[Nexagen]

Having worked for Exxon/Mobil and having talked to some specialist about refineries here is what I have come up with to explain to you all why the gas prices are so high right now.

#1 - Inflation
It's a problem we just cant ever get rid off and as more and more people come into this world more and more cars will be in demand resulting in higher consumer demand for gas leading to higher gas prices.

#2 - The Saudis are'nt exporting that much gas this year.
From what I've heard the saudis have cut back oil exports by as much as 590 Million gallons of oil and dont expect to return back to normal exporting amounts until November of this year.

#3 - Goverment Regulation on Cleaner Summer Fuels
In the summer the government gives laws to refineries in which they have to comply with a more expensive mixture of gas that will not polute the environment. With a more expensive formula that refineries have to follow in the summer, prices at the pump go up as well.

#4 - Refinery Maintenance Repairs and Costs
Starting in the fall and all the way till the end of spring every year refineries have to undergo a "Tune-Up" or a yearly maintenance to keep everything working. This means human labor through various contractors which costs refineries millions of dollars to hire. This is what they call a Turn-About and refinery contractors work around the clock 24-7 to re-build key refinery structures to ensure full operation of a refinery.

#5 Gas is a LIMITED resource and we've been using it for more than a century now to power up our vehicle's engines. Another century more and we will really be low on gas to the point where I think cars will be obselete. It is my opinion that a war will errupt over who is the last nation to hold and control this resource and I hope it does not require nuclear force. We are seing it now with the war in Iraq but not necessarily directly, rather more indirectly.

#6 Blame it on the Gas Guzzlers!
If we all drove Motorcycles, Civics, Honda Insights, or Geo Metro. We would have more than enough gas to last us for another century. Sadly we dont. It is my personal opinion that the world supply of gas has been severely affected by the millions and millions of V8 and SUV Owners around the world. How about we give them a big round of applause?