Fuel Prices

[mustang90]

I just can't believe how much more diesel has gone above premium gas prices. I always thought there was less refining needed with diesel versus gas. I really feel sorry for the independent truckers right now. Fuel surcharges or not, they have a tough time making ends meet when it rises this fast.

Your right major. I'm an independent and the daily fluctuations are more than any business can change rates to match. I find it so funny hearing about higher fuel surcharges to move freight. Where does everyone really think this excess money ends up? I will tell you first hand, it does not end up being passed down to they person(s) actually buying the fuel. They always say it rolls down hill... only as long as it isn't in the form of US currency! Here is some food for thought. Aside from diesel being close to $4.00 per gallon in many states, EVERY 5 axle truck pays roughly 3 cents per mile in every state traveled as a fuel tax. In some states like Kentucky, It is as high as 6 cents for every mile traveled. This is on top of the off the hook diesel prices. Think of that for every truck you see rolling down the road.

 

[Rickster71]

Looks like gas prices are on their way up again.

More drivers than ever may pay $5 per gallon
It seems like we've been slowly desensitized.

 

[Adam]

Looks like gas prices are on their way up again.

Our financial investment in the Iraq war sure is paying off.

 

[Midwesthonky]

It doesn't help the refiners keep shutting down the refineries. I understand maintenance and all that, but the pattern is highly suspect. Plus others are being shut down.

No one wants a refinery in their backyard, but if you want cheep gas, ya gotta have refining capacity.

All the EPA mandated special blends don't help either. Each city has their own blend which doesn't help either.

 

[Matt34]

Our financial investment in the Iraq war sure is paying off.

Patience grasshopper, the trifecta hasn't been completed yet, once we occupy Iran they will go down.

 

[Chu Gai]

It doesn't help the refiners keep shutting down the refineries. I understand maintenance and all that, but the pattern is highly suspect. Plus others are being shut down.

No one wants a refinery in their backyard, but if you want cheep gas, ya gotta have refining capacity.

All the EPA mandated special blends don't help either. Each city has their own blend which doesn't help either.

I don't know how accurate it is, but a couple of months ago I read that due to things like the relatively mild weather in the US along with less total highway miles being driven, the largest US export is processed oil. Things like gasoline, diesel, and whatever else refineries can crank out. Had the exports been less, there would be a larger surplus here which would act to drive prices down. There's little incentive to keep the prices down when you can sell the refined material to a higher bidder overseas.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, but they've also been saying the US is in an oversupply condition with respect to our own oil thanks to whatever that shale oil extraction process they've got in production now. Just this morning they said one of the reasons prices are up is because the east coast refineries were either down or slow in production for whatever reason, coupled with the Iran issues which drove the barrel price up. The cost of a barrel isn't even what drives the price up, it is the SPECULATION of the pricing of a barrel, which has less to do with actual production levels and more with fictitious fears over events that may or may not have any effect on the real supply.

I went to the gas station that I go to all the time because their prices are generally lower and they actually ran out of premium octane. The gal asked "Well, can't you just use the lower grade?" Sorry, turbo; not going to work.

 

[Chu Gai]

Yes, but they've also been saying the US is in an oversupply condition with respect to our own oil thanks to whatever that shale oil extraction process they've got in production now. Just this morning they said one of the reasons prices are up is because the east coast refineries were either down or slow in production for whatever reason, coupled with the Iran issues which drove the barrel price up. The cost of a barrel isn't even what drives the price up, it is the SPECULATION of the pricing of a barrel, which has less to do with actual production levels and more with fictitious fears over events that may or may not have any effect on the real supply.

I went to the gas station that I go to all the time because their prices are generally lower and they actually ran out of premium octane. The gal asked "Well, can't you just use the lower grade?" Sorry, turbo; not going to work.

One thing I heard was that we were producing so much natural gas (maybe its from that boom going on in North Dakota) that they've shut down some wells to keep the supply up. IIRC, China and India have also cut their oil consumption back about 10%.

Makes me wonder just what would happen if we could actually come up with sustainable nuclear fusion or super efficient solar arrays? Maybe we'll all one day have DNA incorporated into us that allows us to photo synthesize and generate electricity.

 

[Adam]

Maybe we'll all one day have DNA incorporated into us that allows us to photo synthesize and generate electricity.

Creating a whole new set of "Captain Kirk" pick up lines at bars.

 

[j_garcia]

Makes me wonder just what would happen if we could actually come up with sustainable nuclear fusion or super efficient solar arrays? Maybe we'll all one day have DNA incorporated into us that allows us to photo synthesize and generate electricity.

And then the machines will harvest us and use us as batteries Red pill or blue?

 

[Matt34]

Makes me wonder just what would happen if we could actually come up with sustainable nuclear fusion or super efficient solar arrays? Maybe we'll all one day have DNA incorporated into us that allows us to photo synthesize and generate electricity.

The oil companies would buy out the tech and we would never hear from it again.

 

[10010011]

the largest US export is processed oil. Things like gasoline, diesel, and whatever else refineries can crank out. Had the exports been less, there would be a larger surplus here which would act to drive prices down. There's little incentive to keep the prices down when you can sell the refined material to a higher bidder overseas.

You nailed it.

No matter how much more drilling we do the prices will not come down because the oil companies are going to sell to the highest bidder.

Anyone who says differently is either stupid or feeding you bullshit.

It's a worldwide market now, our days of cheap gas are coming to an end.

 

[Tarub]

ABC News - 02-22-12. Gas Price Report (Gas price rises ¢10 cents during 2 minutes live on air in Los Angeles)

I guess that guy in that yellow Corvette didnt make it on the $4.99 price.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... There's little incentive to keep the prices down when you can sell the refined material to a higher bidder overseas.

Exactly. Not today. Oil is a world commodity today, not a small, regional one.
Cannot drill our way out. Additional pipelines will not help, just get it to the world markets quicker.
Perhaps conversion to other energy?

 

[mtrycrafts]

... The cost of a barrel isn't even what drives the price up, it is the SPECULATION of the pricing of a barrel, which has less to do with actual production levels and more with fictitious fears over events that may or may not have any effect on the real supply.

...

Yep, the market is set up on speculation indeed. Costs of drilling and such has little to do with it now.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... Maybe we'll all one day have DNA incorporated into us that allows us to photo synthesize and generate electricity.

You mean getting vitamin D is not enough? Now you want some DC/AC current too? I forgot, the Matrix ran on that, didn't it?

 

[mtrycrafts]

The oil companies would buy out the tech and we would never hear from it again.

Just like those 100MPG carbs, right?

 

[mtrycrafts]

.... our days of cheap gas are coming to an end.

Where have you been? It has been here for a while, no?

 

[Tarub]

 

[psbfan9]

Maybe we'll all one day have DNA incorporated into us that allows us to photo synthesize and generate electricity.

Similar to this?

Researchers develop battery boosting Power Felt, encourages you to sit on your phone -- Engadget

Gas in my area has hit $3.88. It seems that this is just pure greed. The latest reason for the high prices are; Iran MAY BE, closing the straights of Hormuz. They haven't, traffic is still flowing. A fire at a refinery in Washington or Oregon. The thing is, there is still plenty of already refined oil out at gas stations. We're being charged more for something that MAY happen in the future.
As already mentioned, drilling now is not going to do anything now and not for maybe 10-20 years. Even releasing reserves will not do anything. We need more refineries and we also need to get serious about other alternative fuels.