Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Oil Prices to Continue Upward Trend in Years Ahead

U.S. oil prices are expected to rise to $108 per barrel by 2020 and $133 per barrel by 2035, according to the U.S. Department of Energy

by Staff
May 25, 2010
Oil Prices to Continue Upward Trend in Years Ahead

Petroleum and liquid fuels will continue to be the largest energy source worldwide for the next 25 years.(Photo courtesy of Lubrizol)

2 min to read


U.S. oil prices are expected to rise to $108 per barrel by 2020 and $133 per barrel by 2035, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

According to the Energy Information Administration's International Energy Outlook 2010, oil prices should continue their upward trend as demand increases and world economies continue to recover.

"Oil prices have been especially sensitive to demand expectations, with producers, consumers, and traders continually looking for an indication of possible recovery in world economic growth and a likely corresponding increase in oil demand," the outlook said.

According to the EIA, world oil prices increased sharply from 2003 to July 2008, while prices dropped sharply over the rest of 2008. Last year, oil prices started moving upward again.

The outlook also pointed out that petroleum and other liquid fuels will continue to be the largest energy source worldwide for the next 25 years, although projected higher oil prices erode their share of total energy use from 35 percent in 2007 to 30 percent in 2035.

By 2035, total liquid fuels consumption should rise 28 percent, or 24.5 million barrels per day, over 2007 levels, the EIA said. Conventional oil supplies from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) contribute 11.5 million barrels per day to the total increase in world liquid fuels production, and conventional supplies from non-OPEC countries add another 4.8 million barrels per day.

In addition, world natural gas consumption is projected to rise 1.3 percent per year, from 108 trillion cubic feet in 2007 to 156 trillion cubic feet in 2035.

"Renewables are the fastest-growing source of world energy supply, but fossil fuels are still set to meet more than three-fourths of total energy needs in 2035 assuming current policies are unchanged," said EIA Administrator Richard Newell.

For more information about the IEO2010, click here.



More Drivers

Truck driver in a blue-tinted cab beside a hand holding cash, with the headline “Competing for Drivers.”
Drivers•by Deborah Lockridge•October 29, 2026

Why Hiring Truck Drivers Is Getting Harder

Higher recruiting costs, a shrinking driver pool, and renewed pay competition are raising the stakes for fleets heading into 2027.

Read More →
Two red heavy-duty Class 8 trucks with Roehl branding
Drivers•by News/Media Release•October 27, 2026

Roehl Offers Truck Drivers $10,000 Retention Incentive

Payments begin after the first load and continue in mileage-based installments for eligible experienced drivers joining the fleet.

Read More →
PS Coach tablet interface showing a driver’s coaching inbox, safety event video and coaching advice for a harsh-braking event.
Fleet Management•by News/Media Release•October 21, 2026

Platform Science Adds Dispatch and Safety Tools

Four additions to PS Fleet help fleets monitor loads, manage driver coaching, share truck locations and adjust video system settings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man with police badge on his arm by an open commercial truck door examining paperwork
Safety & Compliance•October 15, 2026

When Language Stops the Truck: The Return of ELP Out-of-Service Orders

English language proficiency rules for commercial drivers aren’t new, but renewed out-of-service enforcement has raised the stakes. Here’s what carriers need to know before a driver reaches a roadside inspection.

Read More →
Illustration of silver robot waving his hand and a Samsara AI prompt on screen to call drivers
Fleet Management•by Staff•October 13, 2026

Samsara Launches Custom AI Agent Builder

Agent Studio lets fleets create AI tools for hours-of-service monitoring, reporting and driver support, including agents that communicate by phone.

Read More →
Illustration of trucks parked in lot with Trucker Path app on phone screen superimposed on top
Drivers•by News/Media Release•October 6, 2026

Trucker Path Expands Reserved Parking Network

Trucker Path has added close to 6,000 more truck parking spaces to its Trucker Path Reserved Parking Network with the addition of Safe Truck Parking.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
photo of older driver standing with arms crossed with truck in the background, with a photo illustrating equal opportunity law inset upper left.
Drivers•by Staff•September 28, 2026

EEOC Sues Texas Trucking Company Over Driver Age Limits

The agency says Trancasa USA rejected applicants over 65 and applied tougher driving-record standards to those over 60.

Read More →
Red Nussbaum Class 8 tractor pulling white and red trailer with aero fairings and skirts
Drivers•by Staff•September 23, 2026

Nussbaum, Roehl Announce Second Driver Pay Increase This Year

This year has seen a swath of major truck driver pay increases as freight capacity has tightened.

Read More →
Photo of smiling truck driver Harold Perry with arms crossed in front of Southeastern Freight Lines truck
Drivers•September 17, 2026

From One Generation to the Next: How Mentorship Builds Safer Truck Drivers

After three decades in trucking, Harold Perry shares what he's learned about driver safety, mentorship, and helping the next generation build confidence behind the wheel.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration with driver behind the wheel, an alert sign, and a laptop
Drivers•by Lauren Fletcher•September 9, 2026

Truck Drivers Need More Than Another Alert

Fleets have more visibility into truck health, safety events, and driver activity than ever. The next challenge is turning all that information into useful guidance for the person who has to decide what to do next.

Read More →