Sunday, March 20, 2005
Most Fantasies Involving Oil Are Sexy
The Republicans are definitely enjoying a fantasy, but it's not the kind people write to certain magazines with. That fantasy is all about the oil under ANWAR in Alaska. For those playing the home game, that's one of the last remaining virgin (I'm sorry, I have to keep the sex theme going) territories in the United States. It's a massive wildlife reserve, home to an untold number of species.
In describing the oil under ANWAR, Republican politicians use three expressions: could be, possibly, and potentially. That's right...they're not even sure there's a producing quantity (that's "awl bidness" lingo for enough to turn a profit).
Another part of this fantasy is that the world oil markets are running out of supply. That's not true. As the Saudi ambassador asked in a press conference recently, they can give us all the oil we want, but what will we do with it if we can't refine it? No refineries have been built in the U.S. in thirty years. All existing refineries are at capacity, many are experiencing equipment failures (as thirty-year-old refineries do from time to time), and all are preparing the shift from winter-blend fuel production to spring-and-summer-blend (which will really slow down output and raise prices). Oil pumped from the earth (i.e. crude oil) has to be altered and made useful (i.e. refined). Let me make this clear: it's not a raw material supply issue. It's a production issue.
If you need more evidence, take my employer. I work for an energy resources company with prospects in Texas and Oklahoma. We're not looking for oil. We're looking for natural gas.
Don't forget, the Bushies say the Saudis (whose Princess contributed money to some of the 9/11 hijackers) are our allies in the "War on Terror."
We're told by the Bushies that this is a national security issue. If we really want to secure the country, we'll start putting more incentives into the research of petroleum alternatives. Biodiesel (made mostly from corn) is extremely promising...and we can grow all the corn we want. Oil will eventually run out.
The Republicans will likely continue pushing this oil-laden fantasy for some time, but it's not one that gets me excited by any stretch of the imagination.
In describing the oil under ANWAR, Republican politicians use three expressions: could be, possibly, and potentially. That's right...they're not even sure there's a producing quantity (that's "awl bidness" lingo for enough to turn a profit).
Another part of this fantasy is that the world oil markets are running out of supply. That's not true. As the Saudi ambassador asked in a press conference recently, they can give us all the oil we want, but what will we do with it if we can't refine it? No refineries have been built in the U.S. in thirty years. All existing refineries are at capacity, many are experiencing equipment failures (as thirty-year-old refineries do from time to time), and all are preparing the shift from winter-blend fuel production to spring-and-summer-blend (which will really slow down output and raise prices). Oil pumped from the earth (i.e. crude oil) has to be altered and made useful (i.e. refined). Let me make this clear: it's not a raw material supply issue. It's a production issue.
If you need more evidence, take my employer. I work for an energy resources company with prospects in Texas and Oklahoma. We're not looking for oil. We're looking for natural gas.
Don't forget, the Bushies say the Saudis (whose Princess contributed money to some of the 9/11 hijackers) are our allies in the "War on Terror."
We're told by the Bushies that this is a national security issue. If we really want to secure the country, we'll start putting more incentives into the research of petroleum alternatives. Biodiesel (made mostly from corn) is extremely promising...and we can grow all the corn we want. Oil will eventually run out.
The Republicans will likely continue pushing this oil-laden fantasy for some time, but it's not one that gets me excited by any stretch of the imagination.
