by GoIllini » Fri 24 Jun 2011, 17:26:44
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pedalling_faster', 'S')audi Arabia was recently trash-talking Iran, talking about how the Saudi's would raise output to decrease prices to hurt Iran. though how hurt would Iran be, with 100 billion barrels ?
The country is already experiencing a lot of social unrest due to high food prices. At the same time, it's also funding Hezbollah and a government crackdown in Syria. Perhaps Iran is overextended.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'i')n any case, to me it is something that the Saudi's are willing to accept 91 increasingly worthless US $ for 1 real barrel of oil.
The USD is, in a sense, backed by the world's most powerful military and 35% of the world's agricultural productivity. When oil demand growth slows in Asia, the USD gains in value to it. In principle I don't disagree with you that long-term the USD is a sucker's bet when we have nearly 11 months of GDP in debt and we're paying 2.9% interest for a 10-year term, but in the short term, it seems like oil is the riskier bet.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]in the face of huge demand for both gold & oil, this week at least, it was easier for TPTB to manipulate oil down, providing the illusion of increased value for the US$. until you consider the gold-oil ratio.
in summary, i'm not sure what conclusion to draw.
interesting to watch, though !

What I'm seeing in all of this is that there's at least a temporary attenuation in Chinese economic growth and US oil demand has peaked or plateaued for the forseeable future. From a personal finance perspective, the American consumer maybe doesn't see peak oil, but it's clearly occurred to him that life is actually a lot more fun when they drive a compact car and live in a 1500 square foot house but don't have to worry about credit card debt. I don't think anyone is expecting exponential growth in their lifestyle let alone being able to have the life they had in the '90s. More importantly, the 20-simethings are also adjusting.
From a Malthusian perspective, 2008 was the peak on the partially-j shaped s-curve for the US., and we now seem to be gracefully adjusting to our new normal- probably a 1970s-style lifestyle as long as we can sustain 80-90 quands of energy production. I don't think anyone is expecting exponential growth in their lifestyle let alone being able to have the life they had in the '90s.
Finally, we're seeing more production coming out of Athabasca and North Dakota.
So my conclusion is that the US and European consumers are adapting to a world with less oil for them. China is hitting some bumps on the road to growth in its economy, and that's also reducing demand.