Oil Economic Geography

How does speculation impact the price of oil? I've heard that oil prices are higher than they would be in a natural supply/demand economy, and that part of this is due to speculation. What is speculation? How is it raising the price of oil? Also, if people or companies are using oil speculation to make money, why don't more people do it?

Is falling oil price good during a recession? I was wondering if there are any downsides to falling oil prices during a recession? It seems like it would be a good thing since low oil prices would lower the price of goods which would encourage consumers to spend and boost the economy so on... Am I missing something?

What was the average monthly price of oil in september and october? He everyone, I am looking for data on the average national (US) price of oil per gallon in recent months, specifically in september and october. Can anyone give me a quote or know where I can find such statistic? Also, is the threat of recession and recent plunge in the stock market likely to result in lower or higher oil prices? Thank you.

Why would the price of oil increase as tensions between the West and Iran increase? The price of oil reached an all-time high July of 2008 after Iran test fired missiles capable of reaching Israel. Obviously tensions between the Western world and Iran peaked at this moment, but why would oil prices rise? I just am having trouble seeing the connection between conflict between the West and Iran and a rise in oil prices. Why is it happening? What is the connection?

Now that oil prices has halved, can you truly contribute the price drop to lower demand? Because oil was at $147.27 in July, that figure has been halved. During this time the American public was urging people to cut down on oil consumption in retaliation to the price drop and to save money. Do you believe that this contributed heavily to the price drop, and if so is this a good weapon to use against OPEC and other oil producing nations not part of OPEC as a grassroots level of economic sanction? After all, capitalism is prevalent in our world and people want to make money. They certainly DON'T want to lose business. All very good answers! I'm not an economist, so I apologize for being general. I'm just some guy on the sidelines making observations and calling it like I see it.

How does crude oil price affect the gas price at the pump? When we see this price go down, how soon until we can expect to see the price at the pump go down? Also, these price reports usually include "for (month) delivery". Does that mean delivery to consumers, or delivery to the refineries? How does this delivery month affect prices at the pump? I understand that outside influences can change the price at the pump (refinery capacity, strikes, tax changes, etc). But, if we strip these variables away, how much does the price of crude oil (per barrel) affect the price at the pump?

How often does the price of oil nearly double for the holidays? Liberals keep claiming that the recent substantial rise in oil prices is normal for the holidays heading into the summer. How often does the price of oil nearly double for the holidays heading into the summer? No Bush rants please, this question has nothing to do with Bush. Please answer the actual question. For those who intentionally ignore the question, here it is again: How often does the price of oil nearly double for the holidays? Hint for the libs - It never doubled for this period though is did nearly double last year.

How has oil price changed over the past 12 months? I need to know how the price of oil has changed over the past 12 months, and what factors affected these changes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

How high will the oil price rise to this year? So the oil price fell today to 69.50 as I predicted it would go back down. But what do you think about the oil will it go down or up. I am predicting up with hurricane season coming up and we are on the brink of going to war with iran. The question is how high do you think it will go? $80 $100 dolars a barrel?

If an oil company pumps its own oil, why does the market price for a barrel of oil affect the gas price? I've read articles that say supply and demand are NOT the major drivers for today's high oil price. It's oil futures trading on unregulated markets and massive speculation in these markets.

Is there something with a price development that is inversly proportional to that of crude oil? Something that one could buy and expect to go up in value when oil prices drop, because, short selling futures has a relatively small profit margin and the risks immense, isn't it? Or in other words; Oil price dropped ten dollars + last week, who (and what shares or papers) profited from it?

are prices of oil futures a reasonable way to have an idea of future oil price movement? I want to have an informed guess for future oil price movements for an assignment...is it a good benchmark to look at the oil futures price being traded in the market to have an estimate.

what is the reason for oil price hike? when will its cost come back to normal?why is that the price of oil has increased?

How to stop increasing oil price, and who are main sources to stop high oil price,? Now a days world oil price gone up due to high price of oil. Poor people economic is very low and not surviving their life.

