one newcomer, sam lefrak a new york city landlord declared war on o.p.e.c.ause they drove the price up so high it now became economically viable for us to go deeper and drill right here for oil and gas. in 1972, at least 40-60% of america's known reserves remained trapped in rock pores and fissures. expensive, enhanced oil-recovery techniques designed to extract more oil could greatly add to the nation's reserves. by allowing this source of oil to follow the world price, the government encouraged additional research and exploration. but this oil boom was soon stifled. in 1975, to protect consumers from dramatic oil price hikes, president gerald ford put ceilings on all domestic oil. this discouraged domestic production and left us more dependent on imports. then in december 1978, iran, racked by political upheaval curtailed production of crude oil. cut off from this major source, oil prices to the united states again more than doubled. frustrated consumers were reacquainted with the energy crisis as long gas lines reappeared. oil suppliers put pressure on th