Pump it Up

Despite a US Energy Information Administration report that global oil reserves are 10% higher than in 2011, due to the discovery of 345 billion barrels of shale oil, don’t expect lower pump prices. This is because unlike Alaskan oil, shale oil comes from hundreds of small wells, with high production costs. If prices fall, pumping will cease. Thus, shale oil will only act to cap or dampen price rises.