Trains.com

$60 a barrel for oil?

3262 views
53 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
$60 a barrel for oil?
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 3:55 AM
Probably will hit that mark today..... Read this link-
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050620/oil_prices.html?.v=34

Everyone is pumping as much as they can, and the price keeps going up because demand is up 3 percent from last year in America, and the market is worried about refining capacity. On top of this is that Norway may be cutting 1 million barrels a day of world production by a strike..... There is instablity around the world to play our oil cards this close to the vest, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out we should expand our refining capacity.... Its time to cut consumption, or pay the piper.....

$3 a gallon for gas is right around the corner.....
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 5:06 AM
We will be paying that piper evermore, cue in large part to our overinvestment in highways. It took 60 years to get into this mess, and will take 50 or more to get back out.

Mac
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 7:04 AM
I remember when oil hit $30 under Bush I and eveyone said about the same thing. Under the next administration it went to $13 and we know what the economy did during those years. To be fair, there was a big jump during the LBJ years. Different party, same state?
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin TX
  • 4,941 posts
Posted by spbed on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 7:31 AM
Sorry to say that there are going to be many hurting Americans as paying for gas disrupts the way they are used to living up to now. [:(][:(]

If I was a money planner I would recommend to anyone that you should begin to evulate what you are now spending money on that is really not necessary. [;)][;)]


Originally posted by donclark
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 51 posts
Posted by georgel on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 8:01 AM
With the price of housing up 93 %,and medical care up almost 200%,and your morning coffee up 56%, gas is only up 45% from a year ago. I think $4.50 a gallon is not far off.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 8:11 AM
It's only going to get worse. Because as Amercia want's more so does the Price as it reflecs with high price of gas. Even though China guzzels up more than the USA does. That's why they pay more than us.
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • 2,434 posts
Posted by gabe on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 8:42 AM
First of all: good.

When oil spiked in the 70s, there was a very pronounced movement to develop alternate energy forms. Had that movement continued, we would not be having the energy problems we are right now.

The only thing that is stifling alternate forms of energy was the low cost of oil. If the current prices can be maintained, alternate forms will be viable and our dependence upon crude will diminish.

Gabe
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:30 AM
$60? I heard this AM that $100 a barrel was likely by end of summer, and gas will be $3 a gallon, I dont see any effort to build any new refineries to help open the refining bottleneck causing the high gas prices also, its too sweet a deal for Big Oil to keep supply tight and prices high, so much for Prez Bush's Energy Policy.....as for me? I'm getting a Smart car when they come out [}:)]

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 11:39 AM
I dont think the problem lies in the lack of refineries. It lies with the people in America who insist on buying cars that on the highway dont even get 20 mpg. Who needs an h2? No one does. There are many cars out there that get great gas mileage, that, should people realize they do not need gas guzzling cars, could help with gas prices. i would love to see gas go to five dollars a gallon, then laugh when people who think that suvs are the best thing, cant drive them anymore. 6 bucks a gallon, I wish....
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 4,115 posts
Posted by tatans on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 12:25 PM
Yahoo $60.00/bbl I worked for an oil company who refused to pay us peasants(non-directors) a decent wage, one of the geologists told us "quit complaining" go buy some shares in the company, it makes millions a year, get in on it ! I took his advice and am now reaping the benefits, you cannot imagine the obscene profits these boys make, aaahhhh, free enterprise.---keep buying those big SUV"s, you're making me wealthy(my car gets 39 mpg) I just talked to a guy who drove a new VW from Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, B.C. on one tank of gas and drove around for 3 days before buying some gas--who cares what gas costs at those rates.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 3:06 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

I dont think the problem lies in the lack of refineries. It lies with the people in America who insist on buying cars that on the highway dont even get 20 mpg. Who needs an h2? No one does. There are many cars out there that get great gas mileage, that, should people realize they do not need gas guzzling cars, could help with gas prices. i would love to see gas go to five dollars a gallon, then laugh when people who think that suvs are the best thing, cant drive them anymore. 6 bucks a gallon, I wish....


I'll tell you why. Americans are a self reliant people. If it cannot haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood, forget it.

If you cannot pack a baseball team in it and take em to pizza forget that too.

The old Station wagons I grew up in is considered quite the romance killer today.

No one wants a tiny 4 cylinder car that shuts down a interstate every time it tries to merge on.

No. We demand space, power and accesories.

Im a-sticking with that old pete I once drove so long ago. Perfect for me.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 3:19 PM
In the 1980's when the oil & gas industry took a nose dive, Oil bottomed out at $14. a barrell in 1989. In just 16 yrs, the price has jumped from a low of $14. to now on the verge of $60. Pretty scary.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 3:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by sammythebull

In the 1980's when the oil & gas industry took a nose dive, Oil bottomed out at $14. a barrell in 1989. In just 16 yrs, the price has jumped from a low of $14. to now on the verge of $60. Pretty scary.


Not if you have oil stocks...lol

LC

P.S. Wish I hadn't sold my Exxon after the Exxon Valdez now...
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,015 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 3:40 PM
We'll pay $268 per barrel for carbonated sugar water, why not $60 for a barrel of oil?

