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High oil prices unjustified: Saudi king
People's Daily Online ^ | August 27, 2006 | People's Daily Online

Posted on 08/26/2006 9:14:37 PM PDT by thackney

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul- Aziz called on Saturday for moderation in oil price, terming high oil price as "unjustified."

The king was quoted by Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat newspaper as saying that Saudi Arabia wanted moderate oil price, despite benefits it would reap from higher prices.

"The kingdom's oil policy is based on moderate prices and despite the benefits higher oil prices bring to us, we call for moderation in oil prices," the king said.

"Oil production is plentiful, so I am puzzled by the fluctuations in the market and the unjustified high oil prices," he added.

Oil price rose on Friday as a tropical weather system brewing in the Caribbean threatened to sweep through the Gulf of Mexico next week. Anxieties over Iran's nuclear issue also fueled the rise.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in October, closed up 15 cents at 72.51 dollars per barrel.

Saudi Arabia produces around 9.5 million barrels of oil per day and is the world's top oil exporter.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: energy; oil
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1 posted on 08/26/2006 9:14:38 PM PDT by thackney
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To: thackney

Bull$hit


2 posted on 08/26/2006 9:16:02 PM PDT by isthisnickcool (You! Shake your junk!)
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To: isthisnickcool
I'd say that the Saudi's would very much like to see the price of oil drop to about half it's current level (alright, around the $40 mark.) That's not bull, that's sensible. Especially since the high oil is funneling money into nations that the Saudi's don't want to see get richer.
3 posted on 08/26/2006 9:22:38 PM PDT by kingu (No, I don't use sarcasm tags - it confuses people.)
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To: kingu

I agree......plus the higher the oil prices, more more demand for alternative fuel....something the Saudis would not want at any cost


4 posted on 08/26/2006 9:31:42 PM PDT by NorCalRepub
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To: NorCalRepub
something the Saudis would not want at any cost

Yet for some reason people refuse to buy these altertantive fuels. Every cent you spend to fill up, is like donating directly to Al Qaeda.

5 posted on 08/26/2006 9:38:53 PM PDT by ozoneliar ("The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants" -T.J.)
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To: thackney
The U.S. Senate claims oil prices are driven by speculation. Oil is a commodity. Most commodities are fairly predictable. Weather plays a predictable role in crops. Investors buy hog bellies and sell corn and buy coffee every day. Some very astute speculators make a fortune buying low and selling high.

The problem from my point of view is that rich oil countries also play the speculation game. Banks in Dubai acting as front organizations can make a killing for Saudi Princes or Egyptian bankers that support Hezbollah. A wealthy gangster in Macao can funnel millions into oil with the click of a mouse. Nobody is watching what goes on. There are no controls in place.

This is the system the world has in place today. Get used to it because the price of oil is going up. Wait until Iran becomes more bellicose. Oil will go from $ 73 bbl. to about $ 85 over night.

6 posted on 08/26/2006 9:41:41 PM PDT by ex-Texan (Mathew 7: 1 - 6)
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To: kingu

Exactly. High prices are fueling Persian Iran, instability in Nigeria, the arms build-up of Chavez in Venezuela, etc. It also pushes the West to develop alternatives.

The Saudis understand that the only thing they have is oil, and the faster the world turns to alternatives, the faster they return to riding camels...


7 posted on 08/26/2006 9:43:14 PM PDT by Philistone (Turning lead into gold...)
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To: ex-Texan
The U.S. Senate claims oil prices are driven by speculation.

What story were you trying to link to? Your link is to the home pages with many articles.

