners are giving top priority to the maintenance and repair of oil fields, despite a shortage of hard currency.
Iraq also is producing less than its OPEC quota ; 1.2 million b/d. Exports have been badly hurt by the closure of Iraq's oil export facilities on the Gulf and by its inability to send oil via its pipeline through Syria, which was closed by the Syrian government in April, 1982. Present Iraqi production is less than 50 percent of its 3.5 million b/d pre war production, which then was ranked second highest in OPEC. However, the pipeline being constructed to link up Iraq's southern oil fields with the existing east-west Saudi line to Yanbu, on the Red Sea, should permit Iraq to increase production by about 500,000 b/d early in 1986. Combined with anticipated expansion of Iraq's existing pipeline through Turkey (the only line presently in operation), Iraq's oil exports by early 1986 could exceed its 1.983 level by 1.8 million b/d. As in the case of Iran, Iraq is giving top priority to resuming oil exports and plans to raise export levels rapidly once a ceasefire is negotiated.
Some experts predict that post war Iran/Iraq production increases could total 3 million b/d, a 19 percent rise over OPEC's current overall ceiling. This added production possibly could be absorbed by a new upswing in the world's economy, assuming, unrealistically, that such debt ridden oil producers as Mexico, Nigeria, and Venezuela would not increase their production. The more likely scenario is that the new output will create strong pressures to cut oil prices. It may be impossible for OPEC to maintain the $29 benchmark price in the face of such downward pressures.
The problem OPEC will face when Iraq and Iran boost production is how to set new OPEC quotas agreeable to all participants. If some members opt to sell all the oil they can produce at open market prices, this loss of control by OPEC over its members' production could result in world prices as low as $20 a barrel. Most oil analysts do not predict such a sharp drop, but rather forecast an OPEC benchmark price of $25 for next year.
For several years OPEC has not been the only oil game in town. Its power over the world oil market has been eroded by the steady increase in production by non OPEC nations. OPEC's estimated share of world consumption has dropped from 60 percent in 1979 to 40 percent today. During this same period, OPEC production dropped from 32 million to 17 million b/d, while non OPEC production rose from roughly 20 million to 25 million b/d. This creates a downward pressure on oil prices that will continue as long as increases in non OPEC production exceed the growth in world consumption.
John Haldane is a specialist in Middle East affairs who has served as a foreign service officer in Baghdad, Beirut and Cairo, and as an international economist in the Departments of Commerce and Treasury.
Now THAT is interesting.
Glad that you're here on FR; I read the thread where you enlisted to comment on Iran.
There is considerable enegy conservation to be wrung out of the system again, due to new products like LED lighting. Huge amounts of energy cna be saved, and huge amouts of money made with these new products.
I wish we'd get on with it and quit acting like the sky is falling.
Was that Fed gov money? Carter dollars from the Dept of Energy?
Every little bit helps. 4 billion sounds like a lot and it is but it is not in the context of US oil consumption. Convert gallons to barrels [4,000 million / 42 bbls per gallon.] Round the result up to 100 million bbls. This gets us a little less than a ten day equivalent of oil imports from agricultural waste by your estimate. My point was not to declare that all is lost. It isn't but please recognize that oil and gas consumption is part of just about all the products on which our civilization is built ... and the volumes of oil being consumed are immense.
Probably a rhetorical question, but "yes if course".
I spent a little time closing out some Government contracts where Carter spent a couple of billion drilling approximately 20 deep wells / holes in places in northern Alaska where there was no prospect of finding oil or gas.
When the money was mostly gone on a project that was supposed to have something to do with energy independence, someone at the Department of Energy apparently made the decision that it would be a good idea to actually "discover" some hydrocarbons. The final well targeted and successfully extend the Barrow gas field. Where there is no profit motive there will be little profit.
Colorado had an oil shale boom when gas prices were high in the 70s.
Was that Fed gov money? Carter dollars from the Dept of Energy?
Sorry I missed your question. I will reply here and try a private reply to notify you.
IIRR, the oil shale boom was primarily private. Several of the big oil companies put money into it. Exxon had a big project near Parachute, CO. Shell was involved as were a couple more major companies and lots of small outfits.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.