Skyrocketing Gas Prices

[ou48A]

Venture79 is right. Any extra capacity would be exported, not used to drive down prices here in states. Of course, OU48A is right also. The oil companies want to charge us as much as they can but just low enough to keep us from finding something else to use.

Is there anything else as efficient and practical to use….?

Lots of energy poor nations and many others have spent billions and employing many very smart people to work on this problem for several decades. They haven’t managed to find a solution and there are trillions to be made…

Let’s not be so ridiculous to think the oil companies are blocking the world from coming up with a replacement fuel.

[Larry OKC]

Noticed yesterday when mother and I were running errands that EVERY 7-11 that we saw from Moore, Southside, to where I live near NW 50th & Portland (found out from a co-worker, it was the same in Yukon) ALL had the same $3.79 price at least a dozen locations. Very unusual. While I think pricing for all of a particular chain should be the same within a geographic area, most of the time 7-11 prices can vary from one side of town or even stations within blocks from each other, by as much as a nickel or dime. May just be a coincidence, but it was the same day it was reported in the paper that the Gov had declared a state of emergency in numerous counties because of the tornados and it triggered the anti-gouging law. it may be a PR move on 7-11s part to head off any talk of price-gouging during this time. Even though they can still legally raise prices up to 10% more than what they were before the declaration. Which means at $4/gallon they could still legally raise the price another 40 cents. But good news and hope the lowering trend continues and we at least get back to the $3.09 I paid a month ago.

[Just the facts]

Quote Originally Posted by Just the facts
Venture79 is right. Any extra capacity would be exported, not used to drive down prices here in states. Of course, OU48A is right also. The oil companies want to charge us as much as they can but just low enough to keep us from finding something else to use.

Is there anything else as efficient and practical to use….?

Lots of energy poor nations and many others have spent billions and employing many very smart people to work on this problem for several decades. They haven’t managed to find a solution and there are trillions to be made…

Let’s not be so ridiculous to think the oil companies are blocking the world from coming up with a replacement fuel.

Personally, I use the most efficient machine known to man for most of my local needs, but I digress. I am simply making the point that if gasoline cost $5 or $6 per gallon other fuels would then become economically viable, profit motive would kick-in, economies of scale would be achieved, barriers to entry would be reduced, and gasoline would find itself obsolete at any price.

[ou48A]

Personally, I use the most efficient machine known to man for most of my local needs, but I digress. I am simply making the point that if gasoline cost $5 or $6 per gallon other fuels would then become economically viable, profit motive would kick-in, economies of scale would be achieved, barriers to entry would be reduced, and gasoline would find itself obsolete at any price.

Yes if gasoline cost $5 or $6 per gallon other fuels would then become economically viable but history has shown this to be a very flawed thought, because it would send the US and likely the world economy into a very serious economic recession. It’s already happened at much lower levels several times.

The fact is that there is no replacement except for NG that won’t do very serious economic damage. A very poor economy creates a very tight energy research budget situation. If you kill the economy you would drive down crude oil prices that would in turn bankrupt most of those other fuels that you just think you want.

[venture]

Yes if gasoline cost $5 or $6 per gallon other fuels would then become economically viable but history has shown this to be a very flawed thought, because it would send the US and likely the world economy into a very serious economic recession. It’s already happened at much lower levels several times.

The fact is that there is no replacement except for NG that won’t do very serious economic damage. A very poor economy creates a very tight energy research budget situation. If you kill the economy you would drive down crude oil prices that would in turn bankrupt most of those other fuels that you just think you want.

So essentially you are saying the Oil and NG industry has the country/world economy hostage and nothing we can do about it?

We definitely have replacements already, but there are many taboos around them. Wind and Nuclear could easily move in and start reducing power generation from Oil/Gas products. Of course the big one comes to replacing it in transportation, which we don't have it yet. Once the power grid is able to support it, vehicles can be moved to be mostly electric with in road charging systems (already exists). The solution isn't as easy when it comes to air and sea.

[Just the facts]

We could do that Venture but it would be super expensive. I prefer just living closer to what I need. Our grandparents were smart enough to put the kitchen and bathroom inside the house but if we applied development techniques to the home we would spread each use all over the lot and TVs in bedroom would be banned because that is mixed-use. Eating popcorn while watching TV would require a zoning change. Sleeping on the sofa would get you a fine from code enforcement.

[Martin]

...down another 10 cents today. -M

[ou48A]

So essentially you are saying the Oil and NG industry has the country/world economy hostage and nothing we can do about it?

We definitely have replacements already, but there are many taboos around them. Wind and Nuclear could easily move in and start reducing power generation from Oil/Gas products. Of course the big one comes to replacing it in transportation, which we don't have it yet. Once the power grid is able to support it, vehicles can be moved to be mostly electric with in road charging systems (already exists). The solution isn't as easy when it comes to air and sea.

