If the rise in imports and utilization manifest this week continues next week, it could apply some downward pressure. Of course, any decline in petroleum prices would be predicated on the notion that the Iranian geopolitical situation remains relatively quiet.

It is typical to see a slight drop in utilization in the first week of the year. This slight drop, coupled with imports, could allow for a slight crude-inventory build.

I think it is easily conceivable that we could see crude futures hit $70 this week.

The government's offer of barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has mitigated some of the upward price pressure on crude oil. The problems with gasoline and natural gas may not be helped even if the SPR is tapped. If refineries are offline and can't run the extra oil, it will make no difference.

We'll use (this as) the marker for the next week or two but come Game 65, if we still haven't learned from that we're going to be way behind the eight ball.

You can tell the regard with which she's held because she continues to get the 'firsts' and rise to the top. She's not somebody who is a gossip.