Record Profits

Oil companies have struck it rich in the past few years -- but they're putting less of their profits into finding new oil supplies.

Since 2002, the ten biggest oil companies have sold $1.5 trillion worth of oil -- and kept $125 billion in profits. That as crude oil prices tripled in three years.

With infrastructure like tankers, pipelines, and refineries paid off -- oil companies have become increasingly reluctant to build any more. That's freed up using those profits for expenses.

Instead, they're investing in existing oil companies -- trying to buy them to get hold of their oil supplies. But with so little work being done to find new oil reserves, and with a finite supply out there -- the price of oil will only rise. (MSNBC)