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It is said that we here in America have more oil than any other country. Then why is a quart of motor oil so expensive?

10 Answers

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  • Ranger
    Lv 7
    3 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Because you are paying world oil prices. American consumers are competing against foreign consumers for the oil, that means America consumers must meet or beat the prices foreigners are paying for American oil.

    The U.S. had a law that forbid exporting oil from America oil wells. The Republican Congress and Senate repealed the law protecting American consumers. The result is the oil companies make more profit and the American consumer pays higher prices.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    I remember when a quart of oil was 19¢!

    When I started doing automotive mechanic work in 1972, I regularly bought oil by the case (24 quarts) for $6.00

    Oh, I forgot to answer your question!

    Answer: Profit margin

  • F
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    Try coming to the Uk, then you'll see how expensive oil products are.

  • 3 years ago

    We don't set the price no matter how much oil we have.

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  • 3 years ago

    Expensive is in the eye of the beholder. Oil has to be pumped out of the ground, shipped to a refinery, processed, packaged, shipped to retailers and shops. And everyone along the way has to earn a profitl

  • Anonymous
    3 years ago

    Motor oil is DIFFERENT from crude oil. Crude is the oil that is pumped out of the ground. Motor oil is PROCESSED crude. You have to pay for the processing.

  • Ron
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    Oil prices are based on world markets. Unless you want to go full Venezuela on our produced and refined oil, that's how it will stay

  • Anonymous
    3 years ago

    a) America doesn't have more oil than any other country, but they USE more oil.

    b)A quart of oil isn't that expenses before federal and state taxes are added. That's one of the biggest costs next to the cost to bottle it in individual quarts and then ship it to retail outlets.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    Everything retails at a marked up price.

  • Anonymous
    3 years ago

    It is a free country and oil companies can sell oil to whoever they want wherever they want. So it is priced in line with that of the Free World!

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