VOA标准英语2014--能源专家认为伊拉克动荡将导致油价上涨

 

Energy Experts: Iraq-Driven Oil Price Rise Likely Temporary 能源专家认为伊拉克动荡将导致油价上涨

World oil prices are at their highest levels of the year as escalating¹ violence in Iraq threatens to disrupt exports.

As a major oil-producing nation, Iraq's political stability is crucial keeping energy prices steady.

But energy analysts² say there’s no reason to panic — yet.

As OPEC’s second biggest oil producer, Iraq pumps out more than three million barrels per day, which is why territorial³ gains this week by an al-Qaida splinter group in oil-producing regions are giving energy markets a case of the jitters⁴.

But the threat may be overblown.

Depending on how long the conflict lasts, only a small increase in gasoline and heating oil prices are anticipated, says Andrew Ricci, a public relations account supervisor⁵ with Levick Energy, a Washington-based public affairs and energy research firm.

“The real impact that it’ll have on the United States is that it’s going to empower the arguments for advocates of energy independence, energy stability and clean energy sources.”

Oil prices have been relatively⁶ stable for the last four years, partly due to lower demand in developed countries and the rise in alternative fuel sources. There’s also the prospect⁷ of currently untapped oilfields from Libya to Iran, says Reuters energy columnist⁸ John Kemp.

''First of all, we saw South Sudan, then Libya, then Nigeria," he said. "Iran's oil has been kept largely off the market by sanctions, and, now, we're seeing mounting problems in Iraq, all of which means that you can see lots of oil in the future. But in the near term, the market remains⁹ fairly balanced."

But much will depend on whether insurgents¹⁰ are able to gain a permanent foothold in Iraq.

Although the threat of instability has helped push oil futures¹¹ to highs not seen since last September, the threat of further disruptions may be limited.

Energy analysts say Iraq’s most productive oil fields — some 80-90 percent of total capacity — lie further to the south, in areas unsympathetic to the Sunni-led militants¹².

1 escalating   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的现在分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The cost of living is escalating. 生活费用在迅速上涨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The cost of living is escalating in the country. 这个国家的生活费用在上涨。 来自辞典例句

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

4 jitters   

n.pl.紧张(通常前面要有the)

参考例句：

• I always get the jitters before exams. 我考试前总是很紧张。
• The whole city had the jitters from the bombing. 全城居民都为轰炸而心神不宁。

5 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

8 columnist   

n.专栏作家

参考例句：

• The host was interviewing a local columnist.节目主持人正在同一位当地的专栏作家交谈。
• She's a columnist for USA Today.她是《今日美国报》的专栏作家。

9 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

10 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

11 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

12 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。