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 4:12 PM
Or 660 a barrel for ink.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • 400 posts
Posted by martin.knoepfel on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 4:18 PM
If we take into account inflation since the early 80's, oil should be at 80 $/barrel to equalize the price payed a quarter of a century ago.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 5:14 PM
But that's the whole point, we don't need pickups to haul 4X8 plywood or several bales of hay. We can do as the Europeans do, rent a lolly when we need to haul freight, or have it delivered. The Europeans have learned the tricks, having paid twice to three times as much for gas than we do.....

In Europe, a VW Lupo or VW Polo are considered economical, at over 50 MPG, whereas in America many still think 20 MPG is economical...... WRONG!
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 5:57 PM
All things considered, I think the most I've ever paid for gas was $1.359-in 1979. It's all reletive. How much is a 5 cent cup of coffee?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:00 PM
I don't care how high the Coffee goes up! That's still not going to stop me from buying my Coffee. I need my cup of Coffee in the morning or I go realy crazy.
Allan.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:02 PM
Larry, HighIron, and Murphy, you fellows have it right. My dad always asked me, when I was younger and we were going through the oil crisis in the mid-70's, why would you drink soda that costs more per unit volume than gasoline?! I don't hear that Pepsi or Coca Cola are falling on tough times. MacDonalds and Big Boy are doing okay. NBA and pro-ball are just fine, thank you very much. So when we find that gas is driving us (pun intended) to ruin, I am guessing that all of the others aforementioned will have closed shop due to diverted dollars. Okay, I'm gonna hold my breath.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:24 PM
how can you compare things like carbonated sugar water prices to gas? thats like comparing caviar to the price of cement, they are totally unrelated....
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 12:45 AM
There is this attitude that one will pay whatever to get their gallon of gas, and forgot any lessons of supply and demand of the 1970s. Oh, they will remember the lessons when one has to wait in line 5 hours to fill his gas tank when supply don't meet demand at any price....nothing like seeing everyone top off their tanks every day or every other day. Of course, they are rich enough to hire someone to fill their car with gas every day when supply don't meet demand.

In my opinion we are only a couple of years away from supply not meeting demand at whatever price. It was so bad during the 1970s oil embargo one member of the family had to keep a watch on their car's license plates and go without sleeping. People would do anything to change their license plates from an even number one day to an odd number the next, especially those on the road.....much less stealing your gas..... Where did you think the plot of the movie the Road Warrior came from?

However, the next time the supply panic hits, there won't be an embargo to lift.....

I won't change my ways, if I want to drive a hummer, or a large pickup/suv that don't get 20 MPG, I'll pay...... Gotta have that HEMI.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Still on the other side of the tracks.
  • 397 posts
Posted by cpbloom on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 4:20 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

I dont think the problem lies in the lack of refineries. It lies with the people in America who insist on buying cars that on the highway dont even get 20 mpg. Who needs an h2? No one does. There are many cars out there that get great gas mileage, that, should people realize they do not need gas guzzling cars, could help with gas prices. i would love to see gas go to five dollars a gallon, then laugh when people who think that suvs are the best thing, cant drive them anymore. 6 bucks a gallon, I wish....


I somewhat agree that some will pay whatever it cost for gas as long as they have it, but.....at some point the cost per gallon will start to exceed what people will pay (it won't take 5 bucks a gallon for me; I'd quit driving at 4).

At one time we didn't have SUV's or minivans, now people are convinced they can't do anything with out them. It seems like everytime I see one its almost always just has ONE passenger (the driver), so let's stop the misconception that most people that have one NEEDS one........because most don't!

And let's stop the misconception that 4 cylinder cars have poor acceleration/power because my 2003 Toyota Corrola doesn't have any problem merging onto the interstate!

All this talk of justifying why one should own a SUV/Mini Van on a railroad message board where others try and justify why we should keep Amtrak makes no sense to me. [:(!]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 4:57 AM
I drive a corolla with a stick, it can get up and go. That is my primary commute car. It still gets 30 miles to gallon despite it's 1988 vintage.

Regarding the misconception with failure to merge onto a freeway.. I am not budging from my position. Every morning I deal with one specific on ramp that forces people to the left because mergers in their big cars fail to speed up to highway speed properly.

It has gotten dangerous so the regulars form in the left lane about 5 miles before that specific onramp so we can breeze by safe from the lane changing and braking. The number of cylinders is really irrevelant when people dont understand how to merge properly.

This year my family has ruthlessly paid off thousands in credit card debt. By christmas we will essentially be debt free and in a position to keep buying gasoline at whatever price.

The credit cards were the true enemy with the interest and we are just about finished retiring that debt that was costing hundreds in interest.

We know that the gas will get expensive. We adjusted our work places to be closer to home and not have to worry about a 60+ mile commute. We did alot of work to ensure that our cars are getting the mileage they need to.

