oil strike

Just last month (January 2008) the Anglo-Dutch oil firm Shell reported annual profits of $27.56 bn (£13.9 bn), a record for a UK-listed company. Much of the rise in profits was attributed to rising oil prices, which have nearly doubled since last year. However, the level of profit announced has been described as "quite frankly obscene" and clearly doesn't sit well with many drivers who are paying a premium to fill their cars at petrol pumps around the country.

The oil company itself went to great lengths to stress that little of their profit came from petrol forecourts, with the majority of the price paid at the pump already going straight to the government. Very reassuring.

So, if you think you can make more money than Shell, have a go at the game below where you have been drafted in as the managing director of your own oil exploration company. You will have to answer questions on oil and fractional distillation to ensure the smooth running of the company.

play oil strike