Sorry for the quick second post. The NYT has posted their new edition on the east coast, I don't know if those on the west coast can access it but the story on Shell
here. A dKosser posted on this several months ago, I can't remember whom, but although the authors don't come out and say it I believe the article is getting at the fact that one of the world's largest oil companies is running out of oil.
I can remember that 24 years ago one of the first things that asshole reagan did was cancel all the alternative energy programs President Carter started in response to the oil shocks of the 70's. The younger people on this board won't remember the early 70's but try to imagine gas going from approx 25cents a gallon to $1.50 in some places, in early 70's dollars. It was a huge increase, and I remember it well. I don't think it is a stretch to say the oil shocks brought on the resulting economic malaise of that decade.