NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The energy crisis is over. You just might not be that happy with the ending.

The last four years has seen a nearly unprecedented surge in oil, gasoline and natural gas prices.


A global economic boom - fueled by Brazil, China, India, Mexico and the United States, among other countries, has sparked a ravenous new appetite for fuel that left producers scrambling to meet demand.

And this summer a combination of events hit the oil market, including a messy switch in gasoline blends, fears of another tough hurricane season, unabated gasoline demand and war in the Middle East. And oh yeah, a truckload of speculators pouring "hot money" into the market.