[G. Stolyarov II]

Today the oil market is much more restricted than it used to be, because governments own the vast majority of the world's oil -- which puts those governments' private partners in constant danger of expropriation and political attacks. This artificial government-imposed scarcity of oil is indeed a reason for exploring alternative energy sources -- especially nuclear energy -- to overcome the barriers foreign governments erect against private oil extraction. Oil is not *naturally* scarce, but extensive government meddling in the oil industry makes it so. See Dr. Belew's blog at PanAsianBiz

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

"It's different now. And, shall we not forget there are some nations that will allow investment and development and then, when all is said and done, kick out the major investor? "

It is not different, Mexico stole the oil fields of Americans in the thirties.

[budwiesest]

because governments own the vast majority of the world's oil --

Which is to say, it'll be mis-managed....at best.