[vent] Nonsense. It's impossible for futures trading to drive up spot prices because the value of futures contracts sold by sellers (who expect prices to fall) equals the value of contracts bought by buyers (who expect prices to rise). The net effect on the market must be zero. Besides, the futures contracts are paid for in cash, not oil. They're nothing more than bets on which way prices will go. Thus, futures trading in oil is like people betting on a World Cup match in progress - there is no effect on the outcome.