I always thought the oil bubble was speculation driven, and it now as if the speculators are getting some of the fruits of their work thrown back their way. Many scholars say however that the production of oil in the world will peak soon if it hasn't already and a gradual decline in oil reserves will eventually occur and most certainly drive up the prices up for all time. It is this knowledge that made the speculation driven fuel bubble frightening, not knowing the real cause. The take-away is we need to develop alternative energy far more quickly than we are, in order to be ready when the real wolf of depleted supply finally arrives. Many nations are already doing the alternative thing, but here we have been insulated from it by previously cheap oil.