Article

2007-04-03 Terror Networks

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Posted by ryuge 2007-04-03 01:03|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The West's economic vulnerability to interdiction of its oil supply is greatest at the outlet of the Persian Gulf. Sinking a single supertanker there would have even worse consequences than those outlined in the article. Iran can do this anytime it wants.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-04-03 10:29|| 2007-04-03 10:29|| Front Page Top

#2 Rates for a typical supertanker that carries around 2 million barrels of oil have climbed $150,000 to $450,000 per trip. This charge is for the ship only; cargo is insured separately.

Doesn't the US get most of their oil from the Americas, specifically Canada, Mexico and, decreasingly (oh well done, Hugito!), Venezuela? I thought the Middle East sent most of their production to Europe and Asia, which are closer. I do realize oil is fungible, and after a successful attack the price spike would affect US costs, too, but it sounds like the involved parties are already starting to take the increased risks into account... even as Canadian oil sands exploitation increases by leaps and bounds, devastating the surrounding landscape.

Posted by trailing wife 2007-04-03 11:03|| 2007-04-03 11:03|| Front Page Top

#3 And Europe can, at least, take a lot of people out of cars and put them on trains, both for weekend pleasure driving and commuting to work and shopping. Also, in Germany everybody has the windows in their houses open a few inches with the heat going full blast, while the village shops propped their doors open for convenience (the bloody bells!) and to look more welcoming. I don't know what percent of the oil used goes for that, but there is more elasticity in European oil consumption than they admit. I suspect the same holds true for the larger economies of Asia.

Posted by trailing wife 2007-04-03 11:15|| 2007-04-03 11:15|| Front Page Top

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