Is there an Oil conspiracy to drive up the price of crude ? Just when the price of oil falls below $ 40 a barrel. It's lowest level in years. All of a sudden there is an explosion of violence in the Middle East, Russia shuts off gas to Ukraine, and OPEC cuts production. Instant 20% jump in oil prices ... I think the Oil companies have a hand in it.

How supply and demand plays in the rising of oil price ? Oil price is rising obviously is rising, and it is caused by the demand and supply, with demand exceeds the supply. So, what are actually the factors of these supply and demand... OPEC come into mine as the supplier and China & India's rapid economic growth also come to my mine as the cause of demand. Can anyone explain me more about this supply and demand factors that causes the oil price to increase this much?

Do they British Government really expect to blame the economy on the oil price? Petrol tax is charged as a percentage. That means that every time the price of oil goes up the government receives more tax for it, so why do they need to raise other motoring taxes? In fact they should even be able to cut the percentage of fuel tax. And North Sea oil used to be expensive because it is offshore but now the cost of production has shrunk as a proportion of the sales price so the tax revenue on the oil and on the profit has increased. When are we going to get the benefit of all this increased income?

How do gas stations benefit from oil price movement? Do they benefit if oil price go up and lose if oil price go down everyday because they store their oil in their stations? How do they manage their profits with price movement everyday?

Why are gas prices still rising if the price of oil is going down? Stupid me, I thought that the reason gas prices were going to climb to $4 this summer was because the price of oil was skyrocketing. Well now oil prices have fallen and yet gas is still rising. What's the deal? Obviously my Economics 101 class was not enough to enable me to understand all this lol.

How best to profit from the inevitable rise in oil price ? Even a nitwit like me understands that oil will go up to over $100, so I want to make use of today's bargain price. What gives me the best leverage at the least cost / hassle? Triple leveraged ETF"s, options, futures ? Can anyone describe the pro's and con's in a nutshell?

Is it true that the price of crude oil is worked out in a 6 month advance? If the oil price is projected so far ahead why does the national petrol/diesel price rise so often in small increments. Could the fuel authorities not work thier increases out on a more once off basis by looking at the forecasted oil price figures.

Does the increase in oil price that occur some time ago had something to do with global warming issues? There was a huge oil price increase, did this increase had to do with global warming regulations. If not what are the determinants for oil price.

I want to locate a website with current crude oil price per barrel in the Williston Basin, Montana? I am trying to search for a website on the internet that I can access daily to find the current price per barrel of crude oil. This would be for the Williston Basin region in Montana.

How much will the oil price raise in the next 5 years? I am thinking about buying a car, and can't decide whether to buy a electric or gas car. If the oil price will be too high, I would go with the electric car. Please advice. Thanks in advance

How does hurricane season effect oil price? We are in the middle of the hurricane season, and the oil price just went up to $80 at the highest level for a short time. How does hurricane season effect oil price? Does it has to be a major hurricane to spike up the oil price? Can a tropical storm, or small hurricane effect the oil price? If so, how? thanks.

How are the Indian Railways able to keep the fares steady even when the oil price is rising? The bus fare and plane fare is seen increasing with oil price. What is the trick?

What's the relationship between oil price and stock price? It seems like there's a relationship between commodity price (oil price in particular) and stock price. What is it?

why the prices of gold and silver affected by the fluctuations in international crude oil price? why crude oil leads to the fluctuations in price of gold & silver? which thing determines the prices of gold and silver except the commodity market fluctuations?

What happened 1970-1976 to the oil price and what were the reasons for that? What happened 1970-1976 to the oil price and what were the reasons for that?

The world gold and world oil price increase so much should be good? The world gold and oil price increase very much should be making the price of the stock exchange up or down?

Why did Iranian missile tests cause price of Crude Oil to shoot up? Why did the Iranian missile tests in 2008 cause the oil price to shoot up to levels of around $140 per barrel?

