Abstract This paper explains that one of the strangest issues about gasprices is that, even though they are rising rapidly, the variance of how much gasoline costs per gallon on any given day across the country is fascinating. The author points out that many people believe that the reason gasprices have risen so high is that America basically is at war in the Middle East now; however, there are gas stations across the country that do not buy gasoline from the Middle East and instead purchase it from gasoline and oil suppliers within the United States and other countries. The paper stresses that gasprices are rising so rapidly because demand is coming from not only consumer transportation but also from almost everything, which is brought to the various grocers, supermarkets, department stores and other stores, which comes by truck at least for some part of its journey. This increased price of transportation will result in increased prices for every item in the transportation-based economy.
From the Paper "Naturally, the reasons behind why gas prices are rising are important but how gas prices and their rise is affecting the economy is even more significant. There are several affects on the economy. First, those that are involved with the ownership of gasoline stations, oil refineries, and others that work closely with this type of product are seeing higher profits, but they also have to spend more money for the items that they need to create an end product for the purchaser of gasoline (Kirms, 2005). In other words, companies that buy oil from the Middle East and other suppliers are making money because the gas prices are so high. On the other hand, these same individuals must also pay more money than they used to pay to get the barrels of oil that they need to create gasoline. Many people think that the economy is being affected generally by gas companies and oil companies gouging the public to make huge profits. In reality, however, most of the gasoline companies and many of the oil companies are not actually making any more money, because it is all being spent to purchase what is needed to finally get the gasoline to the consumer."
Tags: stations, transportation, war, profit, variance
Abstract This paper offers a detailed overview on the price of light, sweet crude oil on NYMEX in 2005, noting its highs, lows and its relative cost to previous months and years. It continues to discuss the reasons for the price surges namely, the war in Iraq and hurricane Ivan. The paper highlights that the movement of gas and oil is similar to that of the business cycle. In conclusion, the author of the paper offers an opinion as to why the gas and oil hike will not cause a recession as in 1973.
From the Paper "Drilling for crude oil generally moves with oil prices. A closer relationship is more evident prior to 1998. As OPEC pushed prices upward by restricting production in 1999, however, the relationship weakened. The overhang of excess capacity in OPEC created the possibility that oil prices might fall. The result was a muted and delayed response in oil drilling. Oil drilling did not pick up until growing demand pushed OPEC closer to full capacity. The story is similar today. Political uncertainty and OPEC production restraint have pushed world oil prices upward, although excess capacity is nearly 10 percent of world oil consumption at 6 million barrels per day. The overhang of capacity creates the possibility of a sharp oil price decline and adds considerable risk to future oil prices, which discourages exploration and development activities."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of gasoline prices in the United States and offer some insight as to why they are so high. Specifically, it answers the question "Do Americans really have a right to complain?" It also discusses European gasprices, and why they are higher than America's, as well as some alternative fuels that might help ease gasprices in the United States.
From the Paper "American gas prices may be higher than we have ever encountered before, but they are much lower than gas prices around the world. American drivers are spoiled. They tend to drive large, inefficient vehicles, and then rant about the high price of gasoline. They drive long distances for work and play, using more gasoline per capita than residents of many foreign countries. American drivers also rely heavily on their vehicles, rather than using more efficient and fuel-friendly alternatives, like carpooling or public transportation. We depend too much on foreign oil, a resource that is non-renewable. We need to develop more alternatives to our dependence on gasoline by researching more efficient fuels and automobiles, like the hybrids that have recently been developed by Honda and Toyota, which use a mixture of gasoline and electricity to provide better gas mileage while using less gasoline. Our dependency on oil must stop, or one day, our children will wake up to world without gasoline."
Abstract The paper discusses the environmental issues connected to global warming. The paper suggests that by doubling gasprices in the current markets, the public would need to counteract these costs by using public transportation. The paper explains that the use of public buses would also negate the need for vehicles further polluting the ozone and atmosphere. The paper concludes that with global warming reaching new temperature highs, there is little wonder that many small cities are implementing cost efficient and clean forms of fuel within their public transportation policies.
