Towards the end of 2010, the average price of the reference basket of crudes was around $90/barrel, which was $15 higher than in December 2009 and more than double the market values at the end of 2008 (approximately $41/barrel).

One of the initial consequences of these events was upward pressure on the price of crude (on 22 February the WTI spot crude price increased $7/barrel) and, in general, on all primary energies that are marketed internationally. Some OPEC countries decided at the beginning of March to increase production.

Price variations continued during the initial months of 2011, in a very volatile market that was highly dependent upon news about the expected economic recovery.

During those months, the price of LNG on the spot market increased in Europe. Events such as the definitive close of seven nuclear reactors in Germany (35% of its nuclear capacity) and a firm market in Asia placed upward pressure on the market.

On 14 December, OPEC agreed to keep pumping 30 million b/day, indicating that there was an increase in the speculative levels in the commodities markets.

The IEA pointed out at the end of November that the global economy was at a more critical moment than during the 2008-2009 crisis, when crude prices were lower.

Since 2009, natural gas has continued with the trend of remaining detached from the price of crude, especially in the US. However, due to the increase in the price of crude during 2011, gas exporters have continued to keep the indexing to the Brent barrel.