As I am off for the yearly tryptophan fix, let me just state these seven obvious conclusions, which are closer to fact than opinion.
1) Yes the oil companies have been involved in our government at the highest levels. Doesn't matter. 2) Yes, the oil companies are awash in profits which would not be there but for the oil cartel. Does matter, especially since they know clearly that they must reinvest or lose it. 3) Yes "money talks" and Big Oil will protect all of their investments, and continue to invest in whatever give a decent return or whatever the consumer wants for energy. They will be the biggest investors in whatever new technology comes along to replace oil. 4) Yes, oil itself will be replaced, eventually and gradually over time ... but NOT the "oil companies" (not most of them anyway). They can provide related services and financing most easily and efficiently. 5) Yes, the former oil companies, as they transition into energy companies, can easily provide the infrastructure to refill BLP reactors, refuel LENR reactors, supply hydrogen from wind and solar, collect road taxes, recharge EEStor batteries, supply and repair magnetic or ZPE devices, or whatever breakthrough comes along. Doesn't matter what, exactly, comes along -- they will just sign the checks in the end. 6) Yes, these companies are like governmental entities now and they will continue to operate within that same needed framework for the transportation infrastructure - this is the same function that "ministries" and bureaucracies provide in socialist countries. It is needed and will always be there. 7) No, it is not in their best interest to hinder any advance in any new energy technology in any way - since that would only mean that some other government or corporate entity would then be empowered to replace them, and thereby relieve them of the future profits which they can easily collect from any replacement technology so long as they remain active players. That is the capitalist way: agile, quick and adaptable - and only the weak links - the bloated "Generals" like Data General or General Motors, the ones who are too fat and too content to change quickly with the times, get left out in the cold. Look for Saudi Arabia with trillions in the bank, to be an early big (huge) investor in LENR or magnetics, should a robust device or breakthrough come along soon. Its all about the applied and useful new technology ... or lack thereof; and it is a little too convenient to blame big oil for the present "lack thereof". Jones
