More and more, drivers ask about mileage. A few years ago, nobody cared. |
Natural gas is the real worry. Unfortunately we can't import the missing production. This is largely a domestic market. |
Natural gas production is still constrained as a result of the hurricanes. Refinery capacity is constrained for the same reason. Europe has been cold as well, which could limit heating oil imports. |
Natural-gas prices peak in about the middle of December. That's because once you get past that point you begin to get a better feel for the idea that you're probably going to have enough gas to get through the season. |
No. Not really. Crude (oil) prices will remain pretty strong. |
Normally we base our forecasts on seasonal patterns, now seasonal patterns are disrupted. |
Not every hurricane is an Andrew or an Ivan. The prospect of it becoming an incredibly destructive storm was being built into the price. This doesn't look like it will be another Ivan even if it strengthens. |
OPEC is not going to do anything. They can't really raise production and they won't cut it with prices so high. |
OPEC's irrelevant in so far that they can't do anything to bring down prices. |
OPEC's irrelevant insofar that they can't do anything to bring down prices. 'If they had spare capacity they would have already been using it. They become relevant again if prices fall and they decide to cut back on output. |
Overall, the report suggests that demand will recover this year, while supply growth won't be all that robust. Thus, the markets will likely remain tight. |
Recent experience suggests that until you get gasoline prices to about $3 a gallon it just doesn't seem to have an impact. |
Residual demand is down from a year ago, which may be a sign that natural gas has fallen enough for some consumers to switch back. |
Seventy is, basically, already here. |
Some of the medium range forecast models have been pointing to a return to colder weather. You're getting enough private forecasters making that call where it's starting to have an impact. |