Tag: oil

R&D from Prepd: OPEC Production Cuts

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On October 11, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) planned production cuts.  After spending more than a year trying to keep prices low in an effort to hurt Western oil production, the oil cartel appears to be jettisoning that agenda and is moving to reduce production by 700,000 barrels a day.  The planned move caused U.S. crude oil prices to increase by 8%, although some analysts think that OPEC needs a larger production cut in order to generate more revenue for member states.  OPEC members such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela have been devastated by low oil prices, which have strained government budgets.

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R&D from Prepd: Dakota Access Oil Pipeline

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On September 20, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the controversy surrounding the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline project.  The project aims to carry more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil through North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa, but Native American groups are protesting its construction, arguing that the pipeline borders tribal lands and that they wish for the construction of renewable energy resources.  The protests have been joined by other liberal groups and celebrities.

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R&D from Prepd: The Global Oil Market

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On February 23, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the state of the global oil market.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently reached a deal with other producers such as Russia to freeze levels of oil production in an attempt to stabilize oil prices.  The agreed upon freeze will see producers cut back to January levels, but observers are still skeptical that the deal will hold.  Global oil prices fell below $30 per barrel at the end of last week and Iran is deemed as a wild card.  The Islamic Republic says that it can abide by the freeze, but it also wants to increase production after being freed from Western sanctions.

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Collapsing Oil Prices (2014)

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On December 16, 2014

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

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Since June, the price of oil has plunged 40% on the international market in response to economic slowdowns in Europe and Asia and a glut of supply from the Middle East and North America.  The falling price of oil, near $60 a barrel at the time of the writing of this brief, has been a boon for nations that import fossil fuels.  It also provides much needed stimulus for consumer-driven economies such as the United States as people are able to take the money they would normally spend on high gas prices and direct it to other economic activities.  However, the falling oil price has worked against some economies that rely largely on the proceeds from oil exports.  Countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Nigeria, among others, are now left wondering how they will react to the sudden fall of global oil prices and the decisions that they make could determine whether their current governments survive.

This topic brief will cover the reasons for the collapse of global oil prices, how the falling price will affect the United States economy, and how prominent oil exporters will be affected.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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R&D: Collapsing Oil Prices (2014)

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On December 16, 2014

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on collapsing oil prices (2014).

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Topic Brief: Oil

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On June 12, 2008

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

Overview

So, with it being NFL time and all that, we here at Extemp HOTtopics decided to revisit the topic of oil.  Now I’m sure you are all saying: “We’ve already talked about OPEC and how monetary policy affects oil prices.”  While that is true, this briefing is going to be a little different.  Specifically, since it is so late in the season, this briefing is going to focus a little less on facts and a little more on strategy.  Thus, while we will cover some new issues regarding oil (mainly the windfall profits tax) this briefing is more about explaining how oil as an issue can be the save all “I need another point” saving grace of extempers.  Therefore, this brief will go over some basic oil things that everyone should know, then examine how you can use oil to add a new level of analysis to all your rounds (including domestic social), and finial pose some non oil questions and give you an idea of how oil can be used to make your analysis more slick… Get it? Get it?

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