Energy Hostage crisis Update = Forbes article

A recent Forbes article from April 5, 2026 challenges some the facts in my Energy Hostage Podcasts 1 & 2. According to the Writer I am misinformed. Well let's find out, Here is his words.A widespread myth in energy circles is that U.S. refineries are “unable” to process the light, sweet crude produced by the shale boom. The claim tends to surface whenever gasoline prices rise or energy independence becomes a talking point. The argument is usually that the U.S. is producing record volumes of oil, yet still imports crude because its refineries were built for heavier foreign barrels.It’s a compelling narrative, but it’s mostly wrong.Let’s look at the real economics on the ground I just paid $4.30 / gal. For gas today. Two months ago I paid $2.28/gal. That is a 89% increase. That’s the ransom we pay for being held hostage to the middle east when we don’t have to be.The economics for the oil companies is 50 or 60 Billion dollars in additional profits. We pay a ransom while they make huge profits. And He called it economical. It’s a matter of prospective I guess. He doesn't dispute the fact the we still import millions of barrels a day from the middle east, but he claims in his words,U.S. refineries can and do process shale crude every day. The issue isn’t technical capability. It’s economics.Understanding that distinction is critical, because it explains why the U.S. simultaneously exports large volumes of crude oil while continuing to import it, and why that system works far more efficiently than it appears at first glance. Stick with here to find out if it is really economical or efficient or which party it might be both of those things.