From the Paper "The current issues surrounding global warming is being directed at the growing amount of C02 emissions that automobiles release into the atmosphere. At the current rate of global warming the statistics relate that the planet is getting 1 degree warmer every year human beings release these dangerous fumes into the air. For the past ten years Earth has been decidedly becoming a warmer place to live. However, global warming does not necessarily mean warmer air or climates, but is usually related to warmer oceans. Some biological experts feel that warmer oceans contributed to the 23 Atlantic hurricanes of 2005, as well as to the reduction of natural habitats for animals near the polar circles that will become extinct if carbon Monoxide continues to melt the ice caps."
Abstract Over the past few years, the American economy has seen a gradual rise in gasoline prices. The paper examines factors that, in the author's opinion, contribute to these price increases and then attempts to explain them.
From the Paper "American's made a conscious choice to buy the cars that they did. In the early 2000s everyone was so apt to go for the big SUV, feeling that they were safer and more reliable than regular cars. Sadly at that time, automakers had shifted their focus to SUVs insuring that they were exactly that. There was no emphasis placed on fuel economy or otherwise. However the entire picture was not presented--at least not accurately.
"The commute has changed. The daily dynamic has changed. Suddenly global warming and the environment have been pushed to the forefront. Slapped in the face, America has decided to forge ahead once again as an innovator and develop other means of conveyance and supplant its dependence on oil--foreign or otherwise. Alternative means of fueling our daily lives--as well as our economy--are hopefully the means to put the American economy back on top. Similar to the industrial revolution and the silicone explosion, leading the way in alternative fuel technologies can--and will--be the way for America to regain its technological supremacy."
Abstract The paper discusses the increase in gas costs and its impact on our everyday life. The paper explains that utilities, food prices, clothing items and appliances are all affected by the spiraling gasprices and this impacts U.S. consumers' spendable income in a negative way. The paper looks at the uselessness of worrying about gasprices, however and points instead to the advantages of practically conserving gas. The paper shows the futility of protesting what can't be changed and suggests instead to work on invoking change on something worthwhile that needs to be changed.
From the Paper "In respect to costs of gas and the economic affects, one may choose to consider contributing factors in an optimistic positive "light" or one may consciously or unconsciously choose to reiterate current doomsayers' claims. Quotes regarding the adage that purportedly reflect whether a person is an optimist or a pessimist is noted to be contingent on whether they choose to think a glass is half empty or half full. In a sense, choices an individual is forced to make by the changes in arenas affected by gas prices in the United States could perhaps in a sense mirror whether their mind set is basically negative or positive."
Abstract This paper examines the debate over oil drilling in Alaska. It suggests that it is not necessary even given current and possibly future gas shortages in America. It gives various reasons to the adverse affect of using Alaskan oil reserves including the Exxon Valdez incident, the development of supplementary energy sources, and environmental issues.
From the paper:
"As gasprices have risen over the past year, the term "crisis" has been tossed around a great deal, suggesting a number of different possibilities. Among these: Americans may soon run out of gas, Americans may soon be paying five or ten dollars per gallon, and the American will stall utterly if there is not enough cheap gas available. In fact, of course, none of these speculations is true. What is true, and what will be discussed in this paper, is that these higher gasprices are indeed a wake-up call to Americans that something must be done to change our expectations about where our energy will be coming from in the next century."
Tags: environment, energy, Exxon-Valdez, fuel, oil, fuel, prices, energy
Abstract This paper explains that the economic performance of General Motors (GM) has been declining steadily for the past six years to the point of being on the verge of bankruptcy because it lacked the vision to anticipate rising oil and gasprices worldwide, based on increased international demand for these resources. The paper points out that, unlike more forward-looking foreign car companies including Toyota and Honda, GM has not focused at all on producing a hybrid automobile, still producing far too many over-sized and gas-guzzling cars. The paper states that higher gasprices seem to be here to stay; hopefully, GM management will learn from its past mistakes.
