[sammyg2]

Asshats.
If the prices move, it's because the speculators (like me) are expecting them to move. I'm not a big player but I do move well over six fugures into and out of this sector.
If you really want to invest in oil, watch the DOE inventories and the API reports. it's there.
Spend ther few bucks to get access to the all of the API reports, consider it an investment in your education.
The movement in the price is tied to those two major indicators, with the exception of things like hurricanes and political problems abroad.

I've been investing in oil for many years and have done a great deal more research than most. If I thought there was even a slight chance the prices were being manipulated by the government (or the oil companies) I would be all over it.