What advantage in low fuel cost world?

Crude oil costs (inflation adjusted) are now back to $52.50 US from the 2008 peak of  $136.31. While still 50% above the long-term average since 1946 of $41.70 the current oil price has fallen to under half its the 2008 peak. http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation_Rate/Historical_Oil_Prices_Chart.asp

Commensurately, the savings in reducing fuel consumption would have reduced dramatically.


The falls in fuel cost to miners therefore reduce their incentive to invest their own capital in fuel saving apparatus and operations. The necessity of companies such as ERJ in providing finance along with the machinery to save fuel therefore increases.

Overall, I think falling fuel prices and the risks to operations (warranties on generating plant, accident liabilities etc) make ERJ's job in getting installation approval much more difficult even if direct costs remain with ERJ.