GasHole

The film opens with a sequence of archival clips of U.S. presidents discussing the need to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Narration maintains a calm, documentary tone as it frames energy policy as a constant, national battleground. The events span from the Nixon era into the George W. Bush years, underscoring the long-running tension between power, policy, and public concern.

A controversial, almost mythical claim appears: a water-injected 1946 Buick Roadmaster allegedly reached 100 mpg. The documentary describes the supposed technique of humidifying gasoline and increasing pressure to squeeze extra mileage, and it notes that Shell Oil reportedly did not address or verify the idea.

The film cites a 1977 Shell scientists' book, Fuel Economy of the Gas Engine, which allegedly records 150 mpg in a 1947 Studebaker. The reference is presented as part of a broader pattern of extraordinary fuel economy claims that remain unverified in the narrative.

A May 1, 1977 El Paso Times front-page story titled '200 Miles on 2 Gallons of Gas' centers on Tom Ogle, who was later found dead in the desert and whose car disappeared. The segment connects the sensational story to larger questions about fuel efficiency and industry interest, leaving the veracity of the claims unresolved.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, energy hearings intensify as the Senate and House examine the sudden rise in gasoline prices. Lawmakers probe potential industry leverage, while early decisions set the tone for how much testimony would be compelled and how accountability would be framed.

A congressman questions whether oil companies might be profiting from the price surge, while a committee chairman ultimately decides not to compel the CEOs to testify under oath. The exchange highlights tensions between policy objectives and industry power.

Senator Gordon H. Smith observes that Gulf crude is not used on the West Coast, even as prices rise elsewhere. The remark illustrates regional supply complexities and the way politics shapes perceptions of availability.

A November 10, 2005 Chevron statement warns that without rising refining capacity, substantial gains in refining margins will remain unlikely. The claim ties profitability to physical capacity expansion and frames policy debates around infrastructure limits.

Representative Nancy Pelosi argues that Shell's claims about a California refinery with no buyers are misleading, pointing to its profitability and importance to state supply. The segment frames the refinery discussion as part of the broader narrative on transparency and market power.

In the 2006 hearing, Representative Anna Eshoo questions why ExxonMobil would pursue new investment profits if the United States is not building more domestically, and Joe Barton counters that it would be a low blow to weaponize what Exxon has said against them. The exchange underscores partisan and strategic tensions over energy investment and policy priorities.

The film recalls the political influence surrounding energy policy: since 1990, oil companies have donated roughly $49 million to Democrats and about $150 million to Republicans, a pattern the documentary uses to illustrate how money shapes decision-making as prices rise.

The documentary notes a steep price rise from about $1.47 per gallon in 2001 to around $3.12 by mid-2007, highlighting the economic stakes of energy policy and industry actions. The trend is presented as a barometer of market forces shaping consumer experience and policy responses.

Throughout the film, archive footage introduces contemporary figures such as Joshua Jackson and Barbara Boxer, weaving a chorus of voices into the larger discourse on energy, policy, and accountability. Their appearances help to illustrate how politics and public figures intersect with energy debates.