The price of oil is not due to US demand, but GLOBAL demand. India and China are ramping up demand at a rate unseen in the past. Other economies are also contributing. So world demand is up. Add to that the fear over potential supply interruptions due to the Turkish/Kurds issue and concern over Iran and speculators are driving up what they'll pay for a barrel.
As to US fuel supply, from what I've read recently, US refineries are pretty much up to full capacity, so even if you open reserves in Alaska, Florida or elsewhere there's not much room at the US plants to turn it into gas and distillates (diesel, heating oil).
And speaking of heating oil, of course, we're in the winter season and distillate production is going into that rather than road diesel so prices rise. Notice how its risen much faster lately than gas? We've been seeing that nearly every fall for several years.
So back to supply and refining capacity. If you think prices are high now, imagine what will happen if the US has to import refined fuel to meet domestic demand because no one wants a new refinery in their "back yard", which, by the way, would take years and years to build and bring on line.
Anyway, stop blaming the oil companies. While they probably have a bit of an impact, that's not where the big price spikes are coming from. Yeah, they'll take the money and run if offered. I mean, wouldn't you? If you can get $93 for every barell of oil you can pump (when in the past your got maybe $30) would you hold back? You'd pump every drop you can. So they are. They aren't setting the prices, speculators are throwing the money at them.
As to uncapping unused wells, I can't respond to that. I'm sure economics and environmental issues are involved. But as a business, oil companies aren't going to invest a huge amount of money to get them going if they can't be sure they'll continue to make good money on the investment. If prices drop to $50 or $60 again, these wells may go negative. That's also a reason new refineries aren't being built. They cost a ton and by the time they are built, prices may not support the investment.
So its not just US demand and greedy oil companies any more. Its global. Get used to it.
OK. I'll step down off the box now.
Next...
Jay