The crude situation is less serious and more manageable than that of refineries. It all depends on how water affected refineries in the area.

190

With damage to crude production, releasing oil from the strategic reserve would be a real buffer and could alleviate the situation.

127

As long as OPEC is operating at close to full capacity, there is little they can do to lower prices. Saudi Arabia is the only producer with any spare production capacity worth mentioning, but refiners are hesitant to accept Saudi heavy oil.

102

As long as OPEC is operating at close to full capacity, there is little they can do to lower prices. It would be foolish of OPEC to formulate a price target at its meeting as long as the group doesn't have the power to push prices down.

95

It's a strong signal to the market that the U.S. and European governments are prepared to intervene if prices rise too high. Katrina led to such high prices that that they were concerned about the implications on the economy.

86