When it comes to (cars) transportation gasoline or NG is the cheapest fuel and therefor brings the most prosperity to man. There really are not any affordable replacement fuels that can meet even a fraction of the demand.

One thing that may hold NG prices somewhat in check is that it cost about $6 on top of the base price to process raw NG into LNG for export and as NG prices raise electrical generators will switch back to coal as some are already doing. Higher prices would mean more drilling increasing the supply and we still have massive untapped NG deposits.

We should be doing more with our nuclear power generation in my view. They say the new designs are far safer.
But one of the biggest problems with nuclear and on many other energy projects is how activist drive up their cost by delaying tactics. This cost each of us money. They can keep a project tied up in our courts for more than 10 or more years…. We need new laws that speed the process along. Even Obama agrees with that thought on some projects.

Certainly where it’s practical we should conserve and look for affordable alternatives. If a cheaper alternative could be found I would be for it since it would advance man’s prosperity and ability’s to conquer other problems.

[ou48A]

Attention Venture79

Wow, this author from the green radical publication “The Energy Collective” really gets the reality of renewable energy’s
.
It’s a good read with lots of truth.
Examining the Prejudices of Renewable Energy Zealots | The Energy Collective

[Larry OKC]

I suspect 7-11 probably mandated this fixing due to the disaster. They don't want there to be any room for accusations. Just stick to one price for everyone, regardless of market pricing for now. Just my speculation.

Agree. Noticed that none of the other stations had followed 7-11s lead, but would think at some point they will have to to stay competitive. Unless 7-11 is selling it below cost (illegal under Oklahoma law, as nearly all retailers & wholesalers are required to make at least a 6% profit on every item they sell), it will be obvious that the others can follow suit and stop gouging folks (not legally of course).

...down another 10 cents today. -M

Noticed that too and it is encouraging esp with the holiday weekend coming up. granted it isn't back down to the $3.09/gallon it was a month ago, but it is at least going in the right direction.

[OKCisOK4me]

Saw $3.69 at 7 Eleven on NW 39th & Ann Arbor today so its getting closer to where gas was the last time I filled up ($3.55).

[Jim Kyle]

Same price at NW 122 & Council, also Britton Rd and Hefner. That's three consecutive days of dropp[ing ten cents/day...

[bluedogok]

Here in Denver I saw a station with the same price for unleaded and diesel, been a long time since I have seen that. Gas in Louisville was about 20 cents higher yesterday than it was here in Denver.

[amandagall5]

Spent today driving from OKC to Vicksburg MS, the lowest price I saw was 3.19, plenty of places in the 3.20 to 3.30 range.

[Larry OKC]

Paid $3.44 (members price) at the Sams on Memorial & N. Penn, this past Saturday. Went to the Sams on I-40 between Meridian and MacArthur and they were $3.66. Friday after work, noticed two Duos (along 10th, between Portland and MacArthur) @ $3.46 (IIRC), cash only. Thought I found a real bargain at the Murphy/Walmart @ 23rd & MacArthur ($3.26) but the station is closed with no pumps...which I didn't notice as a went inside to put the money on the Walmart GAS CARD...

[Anonymous.]

Filled up another $30 @ 4.19 last night. (Premium)

Refuse to go full tank at these prices!

[kelroy55]

Was in N Dallas again today and paid 3.34 at Circle K

[Anonymous.]

Thread is dead, must mean gas prices are coming down.

Filled up just over $4 for premium the other day.

First full tank in a while.

[venture]

Looks like things are settling some. East side Homeland in Norman, which is pretty high most of the times, is $3.53 for the cheap stuff - though they are also 100% gasoline as well.

GasBuddy has South Carolina the cheapest still at 3.18.

OKC Metro Overall...


Looks like we are back to almost where we were a year ago and have a few weeks until things start going back up.

[law]

I don't know why you continue to complain. The gas is theirs, they own it, they can charge whatever they want (emergencies not included of course). Just pay the price if you want to go somewhere.

[bluedogok]

Up here diesel was 13 cents cheaper than unleaded, just a strange sight to see.

[SSEiYah]

$3.34 at Oncue this morning at SW 59th and Western.

[Larry OKC]

the stations near that intersection on along the same price point. I filled up at the Santa Fe Walmart Sat night for $3.31 (prepiad gift card). A co-worker said that a station out on Council & NW 10th was $3.29 last week? But still see prices up there...as much as $3.70 at a station near my apt at NW 50th & Portland

[Larry OKC]

Yesterday, there were 3 stations posted on GasBuddy.com that were under $3/gal ($2.99) I am sure there are more but just not listed. of the 15 lowest posted, all were $3.10 or less. Great news for the holiday weekend.

[BBatesokc]

Heard they may start going back up with the unrest overseas.