[akdonn]

This is another reason why we need to drill ANWR!

[commonguymd]

I have a feeling that there is a concerted effort to keep gas prices above 2.50. Talking to a good friend that owns several stations that do service, his remark was that he could care less about service because the gas business is a good one right now. At one point, 50 cent a gallon locally. The allotments were short term, but the prices rose and everyone is sitting back waiting for the next guy to lower prices - meanwhile the distributor price has never gone completely back.

Anyway, I never saw these spikes before - and it seems like all of a sudden prices are out of control. Didn't see it during previous hurricanes, didn't see it during one war, two wars, three wars.......

[Cobra64]

This is another reason why we need to drill ANWR!

About 10-20 years too late. Dial 1-800-US-Congress.

People need to understand that the oil industry is extremely complex. Explore, drill exploratory wells, discern potential, evaluate, stage equipment and resources. Casings, blow-out protectors, valves, pipes, to a REFINERY that in itself takes 7 years to build at an average cost of $3 billion dollars.

This process is not a "light switch" instant-on process.

I wish people understood discovery, supply chain distribution logistics.

[blu]

A horse, a horse. My kingdom for a horse!

[Paul C. Jesup]

This is another reason why we need to drill ANWR!

Forget ANWR, we should drill for oil in the sea of oil under the U.S. mainland ASAP.

I live in Georgia and I know for a FACT with test wells for oil done in the 1950's, that there is a sea of oil 12,000 feet beneath me.

And it is probably cheaper than pulling it out of the ocean under miles of water and bedrock.

[paul51]

Of course this will result in another 'disruption' and increase in prices but it's all in the name of safety. Next best rationale after 'it's for the children'. Any other business would recognize the need for periodic inspections and routine maintenance work and plan for it so as to avoid 'disruptions' but not the oil industry.

[Eva]

I am bumping this article because I'm angered at the full page ad that BP took out in the WSJ, supporting global warming theories and environmental controls.

I want everyone to be reminded that during the last spike in oil prices, BP decided to shut down parts of the Alaskan pipeline for so-called safety over hauls. This is starting to be a BP MO. Their buzz word for the tactic is "culture of safety". I've been seeing it in numerous press releases from the company.

[Eva]

I should also add that BP has been trying to make a deal with the Enviros, to give up the normal trade route through the Puget Sound in exchange for expansion of their dock capacity. Of course, BP is prohibited from owning any tanker companies that operate between US ports, so this would be no problem for them, but it would eliminate the shortest and safest route for tankers through the sound and end up costing the consumers in higher gas prices.

[Eva]

bump