| As oil supplies become increasingly scarce and | | | | driven per vehicle in a given year, has also increased |
| demand rises, oil prices are steadily increasing. | | | | steadily over the last decade. While industries in the US |
| Disruptions in the supply chain may occur at oil wells, | | | | are becoming less reliant on oil and more |
| during transportation from wells to refineries, at | | | | energy-efficient, increased consumer use of oil offsets |
| refineries, or along the pipelines that transport oil to | | | | these advances.Historically, oil prices were affected |
| different parts of the country. In 2005, some of the | | | | largely by major political events and wars. Since 1983, |
| most powerful hurricanes in recent history passed | | | | crude oil has been traded as a commodity on the floor |
| through the Gulf of Mexico and hit the major oil refining | | | | of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). |
| regions of the Gulf coast. These events had a | | | | Often volatile market forces are increasingly driving oil |
| profound impact on oil prices across the United States | | | | prices, and the earlier checks that could be instituted |
| that will be felt for some time to come.Alongside | | | | through governmental price controls or production and |
| supply issues, increased demand also plays a role in | | | | refining quantity caps are less powerful. The stabilizing |
| driving up oil prices. Demand for oil varies, just like | | | | forces of controlled production and supply no longer |
| demand for any other commodity. Seasonal increases | | | | counter the sudden swings in crude oil futures that |
| in oil consumption occur each winter. While recent data | | | | violence in Nigeria, or war in Iraq, may induce. As oil |
| suggests that consumers are buying fewer sport utility | | | | supplies continue to dwindle, alternative fuels such as |
| vehicles and trucks that consume large amounts of | | | | compressed natural gas may help make up some of |
| gas, these vehicles are still extremely popular. The | | | | the shortfall in energy needs. |
| number of vehicles per family, and average distances | | | | |