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Automotive Guide Ten Refineries Are out After Hurricane Katrina

By: Lance Winslow
Automotive Guide

Well folks we have all the makings of a mid-1970’s energy crisis. After Hurricane Katrina we lost ten refineries, which probably supply 1 million barrels of production per day. We have platform and drilling rig damage in the Gulf of Mexico. But it is not oil alone you should be concerned about, Natural Gas supplies could potentially be insufficient to meet needs. Not a huge issue now, but it will be come winter. We have not been keeping up in the construction or new Natural Gas drilling over the last two-decades.

Due to low fuel prices prior to 1999 new oil exploration, infrastructure and drilling did not advance as fast as the needs of our nation. Now we are behind the power curve and it is an issue of supply and demand. The President has agreed to release some oil reserves into that the over all supply. Unfortunately the Federal Government needs fuel for war and rescue efforts and it only has enough supply for maybe 60-days. Meanwhile while we have supply, the delivery and refining capacity is at issue, not to mention the transportation problems. We have three very large ports shut down completely and it maybe weeks and rail is out like the Interstate 10 Freeway the mainstay of interstate commerce.

Now we face some serious issues and some experts are predicting $4.00 per gallon now. We all thought they were crazy when they said $3.00 per gallon, yet take a look at the signs today? It is time America think about conservation, perhaps better planning of trips, car pooling and driving at best rates of fuel use. How so? Well use cruise control and drive 55-60 on the freeways, this will keep your cars fuel consumption rates low, once you move much over 55 mph, the co-efficient of drag curve shoot up into a hyperbolic usage scale. Cut down on that wind resistance of high speed, as takes a big toll on your fuel economy. Another thing you can do is not accelerate from a stop, allow the car to slowly break ground (move forward) before touching the gas pedal. You can also think about using the air-conditioner less, use the poor man’s “model 52” air-conditioner drive fifty and roll down two windows. Think on this.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Automotive Guide Tag : Katrina Oil Ports

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