Where can I find a record for the price of oil over the last month or 2? I just want to see the highs and lows of oil price for the past 2 months because petrol has been getting steadily more expensive though I've heard oil prices may be dropping again.

Why is lack of refinery capacity often cited as one of the reasons for the high crude oil price? As I see it, lack of refinery capacity would be more likely to create a glut of crude oil (but a shortage of petrol), and to bring the price of oil down. Mickey Clark (Radio 5 - Wake Up To Money) has mentioned the refinery capacity thing at least four times, but he never tackles my e-mails on the subject.

The price of oil decreased from $76 per barrel to $70 per barrel. What is the percentage change in oil prices? The price of oil decreased from $76 per barrel to $70 per barrel. What is the percentage change in oil prices?

How come price fixing, is not only allowed, but required for gas and oil prices while it is illegal for all? other areas of retail??? There are many different companies who drill oil, yet with that particular trade if one company raises it's prices per barrel of oil, all oil now costs that amount per barrel, where as with any other industry, competitors agreeing to set their rates at the same price would be illegal.

How many percentage of the oil price decreased ? Anyone know how many percent of the oil price decreased the latest ?

Can selling investments that are based on the 5 big oil companies affect the oil price? Is it possible that by selling major oil companies stock and re-fusing to purchase in vestments with those companies would that force these companies to drop the market value for there product? If this resource is being traded as a commodity instead of using the don't buy gas from that company to force price change. Would it not be more effective if everyone sold stock in those companies and re-fursed to purchase stock or investments with those compnies and sub-companies to bring the price of oil down???

why the oil price shows no signs of going back to the 2001 level? Isn't the economy now worse than 2001 and besides that the Dow in recent slump is actually lower than 2002. If the oil price can somehow reflect the economy. But why is the current oil price still higher than price in 2001 dot com bubble? is it still because of speculation? Or we are really in shortage of oil ?

If I am really bullish on the oil price, where should I invest my money? I am very bullish that oil price will keep rising. How can I take advantage over this rising oil price? Which company's stocks should I invest in?

Is the rise in crude oil price a mere speculation? the recent rise(last few months) in the oil price a mere speculation or is there any reason for it ,if there is any reason then what is it?

The oil price is going up causing havoc in world economy what can we do? With the oil price going up causing havoc in world economy what can a common man do to help the economy of the country? Bring back buggies and bicycles? declare war against the OPEC countries? sit back and pretend nothing is happening?

Over the long term, how does speculation affect the price of oil? In the short term, I think it is clear that speculation affects oil prices, but over the long term, I am less than convinced. Specifically, with all derivatives, there is someone on the other side of the deal; it is a zero-sum game unless someone takes delivery. If speculation drove the long-term price of oil, it seems to me that the speculators would be required to take delivery of the oil at some point in hopes of selling it at a higher price. If the speculators are not taking delivery, supply and demand must dictate the price of oil as the long-derivative speculator simply offsets the position of the short-derivative speculator until the contracts settle or expire. Since speculators who do not take delivery are not affecting supply and demand, how could speculation cause a long term increase in the price? News commentators continue to bang the drum of speculation causing the price rises, but I remain unconvinced. Now is your chance to convince me where my analysis falls short.

What tool I can use to predict to what level crude oil price will bottom to? Oil price is coming down drastically. I like to run some research to understand to what level oil price should bottom out. Can anyone share any hint?

What do you think about the new oil price gouging law? A law just passed the house that would impose heavy fines on oil companies for price gouging.

What's going on with the crude oil price? Why is it still pushing up? Can anybody explain to me why is the price of crude oil continues to pushing upward? The highest price in mid summer was $75, and at the time I thought that was high. Now, it seems the price $75/barrel is like a miracle. Are we demanding more oil during the winter month than the busy summer season? What is going on? Was there a hurricane hit somewhere that I missed? Is the hurricane season still going on? I can't understand the spike in the crude oil price so late in the year.

What will happen if the oil prices rise again to unexpected price? The oil prices is rising again and again. Most of our daily process relies on oil. Will there be rise on properties, market, food . What can we do to prepare for this hike?

