What is the OPEC for?
446047
OPEC was created to control the price of oil for the benefit of the main countries the produce it (Venezuela and many middle eastern countries). Before it existed, the oil industry was controlled by western interests the got low prices for the west. with OPEC, prices went up and profits for the people of the country increased. OPEC works by deciding quotas for production of oil. with less oil pumped from the ground, the price can go up.
778742
Click below for much more.\n\n\n\n\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum
173619
Common sense solutions but difficult to implement.\n\n1.  Consumption\nCut down on consumption through reducing wastage.  This can be as easy as switching off aircons or lights not in use.  Another area is the over consumption eg Las Vegas.  It is almost obscene the way the whole place is lighted up.  Encourage use of smaller and more economical cars.  Some cars are just petrol guzzlers for the egomaniacs.\n\n2.  Relations with OPEC\nThese relations are sometimes dictated by politics.  The idea is not to rely on them too much by doing 1 & 2. Anyway, most of these countries elites are just squandering trillions of $ without significant benefits to their poors.\n\n3.  Dependency\nDevelop current technologies in alternative energy sources.  The technologies are available.  The problem is to convince the petrol trading communities to fully support research and utilization of alternative energies.  Can you imagine the nightmares these people such as large oil companies, OPEC, etc are having should someone came up with a viable and sustainable alternative energies?
86957
The theory is that if we treat the Saudi's well they will protect our interests in OPEC
903369
I think it's totally CYA wimpy.  You have passive voice (who is doing the considering?), it's not a fact -- it's only considered, and finally you use the wimp word "relatively."  \n\n"Mr. Bigshot from Outsiderland said in a Busyworld Magazine interview that the OPEC member country is relatively influential."  This covers your ass in a far more authoritative way.  \n\nAlso, "According to a March 2 Busyworld Magazine article, many countries outside of OPEC listen to OPEC Member Country's Name Here's opinions ."\n\nPin it on somebody, OK?  You use more words, but they are words that actually contain some information!\n(-: Good luck.
485345
markets do mainly though some foreign countries/cartels such as Venezuela/OPEC have a lot of say. Economics still out as if price too high people use less. Supply & demand
378052
Supply/demand mostly.  Futures speculation on the future of it at least.  Uncertainly over future supply.\n\nSupply meaning OPEC and those countries that supply a large portion of the world's oil.  Demand meaning the growth of the industrial base of India/China.  The large demand of American consumers with their vehicles.
642020
OPEC is important because its member states account for enough crude oil production that they can influence prices.  They certainly do not control prices to the extent that they did back in the 1970s, but they are nonetheless very powerful.  I've provided a link for you
446335
Major Factors affecting price:\n\n1. OPEC's supply (inverse relationship... lower=higher)\n\n2. cost and ability to refine \n\n3. taxes imposed by local, state and federal government\n\n4. consumption (demand)
871653
Doesn't matter.  We need oil and will burn oil. If the recent price gouging did nothing to curtail our oil use I don't think the oil companies have to worry about loosing any business any time soon.
724
By allowing more drilling in this country. By allowing for more refineries to be built.  by allowing for deregulation of the oil industry.  More oil will be produced, we wouldn't be held captive by opec, and prices would be lower.\n\nAnd everyone quit doing business with China.
371349
There is no shortage, but high demand for it.  Demand is outstripping the supply.  China's economy is growing fast and increasing its demand for oil.\n\nWe are still the largest consumer of oil in the world.
302330
To find the weapons of mass destruction. No, wait, to find Osama Bin Laden. Wait, no, that's not it -- it was to find Sadam. No wait, it was because of oil.\n\nOh, damn, who knows...
361772
The U.S. wants to invade Iran because Iran wants to start selling oil, but not for American Dollars.\n\nLong ago the OPEC countries were told that the US would protect them if they sold there oil only for American dollars. This was shortly after the US stop using Gold to value thier money.\n\nIran wants to start selling Oil for a different currency.  They produce alot of oil. Doing this will start to devalue the american dollar all over the world.  That will be very bad for the Money grubbing slime balls that run the states.
606266
Good question.  If it does, it will be for the oil, same as with Iraq.  Or at least, that is what it seems to most people in the world.
1108094
The National Assessment of United States Oil and Gas Resources prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides estimates of quantities of technically recoverable oil and natural gas that could be added to our already proved reserves in the onshore and State offshore areas of the United States.\n\nit is table format so you should go to this link to look \n\nhttp://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs024-98/table1.htm
50474
Petroleum is a vital part of our modern society. It powers our cars and trucks, building machinery, factories that make our clothes and food, it helps us maintain our standard of living. It can be negative when wars are fought for control of this nescessity or when overusage contributes to global warming or other environmental hazzards