I think higher prices have more of a detrimental effect, at least, as far as its contribution to gas prices go.
Higher gas prices do more harm to the general public which far outweighs harm to a particular industry based on the sheer volume.
I agree - long term low prices have to be helpful for energy.
Too many have banked on soaring prices and over invested themselves so they suffer for now and we all feel the throes of it, but if they allow it to iron itself out, we will be better off if they don't artificially inflate the prices (like they did to the Markets/Banks with all the QE crap that still waits in the wings to slam us)..