Isn't this a much bigger source of the oil price problem than anyone gives it credit to be? We all want to blame the oil companies trying to make a buck, some want to blame the Arabs, some know that the demand in oil consumption of countries like China and India is increasing the price and that supply is off because of instability in Nigeria and the lunatic in Venezuela. But very few are taking into account the commodities speculators on Wall Street who are making money hand over fist betting on the flow of oil. Is there a way that we could take them out of the equation and bring the price down to a sensible level?

why has the price of oil suddenly started coming down again? it says in the stock market report for american trade yesterday that shares had risen due to oil price reduction... and that oil shares had decreased because of it.. do i get the feeling that there is more control on all of this than we are being told?

On what measures the OPEC countries decide the price rate of OIL? Since we know the OPEC decides the price of oil ,but based on what measure they decide that this week the price will be $78/barrel and next week it is 90/barrel?what makes the oil price fluctuate everyday?

Will the fall in the price of oil affect funding for the st.vincent Argyle international airport show? Trinidad and Venezuela based their support on this project when the oil price was high.

How is the international oil price per barrel calculated? With ever increasing oil prices, i wonder if it is worth buying a petrol car?

Is the high price of oil the reason our economy is in a recession? President Bush said during an interview that the reason food prices are sky-rocketing is due to the fact that a barrell of oil is $126. How do food prices appertain to oil prices and why does the economy revolve around oil?

What is the inflation index, gold price and crude oil price index for last five years? For a project i need information on that topic. " The analytical study of correlation between inflation, gold prices and crude oil".

Why Oil Stock fall despite we in record high oil price? I was surprise to see my oil stock still fall after so news of oil price in record high. Are the company keep all the profit them self and not share to the stock holder?

Oil prices are at the lowest levels since early May. Why is our avg price $ per gallon not that low again? In early May, the average price $ per gallon in the U.S. was under $3 per gallon. Right now, with oil back at that previous level, gasoline is still hovering around $4 per gallon. Tell me that Exxon Mobile is not gouging us. Go Broncos...Theoretically, yes that is the way it is SUPPOSED to happen but if that were the case, then why does the price at the pump go up seemingly immediately when the price of oil goes up at the end of the trading day in Saudi Arabia? Rocker & nj2pa...national average still lists 3.89/gal. Diesel fuel has declined 60 cents a gallon here in Michigan over the past 2 weeks yet unleaded actually went up 2 cents per gallon within the past two weeks. We are at 3.88 along the West coast of Michigan. Traverse City South to Muskegon.

What is the root cause increasing oil price? What is the cause of the escalation in oil prices. I have heard it is a supply and demand issue. So is it that demand from emerging markets has increased that much to cause such an increase?

Is the airfare going to go down because of low oil price? I am planning a travel Jan-feb, 2009. Should I buy tickets now or should I wait 1-2 weeks. Do you think that the fares would come down because of lower oil prices, early next year ?

Why is it that when the price of oil rises, our gas price also rises immediately? However, when oil prices are down, it takes WEEKS for it to reflect on our gas prices? There is something VERY shady about this! Gary S- If inventory replacement cost are immediate, than gas prices should not just immediately be raised but, immediately be lowered as well. Correct?

why does United States have to manipulate the fluctuate the price of crude oil/ petrol? since we are heading to another severe depression/inflation, US is constantly being bombarded by horricane which destroy the oil rig there.and the States will increase the crude oil price throughout the world. and why not they give it to other countries which are not prone to climate calamity.

How long do you think the oil price run ups will last? It appears that Iraq is going to start producing a lot of oil due to its newly installed government and the over all war effort of the U.S. and talks on how Iraq can improve itself through increased oil commerce. Iraq has enough oil reserves to supply the U.S. with a good 70 years of oil, but as we all know the gap between oil supplied and oil used is what greatly determines oil prices and this gap can easily be covered, and covered in excess, by Iraq. As such, how long do you think oil prices will continue to remain high?

