That depends on what your definition of gouging is

Oil company first-quarter profits are up substantially over last year’s records. The oil companies say it’s because the price of oil is up.

But the oil companies control both the extraction and production. To a very large extent they set the price.

Yes, multiple complex issues are in play here. But let’s not let the oil companies get away with acting like they are innocent victims of windfall oil price increases beyond their control.