8 posted on 08/26/2006 9:45:07 PM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: ozoneliar

As a Repub and very pro business....I still find it confusing why we coddle big oil to the exclusion of other ideas.....we can do both.....drill in ANWAR and accelerate our tech towards other means....hell, if we ever find a cost efficient way to make oil out of coal, we would rule and put the Mideast out of business


9 posted on 08/26/2006 9:45:25 PM PDT by NorCalRepub
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To: NorCalRepub
we can do both

We can do all sorts of things if enough people get interested but too few people are going to demand that we drill in Alaska or Florida for that matter. And the only reason that alternative fuels are taking off in a big way now is because it is becoming profitable in today's global environment. The 2005 Energy Bill did provide a big boost though.
10 posted on 08/26/2006 10:00:19 PM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: kingu
I'd say that the Saudi's would very much like to see the price of oil drop to about half it's current level (alright, around the $40 mark.) That's not bull, that's sensible. Especially since the high oil is funneling money into nations that the Saudi's don't want to see get richer.

I never have and never will believe anything that comes out of this guys mouth.

11 posted on 08/26/2006 10:01:22 PM PDT by isthisnickcool (You! Shake your junk!)
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To: ex-Texan

It is driven by speculation. It's the same deal as with real estate. Too many dollars chasing too few commodities, hoping to sell to a bigger idiot. Eventually, it all comes crashing down.


12 posted on 08/26/2006 10:06:34 PM PDT by B Knotts (Newt '08!)
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To: thackney
The Saudi is correct. The US is going gangbusters on alternatives and conservation and $75/bbl oil is not sustainable. I hate paying $3.00/gallon for gas, but as we all know, when the economy sucked 5 years ago, we were only paying $1.25 for gas, so those investing in alternatives are a little wary that cheap oil could rear its ugly head at a moments notice.

Even so, In Nebraska alone there are currently 2+ Billion gallons/yr of capacity of ethanol plants being built in the next 5 years. That's Billions with a B.

Personally, I think Ethanol sucks, but if it's $1.40/gallon for E85 and Gasoline is still over $2.00/gallon, I know which one I will be buying (and I hate the stuff).

13 posted on 08/26/2006 10:07:56 PM PDT by UNGN (I've been here since '98 but had nothing to say until now)
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To: thackney

The Saudis have the most to lose as oil prices stay high and more alternative energy sources get pushed to come on line.
The house of Saud knows all the scotch, blonde nordic hookers, and european sports cars go buh-bye sooner, than later.


14 posted on 08/27/2006 12:40:46 AM PDT by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: thackney

They can smell the market getting ready to give them the competition they so desperately need. I long for the day when we as a nation can tell them to get bent.


15 posted on 08/27/2006 12:43:43 AM PDT by mysterio
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To: ozoneliar
Every cent you spend to fill up is like donating directly to Al Qaeda.

Well, let's not forget Chavez and his merry band of South American commies.
16 posted on 08/27/2006 12:45:50 AM PDT by mysterio
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To: thackney
One explanaton is there is a Contango situation in the oil futures market. An investment bank can buy oil on the spot market and sell a futures contract for future delivery and make an almost riskless return of over 10%. The game stops when all the storage capacity has been used up - or at least it should!

There have been estimates of as much as $20/barrel on the current price is caused by these trades.

17 posted on 08/27/2006 5:59:09 AM PDT by Timocrat (I Emanate on your Auras and Penumbras Mr Blackmun)
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To: Timocrat
An investment bank can buy oil on the spot market and sell a futures contract for future delivery and make an almost riskless return of over 10%

Are you claiming that banks are taking delivery of oil, storing it somewhere to be sold at a later date because the future value is that much greater than the value today?

18 posted on 08/27/2006 6:02:36 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: thackney

Don't complain about high gas prices. Think of it as an investment that will leave these bastards totally screwed when alternatives to their stinky black crap come on line. Then they can eat it.


19 posted on 08/27/2006 6:17:16 AM PDT by DManA
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To: thackney

Don't blame free markets. Government run companies control 80% of the world's reserves. These companies are being run into the ground by greedy dictators and politicians.


20 posted on 08/27/2006 6:20:04 AM PDT by DManA
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