Oil just dropped below $70 a barrel. I thought the price shot up because we were running out of the resource? Did we suddenly find massive quantities of the stuff? Did the world suddenly curb its thirst for oil? Could it be that the threat from the US to become more energy independent has driven the costs down? Why is it that with a 50% reduction in oil prices that there is not a 50% reduction in gasoline prices?

What part if any did the oil price spike play in the current worldwide economic mess? Was the run up in oil prices a contributor to the current worldwide economic woes?

Why do americans complian about the oil price more than people from other countries? americans are complianing about the oil price than the rest of the world and at the same time oil price in many countries inthe world are way more expensive the the US i am from canada the second largest oil producer inthe world secong to saudi arabia and the oil price is way higher than the gas in the united states many canadians are going to the states to get gas.

Has the Iraq war led to more oil price speculation? Apparently one of the key reasons (except of course the fundamentals of supply and demand) for the increase in oil prices has been speculation. Firstly, how does speculation effect prices, and secondly, has the Iraq war led to more speculation, thus further perpetuating the price rise? Please explain clearly and give sources/references.

Why is USO falling as the oil price rises? The price of oil has risen by at least $5 per barrel over the past days, yet the USO ETF has fallen 2-3% in this time. What's going on? I thought USO was supposed to track the price of oil.

Why does the oil price drop after the hurricane? It's nice that the oil prices are dropping, but I was just wondering why? Is not the hurricane supposed to increase the oir prices?

Do you think the drop in the price of a barrel of oil due to Bush off shore drilling? Barrel of oil prices are falling sharp. Do you think this might link to fact that the US might start drilling for oil off shore in other areas beside the Gulf Of Mexico?

Why are UK gas prices linked to the price of oil? Surely gas prices should be determined by the supply and demand for gas, and should not be linked to oil prices.

Economics - the potential causes of price changes in oil? What are the potential causes of the price changes in oil over the last 30 years? Also, what are the potential impacts of increasing oil prices on the world economy?

Is it possible for governments to lower the oil/gas price? Oil price at the pump is based on supply and demand wheras the price in the oil market is subjected to speculations and the value of the US dollar. OPEC has said that supply of the oil is sufficient for its demand.

How can Oil price is going to change, for 100 years, McCains theory?.? Oil price Iternationally is same. With Oil-Energy price, has Domino effect on everything else, including our life. Meager increase in income level is going to nullify anything. God gave us Intelligence to be Human: Is it?

what may possible reasons and impacts of crude oil price hike in india and international level? crude oil price has touched the highest level even just considerable more demand growing in just double digit but the price reaching about more then 100% almost then previous same time. so it was not in expectation of any economist and thus what and how are the possible profit pie of certain industry and economy structure of countries like INDIA? Sumeet Patel Ahmedabad

Do you think the price of oil and gas will ever come back down? What are your feelings about gas prices ever returning to $2.99 a gallon or even $3.50 a gallon. Or will oil prices ever return to below $100.00 a barrell again anytime in the near future?

How long does it take for price of crude oil on a specific day to reflect the price at the pump? trying to figure out when is the best time to get gas using recent crude oil price

How can oil be at its lowest price of the year and gasoline prices rise at the same time? Yahoo had this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061117/ap_on_bi_ge/oil_prices_51 and this: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gas14nov14,1,1475055.story?coll=la-headlines-business on its homepage news at the same time. I have heard election and Republican conspiracy theories but please don't post a response like that without hard evidence.

With Oil price going back under $100, is there a chance Airlines will cut prices after all recent price hikes? They added fees for checked bags, meals, reservations. They increased number of miles needed for rewards etc etc. All due in part by high oil prices. With oil back below $100, will they readjust prices?

How low do you think the price oil will drop? The price of crude oil has dropped by dollars each day for almost a week. I think it's down to about $124.44 a barrell right now. How low do you think it will go before it starts to hold steady or go back up? I think it may get down to $110's, but not much more than that. I'm just guessing. Does anybody have more educated insight?