It’s common knowledge that the US, where live 4.5% of our planet’s population, accounts for 25% of global oil consumption. Traditionally, the American model of oil consumption has played a great role in forming of world oil prices. But now I can see that the US influence on it becomes less and less. In spite of the stagnation of demand for crude oil in the States, the global oil demand still outreaches supply. A significant part in it plays thriving economies, such as China and India. Asia has already left the US behind and become the main global oil consumer, owing to the China. Now, when the US has practically lost its ability to understate oil prices in its interests, prices on crude oil will go up with a leap. According to the OPEC forecasts, by the end of 2009 the global oil demand will increase by 1.3 bbl/d and it will lead to high prices. Surely, OPEC won’t extend oil extraction to arrest the rise in prices. No wonder, for them there is much to gain from high prices. And I really doubt that industrialized countries will manage to influence on it. Yes, they can reduce use of oil, make work hours at industrial enterprises shorter, and step up efforts in the area of alternative fuel development. But I don’t think it will plug the gap. The whole situation makes me think that we’ll meet the upward ratchet of oil prices in the near future.