Oil

AT a time of record gasoline costs and surging oil prices, oil companies are in an increasingly uncomfortable position. They are blamed by both the public and Congress for the current energy crisis, but complain about being hamstrung in their own search for energy sources.

Before heading to Saudi Arabia for an emergency energy summit this weekend, David J. O


…Q. Oil prices are headed for their seventh straight year of gains. Why such a sustained run-up in prices?

A. This is a case of demand-driven increases. The time we could count on cheap oil and cheap gas is ending. In prior periods, you