I think the continual cost increase is due to 1. Buyers paying more due to "fears of supply", (CNN), 2. oil producing countries that want to get all they can, and 3. if you can believe it, our own companies gouging. Have you seen the profits for Exxon Movile, etc, etc. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't profits posted after all expenses are removed from gross sales? Record profits? Doesn't that mean that even tho' all expenses are paid, "research" being done is paid for, that they are still reaping in the mega bucks? Hmmmmm
Of course I could be wrong. As the CEO of of a major oil company said in an interview, "If you don't like paying out prices, don't use our products."