[nunya bidness]

The problem and oil purchases is that we also pay big bucks to refine the oil- and that's what costs the most. If we could refine the oil here in the States...

Check out the link. I think you'll find that the oil from Iraq brokered by the Russians is cheaper to refine in Louisiana and Texas.

Tex: We've talked about this. Do you think that invading Iraq is going to serve our long-term energy needs?

[Texasforever]

I have no idea. Our reserves are still fairly good and we are really only importing 30% of our daily usage as it stands. South America is our primary source with and that is growing. Russian imports are a bit problematical just from logistics standpoint but a recent test of cost viability has shown that Russian crude can still be shipped here a bit below domestic prices. The United States is really not that reliant on Middle Eastern oil but Japan and Europe are. That is one major reason they are so soft on the region and one reason we are soft on Mexico and all points south.