This essay is about why gas prices change. It includes background information on petroleum as well as the way the gas economy works.

Why Do Gas Prices Change? When thinking of modern technology, it is hard to think of anything that does not require some type of oil to power it. As a society, we are completely dependent on oil. Oil was formed millions of years from the remains of animals and plants in a marine environment. Layers of mud covered the remains while heat and pressure helped turn the remains into crude oil, or petroleum. The word "…

…EIA Short Term Energy Outlook. Department of Energy. April 27, 2002. <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/special/SummOut/2002/Summogas2002.pdf>. Trench, Cheryl J. Oil Market Basics. EIA's Petroleum Division. 2001. Energy Information Administration. April 19, 2002. <http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/oil_market_basics/default.htm>. Transportation Prices. April 4, 2002. Statistical Abstract of the United States. April 30, 2002. <http://www.census.gov/statab/www/part4.html#prices>.