So, let them raise the gas prices. I dont care. even at 10 dollars a gallon we would need to buy approx 200 dollars worth a week and still can meet our commute needs. So, we are not rich, but at 7.00 a gallon we can still maintain our lifestyle. But anything over probably will force us to make cuts somewhere.

Part of the attitude regarding the use of gasoline stems from the fact that I used to see thousands of dollars a month in Desiel fuel at 3.50-4.00 a gallon in some areas of the USA. I am old enough to recall when the oil embargo hit. That was the end of the muscle cars and 70 mph speed limit in those days.

SUV's? I suspect people drive them either as a status symbol "Hey look at me!" or use them as battering rams to force thier way thru traffic. Aggressive driving in the mid atlantic states provide testamony to my theory.

You want to save energy? Then we as a society need to consider the emerging Hybrid Technology that can provide a 600 mile weekly commute for 20 dollars one time on a fill up. Now THAT is attractive. But I refuse to consider buying one the size of the old Geos. They cannot provide any meaningful protection in a accident.

We used to pay that much a week on several vehicles when we both commuted far away to work. The locals here with thier big pickups and powerful vehicles are staying with them too. There is too much work to be done with the farm to let them go.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 5:06 AM
Well, Don, if truth be told, my 5.7 Hemi gets 27 to 28 mpg on the freeway, and 16 to 17 city driving, and thats with all five of us inthe car, and luggage too.

Seems technology has gotten around to making a multi displacement system that works.

Although this is starting to sound like the tree huggers vs. the rational people...

But it tickles me to death listening to folks grip about the oil use of a car...the whole time wearing nylon windbreakers, plastic shoes, talking on a cell phone and writing on a machine made mostly from...plastic, a nice petroleum product.
But I guess its just easier to point out the car as the bad guy..after all, wouldnt want to be asked to give up your cell phone, or your tennis shoes, or your computer, or any of your personel creature comforts.

Ed
QUOTE: [i]

I won't change my ways, if I want to drive a hummer, or a large pickup/suv that don't get 20 MPG, I'll pay...... Gotta have that HEMI.

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin TX
  • 4,941 posts
Posted by spbed on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 6:58 AM
Well at least yesterday oil fell about $0.50 per barrel

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,015 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 7:20 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

But I guess its just easier to point out the car as the bad guy..after all, wouldnt want to be asked to give up your cell phone, or your tennis shoes, or your computer, or any of your personel creature comforts.
Ed

Give up my sneakers??? Then I'd have to wear leather shoes and those protesters would be mad at me![;)]

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin TX
  • 4,941 posts
Posted by spbed on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 12:30 PM
I just finish reading a report that I found published by

www. sprott.com

If they are any where near correct the future looks rather bleak

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:41 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

But I guess its just easier to point out the car as the bad guy..after all, wouldnt want to be asked to give up your cell phone, or your tennis shoes, or your computer, or any of your personel creature comforts.
Ed

Give up my sneakers??? Then I'd have to wear leather shoes and those protesters would be mad at me![;)]


Thats OK, just invite them out to lunch and split a burger with them, works fine with me...[;)]

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 2:08 PM
I have to agree that kicking 4 bangers for not being able to merge on the freeways is a bad aurgument. I have a harder time with chowderheads in their giant SUV's tooling onto the freeway at 40mph then merging (aka forcing) their way over to the carpool lane where they then "speed" along at 55-60mph, bottlenecking the whole dam lane, I could cruise my Samaurai at 75mph, and never had a problem merging it, so that aurgument is naught....

The bigger problem is the notion that somehow gas is supposed to be cheap and people have just gotten downright spoiled by thier giant comfy lounge chair on wheels, the notion of going to a smaller more economical car, in spite of the fact that many of them are just as luxurious and comfortable, is downright offensive to them..." What me give up my Behemothmobile? Sacralige! If I sit in a smaller car I might actually have to interact with my kids instead of innoculating them with video monitors.."

People will continue to drive what ever they want and there alway will be those that will fill the tanks of their H2's no matter what the price. I plan to keep my pick-up as I need it for weekend work around the house, but I'm also planning on getting a portable bike or folding electric scooter and using the Metro Goldline from home to work the next time gas prices get up to $2.50 a gallon. I just wish my wife had the option, but theirs no rail service to her work, luckily her car gets 30+mpg. I'd like to pick up a Smart car specifically for commuting in.

BTW SUV sales across the board have TANKED recently, GM banked its future on cheap gas prices and high profit SUV sales now the chickens have come home to roost and GM is neck deep in red ink! Like it or not, the future of automotive travel here and elsewhere is going to be in small econo-cars, hybrids-small and large ones, and alternative fuels -CNG, methonal, propane, etc. Gas is going to continue to climb in price as more of the rest of the world demands its share of the pie.

Maybe more oil will be found and come from other sources, but the simple truth is that oil is not, or ever will be cheap again. the sooner we accept that fact the sooner we can adopt an appropriate energy policy, unfortunatly our current administration wants nothing to do with "appropriate" when "profit" remains the goal of their Big Oil supporters.

   Have fun with your trains

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy