Despite U.S. oil sanctions against Iran, Iran experienced a 100% increase in refined petrol (gasoline) exports in 2011!
Iranian officials say their gasoline sales in 2011 hit a record $134 million USD! Some of the countries buying Iranian petrol are Armenia, Afghanistan, the UAE, Iraq and Oman (some are U.S. puppet states).
By the end of 2010 Iran became self supporting in petrol production, ending years of dependance on foreign suppliers of refined gasoline. Iran is now a major exporter of refined fuels.
Officials in Nigeria announced plans to increase oil production to 4 million bpd by the year 2020. They are also close to increasing liquefied natural gas production by an additional 20 million metric tons a year, from the current level of 26 million tons. Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa.
Texas oil and gas surplus equipment supplier, Jhump & Associates, is reporting a 117% increase in sales in 2011! But that’s nothing compared to the 300% increase they had in 2010!!!
The Texas based company started in human resource solutions, but has seen a huge boost after they moved into surplus oil equipment sales. They now plan to move into off shore drilling technology. They say their increased sales is due to a huge increase in oil and gas exploration and drilling in the United States. What was that about Obama not doing enough to increase oil production?
In the panhandle of Idaho, and eastern Washington, people are leaving for oil jobs in North Dakota: “I’ve had guys come running through the door, saying, ‘I need my CDL [commercial drivers license] now! I’ve got a job lined up in North Dakota!’ .”-Tina Sykes, Sage Truck Driving Schools
Sage Truck Driving Schools now offers a shortened course for those Idahoans and Washingtonians heading for North Dakota.
North Idaho College is experiencing a jump in enrollment for electrical and plumbing programs that end with apprenticeships in North Dakota.
While educators are warning job seekers to do their homework before heading for North Dakota, there seems to be more than enough jobs available: “We’ve had both types of people, those who jumped in the car and left, and others who did prior research on companies. We’ve never had anyone who didn’t get employment.”-Tina Sykes, Sage Truck Driving Schools
In contrast, Ohio is seeing a seeming rejection of local people for consideration of employment in the oil and gas industry there.
One union member claimed that not a single contractor in Coshocton County, Ohio, has been hired by the shale oil and gas industry: “…I have been a local construction laborer for more than 30 years. I have talked with other construction laborers living in the Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson county areas. They are totally discouraged on the lack of, or in other words zero percent, work they are getting from this construction based shale gas industry.”-Timothy Mulford, Business Manager Laborers Local 134
Chevron reported a $6.5 billion USD profit for the first quarter of 2012. High oil prices driven by speculators was one of many reasons for the huge profits.
According to Visiongain, all oil refineries around the world are now worth a combined total of $46.64 billion USD. Visiongain expects huge investments and developments will be made in refineries until 2022.