The Oil Drum

The details are out on the weekly crude oil statistics. In sum, a larger drop in crude stocks was offset by higher gasoline stocks and lower gasoline demand than expected. Oil sold off initially, rallied to $100.10, and has now settled around $99.25. At $100 oil, isn't it strange that gasoline at the pump is $3.05. Are the refiners working for free? And if so, why would they do that? Details of this weeks TWIP below the fold:

US Crude Stocks -Thanks -Khebab

Not too long ago, I nearly quit writing, because I was losing control of my free time. I came to a compromise solution that has worked out well for me: I have continued to write, but I have reduced time dedicated to debates, correspondence, and addressing questions or criticisms about my essays. It is now apparent that it was not the writing, but instead the peripheral stuff that was really eating up all my time.

However, as a result of the change, some comments and questions that are directed at me go unanswered. Sometimes someone will make a criticism or comment that I would like to address, but I know it will lead to several more responses. In order to "catch up" with some of this without once again getting involved in protracted exchanges, on my way out of town for a business trip I put up a brief post inviting readers to ask questions or make comments. I hadn't originally intended to post it here, but there were quite a few topics that have been discussed at length here at TOD. So, I went through, picked out some of the questions, and took a stab at answering them.

There are questions on biobutanol, gasoline inventories, refinery margins, debunking, ethanol, investing, the future of the oil industry, where to live to ride out Peak Oil, and whether I have now lost hope. I sometimes excerpted the questions, but I linked to the originals so you can see them in complete context.