Been wondering why the sudden push to open up new areas to oil exploration? Look no further. Major oil companies - think Exxon Mobil - have steadily gotten pushed out of oil sources, often by foreign governments, e.g. Iran, and Venezuela. If you run Exxon Mobil what would you do? Get the government to start a war in Iraq and acquire a drilling opportunity? Lobby Congress for more coastal drilling or drilling in ANWR? A deeper look from the NYT.