OPEC = Still weak

Another insane week in energy. OPEC trimmed another 2 million barrels per day, but did anyone care? Not so much. Frankly, this thrills me. I’m giddy over here. OPEC is angry about falling prices, OPEC cuts production, prices fall $3.50 yesterday and $4 today. I feel like Shaq on stage at a Miami nightclub. “Kobe, how’s my ass taste? OPEC how’s my ass taste?” I’m not even going to dignify their “news flashes” any more. From now on, they will be called supply ‘cutes’ as they are clearly not worthy of the name ‘cuts’. The 600 pound gorilla in the room remains demand, but it’s looking more and more like the rest of the room is empty: there’s just King Kong.

Speaking of King Kong, it is official that Brock Lesnar is the biggest star in the UFC. Though they were only his first three fights in the organization, he was the most purchased PPV name in the organization’s roster. Apparently the economy isn’t so bad for Zuffa, as Lesnar’s last fight, where he took the title from Randy Couture, was the 2nd biggest UFC event ever. Even more importantly, of the 10 most purchased PPV events of 2008, 7 of them will have been UFC events, assuming the card on the 27th qualifies, a lock given the talent on that card.

Speaking of that card, we’ll be watching it, most likely at the parents’ house. Possibly the first UFC card with a legitimate three main events, this is the second most talent to ever compete at one event on North American soil, only behind this year’s debut of Affliction. Forrest Griffin defends his Light Heavyweight title against Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson faces the man who beat him twice, Wanderlei Silva, and is looking to earn a shot at getting his belt back, and Minotauro Nogueira defends his interim Heavyweight title against Frank Mir, with the winner meeting Man-Bear-Pig Lesnar in 09.

OPEC = weak

OPEC announces 1.5 million barrel per day cut, crude falls 3.50.

Let’s hear it for the artists formerly known as a cartel.

European gas prices

I received this at work. It contains some recent figures on where gas prices are in a few European nations and compares them to what we are paying here in the States. $3.70 per gallon (where I live) is not a lot of fun, but this does help put it in perspective.


U.S. Department of Energy Retail Gas Prices by Country (Table)
2008-04-10 15:59 (New York)

By Terry Barrett
April 10 (Bloomberg) -- The following table provides changes in the retail price per gallon of premium gasoline by country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The average price in the following six European countries is $8.37 per gallon, 135.9 percent more than the United States.
===============================================================
----------April 7 (Diff.)
----------2008 (from US)
===============================================================
Belgium $8.44 ($4.89)
France $8.15 ($4.60)
Germany $8.22 ($4.67)
Italy $8.11 ($4.56)
Netherlands $9.24 ($5.69)
U.K. $8.08 ($4.53)
U.S. $3.55 (n/a )
===============================================================
NOTE: Prices include taxes.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy {DOE }