From the Paper "A direct negative correlation clearly exists, then, between high gas prices and the declining profits of GM, and has existed for some time. Further, as of April 2006: "GM said its April sales fell 11 percent, primarily due to a 21 percent decrease in car sales. Truck and SUV sales were down 2 percent." Oil shortage in general (i.e., decreasing growth in production, caused by some oil refineries being off-line, as a result of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina); and unstable governments and economies in oil-producing countries (e.g., Iraq) have also resulted in decreases in oil exports, thereby shrinking the oil supply and thereby raising the demand for (and the price of) oil even further."
Abstract The paper discusses the growing amount of carbon dioxide emissions that automobiles release into the atmosphere, causing global warming. The paper also looks at the growing need for less costly public transportation due to high gasprices. The paper then considers doubling gasprices and creating a low cost or free public transportation system that would allow limit air pollution. The paper shows the importance of cities implementing cost efficient and clean forms of fuel within their public transportation policies.
From the Paper "The current issues surrounding global warming is being directed at the growing amount of C02 emissions that automobiles release into the atmosphere. At the current rate of global warming the statistics relate that the planet is getting 1 degree warmer every year human beings release these dangerous fumes into the air. For the past ten years Earth has been decidedly becoming a warmer place to live. However, global warming does not necessarily mean warmer air or climates, but is usually related to warmer oceans. Some biological experts feel that warmer oceans contributed to the 23 Atlantic hurricanes of 2005, as well as to the reduction of natural habitats for animals near the polar circles that will become extinct if carbon Monoxide continues to melt the ice caps."
Abstract The paper presents a government intervention program for lowering Canadian prices in relation to oil and gas. The approach this paper takes is to lower federal taxes for a direct and immediate impact. Although there are follow-on effects that will have to account for the lost revenues, this approach will lower prices during the summer driving season, which is the goal of this intervention.
Abstract The article "Gasoline Prices Fact or Fiction: A Primer on Supply and Demand" by Tom Lehman, reviews a number of theories about the rise in gasprices and determines whether or not these theories are fact or fiction. The paper shows that the ideas have risen over the past few years, especially following natural disasters.
From the Paper "The first idea presented is that "Gas prices are controlled entirely by wholesalers and big refinery oligopolists who illegally collude and profiteer at consumer expense." This idea has been deemed fictional because gas prices are controlled by supply and demand. This theory completely ignores the demand for gasoline. The demand for gas is price inelastic because when prices change consumers buying habits change much less than the change in price. Gas is a necessity and with the rise and fall of prices consumers do not have the time to react. Gasoline has very few, if any close substitutes and in the short run consumers don't really have a solution. Consumers could go out and buy hybrid cars but that would be a long term solution that would cost a significant amount of capital up front, much more than the temporary rise is prices."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the price of gasoline and how we need to increase gasoline prices to prevent all our national policies from being determined by our thirst for oil. According to the paper, US foreign policy has become a hostage to ensuring adequate supplies of imported oil.
Outline:
Context of the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research and Review of the Problem
Crude Oil Prices and its Impact on Gasoline Prices Political Impact of Higher Energy Prices Objective of Study: To Advocate Higher Gasoline Prices Potential Benefits of Higher Energy Prices Environmental Impact
Global Warming
Significance of the Study
Research Design & Methodology
Discussion
From the Paper "The carbon dioxide produced by motor gasoline in 2003 was equivalent to 311 million metric tons of carbon [Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2005]. If we could achieve even 10% improvement in energy efficiency through use of lighter cars, it would save million of tons of oil and also reduce the carbon emission by 30 million tons. The 10% target is not just possible it is very realistic and even now a family car is about 25% more fuel efficient than a light truck (a term also applied to SUVs). The federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards set the fuel economy goals for new passenger cars at 27.5 miles per gallon (mpg). The regulations do not classify SUVs as cars but as light trucks. The light trucks only have to achieve 20.7 mpg. Even this is taken as an average of all light trucks and some SUVs operate at 12 mpg and can remain on the road legally. Some SUVs like Ford Excursions don't even qualify as light trucks and are not subject to CAFE standard."
