And Bob, if this pipeline shutdown is already driving oil prices up, are people expecting the prices to go even higher?

NPR: Marketplace Report: Prudhoe Pipeline Shutdown

Rahall was asked about U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's announcement about the oil pipeline shutdown between Syria and Iraq and calls for tough sanctions against Syria.

CNN: Lawmaker: Syria vows not to harbor wanted Iraqis

The report showed U.S. refineries slowed down production last week, possibly affected by the four-day shutdown of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline after a leak was discovered.

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To be sure, a complete shutdown of its output would be difficult: the country has several export outlets and some redundancy in pipeline infrastructure.

ECONOMIST: The oil markets are jittery