You're obviously not an accountant who can gin up all sorts of expenses that quickly zero out any profits...on paper.  And with no State audits of these claims, we're essentially taking them at their word.

If the oil companies are hurting that badly, why did their CEOs get paid so much last year?

ConocoPhillips - $17 million

ExxonMobil - $28 million  

Chevron - $19 million