I dont think I buy that argument. Inventories may be down in some parts of the country, but not so much in others if at all. But gas is going up all over the country. Also, if gas inventories are down that much, demand certainly hasn't caused an increase in the demand for oil ($34 when I looked this morning.
I think its more a function of the spotlight not being on the oil companies now, and they know they can get away with it, and no one will make a fuss. I'm pretty sure the other issue is that the dem's are now in full control, and they are happy that gas is going up. (and Im not saying that as a political statement, but I think most people would agree that, as a whole, the current power base in the dem party wants to bring a halt to petroleum based energy (notice I said petroleum, not fossil fuel)).