The oil shocks

In 1960, the main oil-producing countries are the OPEC to defend their interests and against oil prices on a downward trend. Today, the role of OPEC is still important in establishing the price of a barrel. 

The geopolitical situation in several oil producing regions evolves sometimes unstable, and in 1973 it was the first oil shock . In France, this period coincides with the strong development of the park power , decided only a few years earlier by President De Gaulle. In parallel, the actions of energy control are carried out (the cutting waste , and the establishment of the time change , which should help to reduce energy consumption). In 1979, the second oil shock . In 1982, the situation stabilizes again, and it is gradually entering a new era of "cheap oil". Many projects using alternative energy sources , launched during periods of oil shocks, will be stopped prematurely due to lack of economic competitiveness (plant solar and geothermal , etc.). Since the early 2000s, prices rising again. Most experts now think it's the end of cheap oil and that oil prices will be subject to a sustained rise. Some alternative technologies gradually revert to the mode ( wind , solar , wood energy and biomass ), by financial incentive mechanisms, and economic appeal against a barrel more expensive. 

In late 2007, the price of a barrel of Crude briefly surpassed the psychological threshold of $ 100. But today we talk about ending the era of cheap oil, not an oil crisis . It's all about action and choice semantics. The fact is that since March 2008, oil seems to remain above the $ 100 / bl.