[Riddick]

Also, when you say

[ QUOTE ]
"multibillion dollar entrance fee of an oil platform and the multibillion dollar refineries"

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm curious if you are aware how many of these multi-billions in entry costs are a result of government regulation (regulation on exploration, import taxation/tariffs, restriction of refinery construction and output, costs of permits, licenses, lawyers, labor regulations, environmental regulations, etce etc etc ) all of which greatly inhibit competition, reduce any incentive to lower costs and prices as would happen in any fiercely competitive market, and lead to, as you put it, cash cows.