This is one of the issues that have my mind in a contradictory state.
The Norwegian in me shrieks at the inequality of petrol prices across the Atlantic.
Here we are producing 3.270.000 barrels a day and using about 200.000 barrels ourselves. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that our petrol prices should compete with the highest in the world.
As Redleg said the cost of buying oil and refine it to petrol is pretty much the same all over the world.
In a nation that have more money than they can spend (no debt), why on earth should they tax something that they sucked out of the seabed and refined on own account.
Unless they want to be THE PIONEER in world environmental issues. Be the good guy that everyone looks up to, so to speak.

On the other hand I am glad the US consumes 20.000.000 barrels a day and only produces 8.840.000 (2nd on world ranking producers) of them themselves because that keeps the oil price up and money in my pocket.
However low oil prices do create a need for new technology and more work for me.

It does create a strange emotion in this patron... insanity?