Saudis 'resist Bush oil pressure'
Saudi Arabia rejects a US appeal to raise oil production saying there is no new demand, US officials say.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/m...ast/7404040.stm
Fox News just reported that the Saudis have decided to increase production because they are now concerned that if prices continues to remain high then demand will drop. Well go figure!
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
I know that, at least up here, prices have reached the point where it is beginning to have an impact on the choices people are making. Not only have drivers reduced their speeds to conserve fuel, but I have notices that there are fewer gas guzzler cars on the road. My daughter and her husband have been car shopping because their baby is due soon. They wanted something economical and with good gas mileage. Their choices were limited because the dealers cannot keep these cars in stock. I have noticed more hybrids on the road. People are traveling less. I had to order heating fuel today. I only had 100 gallons delivered and it was $500. I think the Saudi's concerns are valid. People are tired of the high fuel costs and are making lifestyle changes to reduce consumption. If something doesn't give, of course the demand will go down. I just have to wonder what took them so long to figure this one out.
International Level: Activist / Political Participation: 32 3.2%
The theory I have put elsewhere is that they may:
1. Simply just been enjoying the benefits of higher prices since they are going nuclear and will need the 'extra' dollars.
2. Did not want to look as though Bush convinced them to increase oil production which was the purpose of his last visit to the region some weeks ago.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
JB:
I think #2 is more valid than #1. The Saudis already have very tight ties with the US and get benefits and penalties with that daily. The oil kings of Saudi do not want to appear to be lap dogs of GWB. Their close government ties with the US win them little favor in the islamic world and that has been shown many times, so yes, I think they preferred to make this look more like independent thought and potentially a offering to help a worldwide situation. They get to be the good guys!
Also, if I were in that business, I would try to keep you reliant on oil for as long as I could. That would maximize my profits over the long haul. The oil kings in Saudi have a strong sense of family. I am sure they want to hand something down to their sons, so they need us to stay dependent. If oil becomes too high, there will be investment into other energy sources and quickly. If you bring the price down a bit, there is a good chance that we will all swallow this increase and just deal with it and not invest much into alternatives. Happened before...can happen again easily. If pumping a few more barrels eases fears and lessens the cry for alternatives sources, all the better for their business in the long run. If the price continues and stays too high for many, there is a chance that the demand for your product over the long haul or near future (1-10 years) may seriously decline.
Additionally, if it were my business, I wouldnt want the US doing any more exploration for oil. The US is one of the largest producers of oil in the world. I would want to make sure that the US remains severly dependent on foreign oil. The US does have reserves that are not planned to be tapped, but if it becomes a choice between driving cars and some of the wildlife reserves...well I can only guess who will win that one.
They are rich beyond their wildest dreams now...they really dont need that much for nukes.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
Saudi oil output to rise in July
Saudi Arabia will increase its oil production by 200,000 barrels a day from July, its oil minister tells the United Nations.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7455570.stm