EN
In this article fluctuations in the oil prices during the period from 1973 to 2007 have been presented together with the factors influencing them and the effects of those changes on the world economy. In particular, the article deals with the most rapid increases in oil prices starting with the energy crises from 1973 to 1979 - as a result of the policy of the OPEC countries - up to the present day (the growing demand for oil in China, riots in Nigeria and Sudan or an increase in costs of oil exploitation).