Abstract This paper is a presentation of a marketing plan for a mass-market product. The authors segmented the market into a primary market, Group X that is environmental friendly, and a secondary market, Group Y that loves the outdoors but is more down scale. The paper continues to describe how they would sell successfully the grill and discusses why each action is taken.
Table of Contents
Market Segmentation
Target Market
Positioning
Competition
Product
Price Place (Distribution)
Promotions
Environmental Forces in Marketing
From the Paper "The Char-Broil LP Gas Patio Caddie will be positioned through advertisements and commercials. This caddie will be positioned in be two different circumstances. The photos in these advertisements will be taken in parks or out in the open. They will feature couples that are enjoying themselves cooking with this small, portable grill. The idea will be to convey a feeling of happiness because this couple has the opportunity to use a grill instead of having to start a fire and cook off the ground. The other advertisements will show families with a small backyard that are trying to fit everything they want into that backyard and then have a grill that fits in tight places that would otherwise be unused."
This paper is an industry analysis of the United States oil and gas industry, excluding the industry-related exploration and production pre-refining activities.
Abstract This paper explains, using Porter Five Forces Model, that there is a limited threat of new entrants cutting into Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Gulf, and Exxon's market share because the industry is fairly oligopolistic, with only a few giant firms controlling the majority of the industry even on the global scale. The author points out that the world's oil-producing nations are very influential in the supply and demand factors associated with oil production and consumption through the Organization of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC). The paper stresses that, as globalization increases the world's demand for oil, it will be critical for the oil-producing nations to maintain a steady cost per barrel, while, at the same time, meeting the high production demands because there are few new technological advances or regulatory controls available to overshadow the basic economic formula of supply and demand. OPEC promises to control pricing for the industry. Tables.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Industry Overview
Five Forces Model
Major Competitors and Strategic Group Mapping
Future Trends
Opportunities and Threats
Conclusion
Appendix A: Oil Industry
From the Paper "The oil and gas industry are driven by the price of crude oil. The industry was shaped in the late 1990's when the price of oil lagged around $10 a barrel forcing many smaller independent companies into seeking bankruptcy protection and the larger oil companies like Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Gulf and Exxon to look for partners through acquisition or merger. This entailed reduced refining and exploration activities and less gas production. However, today, the industry must contend with a new global economy that has increased demand for energy to record levels, which has allowed a robust rebound in the oil and gas industry. ?Oil prices advanced closer to $50 a barrel Monday as domestic and foreign supply concerns persist amid strong global demand.? "
Abstract In this article, the writer presents a detailed examination of the topic of suspected price gouging by oil companies. Using concrete recent examples of well known companies, including Exxon Mobile, the writer explores allegations of price gouging and argues that it is unfair for oil companies to take advantage of consumers when consumers have supported them for years. According to the writer, social responsibility should supercede corporate responsibility. The writer concludes that the time has come for the oil companies to recognize their social responsibilities and protect the consumers who have kept them in business since their inception. Further, the writer claims that the oil companies need to lower their prices so that the consumer can again trust the prices are fair to everyone involved. The writer includes in this paper approximately 30 pages of source copies.
Outline:
Introduction
The Problem
Current GasPrices and Price History
Conclusion
References
Source Copies
From the Paper "According to studies conducted with regards to gasoline refiners are getting more of a profit out of each gallon now than they were at this time a year ago. Crude producers are getting an additional 47 cents a gallon. After Katrina and the price of oil company products began to increase rapidly, Congress held a special session in which many experts and oil company representatives testified regarding the accusation of price gouging. The companies maintained their belief that it was not their work that was price gouging but it was the retailers who sold the gasoline that were participating in price gouging. Retail representatives responded that it was nonsense, pointing out that their customers would not remain loyal if they suddenly began upping the price of gasoline compared to the retailer across the street."
