here's one...i call it the "gold in the coffe can" theory...to subscribe to this theory you must believe that oil/gold have little connection (other than just basic commodities) and NOT subscribe to that idiotic sales pitch known as "the peak oil theory"....

in the mid/late 90's (gold at $300, oil at $15, +/-) venezuela was hammering on placer (and other companies) to start long stagnant mining concessions...placer said it was'nt feasible and got kicked out...

kry enters the picture, oil begins to skyrocket and chavez has more cash than he knows what to do with....here comes the theory part.

chavez, cash rich from a booming oil market says "hey mang, why do i want to ok those mines in the forest and catch a bunch of flack when i got lots of cash from my oil? besides, the gold is in the ground, it aint goin nowhere...if someting happens to da oil, den we mine da gold".....

personally, (and i know this is'nt popular) i think oil will begin to retreat soon....it's kind of a post bush theory (but thats for another sunday)....