Whereas they used to have a higher price range, say $17 to $21 [a barrel], now people say prices could be at $11, $12, $15 for a long time, or at least you can't bet your company that they are going to be higher, and that has led to this powerful motive to merge as the next stage of getting your costs under control and spreading them out over a larger base.  -   Daniel Yergin     Quotes
Whereas they used to have a higher price range, say $17 to $21 [a barrel], now people say prices could be at $11, $12, $15 for a long time, or at least you can't bet your company that they are going to be higher, and that has led to this powerful motive to merge as the next stage of getting your costs under control and spreading them out over a larger base. Daniel Yergin