OA did mention many companies failing but not in the detail you have in your first paragraph.<p>Your last paragraph suggests that amortization of the capital used to build the plant is a major factor in the cost per barrel of oil-equivalent. Historically in UK, we have had subsidy (and insolvency!) to offset capital costs for canals, railways, some roads, and some of the <i>early</i> electricity generation (pre-Nationalisation). There have been &#x27;public-private&#x27; partnerships since (i.e. taxpayer takes a chunk of risk) some of which have worked and some of which have been more questionable.<p>Good luck!